Telling Students Why

How many times did I hear the question, "When am I ever going to use this?"

I taught math for 25 years before I developed and taught my Strategies of Success program and heard that question more times than I'd like to say. I'm not sure I always had the best answer to that question. Where indeed will some of them ever use the Quadratic Formula? I knew they needed a varied education. At their tender age, they were unaware of all the possible futures that lay ahead of them. But I didn't really understand their need to question until I began teaching my Strategies course.

Kids needs to know. The same two year old who was always asking, "Why is the sky blue? Why do the leaves fall off the trees?" is now the teen wondering why he or she must learn something in class. Other than the occasional wise guy, they truly want to know the meaning and purpose of the things we're asking them to do. And when we tell them as I did in Strategies class or at least told them that they were welcome to ask, it changed everything. They were more accepting of the lessons I presented and more open to the activities I challenged them with.

We adults aren't much different. IKEA, the Swedish furniture store knows that. You can find the answers to our potential questions posted all over the store. "Why are the boxes usually flat?" So they'll be easier to store for them and also for you as you take your items home in your car. "Why are there plants on the roof?" Because they want to help balance the environmental impact of their big box building.

Letting us know the 'why', helps us to understand their viewpoint and gives us a reason to continue the relationship. It helps IKEA build trust with their customers. Students who are privy to knowing why we do what we do are not much different. Open the door to why you teach the way you do and why the different lessons of your subject matter are important and teens will become a partner during the school year you share.