Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom
The following is a list of ideas for students who what to extend their learning beyond the classroom.
-Some ideas may already be incorporated into one or more of our teams.
-CBMS does not specifically endorse any of the programs listed here. Any program that exist outside of CBMS should be reviewed carefully by parents and caregivers to determine whether they fit your learner's needs.
-These ideas are only a start...talk with your student to determine what they are interested in exploring and search out possibilities that work for you.
-Talk with your teachers, specifically in the area of interest, to discuss options for more creativity and deeper breadth of learning. Be willing to become more creative with, and inquisitive about, your own learning.
Create a service project.
Write a story.
Become an advocate for a cause you are passionate about.
Search out artistic and cultural experiences to attend and learn from.
Help an elderly neighbor and/or record stories about their childhood experiences.
Set a goal and get started with it (climb a mountain, enter a triathlon, or learn a new instrument).
Research a topic that really interests you and become an expert.
Create a multimedia project. (Blog, web page, vlog or similar).
Explore summer camp options - Check out Kids VT Magazine. They always have a great listing of options around VT which is usually updated around Feb/March of each year. Camp experiences can range from your traditional sleep away camping experiences with sports, swimming, and sailing to very specialized camps that hone in on specific interests and experiences.
Explore Adventure Learning/Experiential Education - Again, the options are varied.
For kids interested in history and politics or the political process look into becoming a Legislative Page. A student my serve as a page during their 8th grade year only, and must submit an application by September of that year. If students are interested, it is worth discussion with your social studies teacher, and principal during the latter half of your 7th grade year.
Create a VT History Day Project - This is open to any student in grades 5-12. Some CBMS teams will create a project as part of their social studies curriculum, but students could do it independently as well.
Participate in creative problem solving competitions like Odyssey of the Mind or Destination Imagination. Most of the teams start close to the beginning of the school year, so check with your teachers or school administrators early to find or create a team.
Participate in the Young Writers Project. For extra practice with writing and creativity.
Global Leadership Opportunities - Most of these are geared to high school students, but they are something to think about for the future, and could potentially be worked in to four year planning and multiple pathways at the high school.
Get involved with community theater or music groups.
Check out programming at your local library. While you are there, check out lots of books! Most libraries encourage patrons to borrow more than one or two books as it boosts their circulations numbers! You can also download Library Apps like Libby on your personal e-device and borrow print and audio copies of your favorite books!
With your parents permission, take something apart and try to figure out how it goes back together. Can you improve it, change it, or learn something about how it works?
Volunteer at an organization. Many non-profit’s run with the support of volunteers and have lots of different opportunities for folks of all ages.
Animal shelter
Special Olympics
Senior Center
Food Shelf
Ronald McDonald House
Local Day Care Center
