One thing I often hear is, “how will this affect me when I leave here?” This usually is asked in exasperation over grammar verb tenses. My answer is, “I don't know. But neither do you. You have no idea, really, what you'll be doing 20 years from now and if you don't learn it, you will be limiting your choices.” I try to encourage the students to seek knowledge beyond the classroom and just for the joy of knowing things.
So far, I'm not sure if I've been successful at all.
“I really have tried to model curiosity and checking references for odd bits of knowledge”
I totally agree with you.
I do crossword puzzles everyday. When I get to the point where I can’t answer any more clues, I look up the answers and fill in the boxes in red. Then at night I go online and read everything I can find about the clues that are in red.
Great knowledge and vocabulary builder.
I have often thought that if I were a teacher, all my quizzes and tests would be in the form of crossword puzzles.
Most businessmen and owners will say English, and being able to express themselves, is vitally important for success. Kids will either know how to write or not and if they cannot, they will not advance in their chosen profession.
If you get one kid to do this then you have changed a life for the better - that is an awesome thing.
Blessings
Mel