“Talking about important things” is not for show: how to conduct a lesson so that there is a response

“Conversations about the important,” which take place on Mondays in all Russian schools, have become part of the updated Russian education system. Schools receive enough work materials to carry them out. However, this is only a help, because the main thing in such extracurricular activities is the contact between the teacher and the student. Feedback when a child can not only listen and hear, but also be heard. Teachers shared with MK how best to establish such contact.

The need has been there for a long time

Why was there a need for “Conversations About What Matters”? Both parents and specialists have an answer to this question. As Irina Yolkina, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Head of the Department of Scientific and Organizational Activities at the Institute for Educational Development Strategy, said at an open parent meeting, the need to create an education program arose a long time ago, and “Talking about important things” is a natural part of it, implemented in extracurricular activities.

Experts note that not everything can be discussed in class, where, as a rule, organizational issues and disciplinary issues are discussed. But children have so many questions and needs related to spiritual and personal aspects! And here it is very important to get the right guidance from an adult. According to a survey of Russians, we received interesting data about what topics schoolchildren are interested in discussing during the extracurricular lesson “Talking about Important Things.” So, for example, the main interest is in issues of patriotism (33% of all Russians surveyed) and spiritual and moral education (22% of all respondents), as well as family values ​​and traditions (33% of Russians surveyed).

“The tasks were set on how to tell children in an accessible form about the main directions – environmental, spiritual, moral, historical, how to educate the younger generation,” added, in turn, Anna Timofeeva, Deputy Director of the Department of State Policy for Management in the Sphere of General Education of the Ministry of Education. – We are not talking about educational material. We are talking about a person – about his action: what shaped his character, why motivated him to do this or that action. These are materials that complement the topics covered in the history lesson, that is, they further broaden the children’s horizons and allow them to look beyond the scope of the lesson.”

How to reach a student

Teachers do not need to come up with topics for such lessons themselves and look for working material: they are provided with them at the federal level, providing ready-made solutions. However, there is variability in the choice of both the form of presentation and the methods of working with children. What skills help you get feedback?

– At “Conversations about Important Things” I try to explain the topic to children through examples. And the video material that is on the federal website helps a lot with this,” Maria Sergeevna, a class teacher from the Moscow region, shared with MK. – Since my guys love stories from the lives of celebrities, I try to show videos with those personalities who may be interesting to them and act as an authority for them. For example, in a lesson dedicated to Mother’s Day and family relationships, I included a recommended video interview with the family of singer Sergei Zhukov. He, his wife and teenage children talked about their family traditions. So, once a week they lit a candle and arranged gatherings at a sweet table, during which children and parents openly told each other about their own mistakes made over the past week. During such a conversation, no one has the right to reproach each other – you need to listen, understand and forgive. The artist said it right: each family member is a small piece of love. I know for sure that this video sunk into the soul of my guys.

“According to my observations, in the classes “Talking about Important Things,” my daughter responds well to the worksheets, where you can be creative and express your opinion,” shares Polina’s mother from Rostov-on-Don, Svetlana. “So, during a lesson on the future of Russia, the teacher invited the children to make words out of letters that characterize their country, as well as perform other exciting tasks dedicated to their homeland. She also handed out paper cut-out clouds in the colors of the Russian flag and invited everyone to write down their dream – how they see Russia in the future. My daughter suggested: “Beautiful and prosperous,” but her classmate was not at a loss and wrote: “With flying cars and blasters.”

“Speech clouds are a wonderful idea,” confirms child psychologist Elena Vasilyeva. – I know that teachers often use them now. – The cloud itself is an image that evokes positive emotions, calming and setting up a warm, frank conversation. A cloud in tricolor colors is absolutely beautiful. Thus, the child already on a subconscious level perceives his country as something close and dear. I recommend that teachers use speech clouds more often.

And history teacher Alexey from Siberia draws attention to the role of friendly discussion: “Once in class, the guys and I argued: “What is more important – family or comrades.” I suggested that they divide into two teams and each give their opponent arguments in favor of his point of view. And then he explained the topic using examples from the lives of historical characters. This is where my own knowledge and the materials I downloaded from the federal website helped. In general, if a teacher sincerely wants to reach children, if he is not indifferent, he will reach them.

Photo: Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation