We find the passion in passion-based learning through a simple question: “What do you want to make?”
That question works for 90% of kids — they all have something they want that they don’t have or which doesn’t exist — and thus passion-based learning begins.
For the other 10% more questions are needed — what do you like? What don’t you like? — which get us to to, “What do you want to make?”
Is it music? Is it writing? Is it a cricket bat? Is it a trainer for baseball pitchers? a go kart? a phone case? It doesn’t matter, it’s the way in for engagement and our curriculum.
Passion-based learning is one of our Seven Pathways https://www2.k12albemarle.org/dept/dart/digital-learning/Pages/Seven-Pathways.aspx#&panel1-1 and it aligns with our Maker-infused curriculum. We see “maker” as child created context, and we believe this is where education must go.
- Ira Socol
