CLC Specials
by Annabelle DeAngeloFor two hours each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, CLC students partake in two specials classes. These classes take place in a variety of locations, such as classrooms, the kitchen, the library, and the Big Room. Specials are an enjoyable method of teaching students new skills. For the most part, students enjoy specials. However, there is a flaw in the specials system. Unlike standard classes (such as math or ELA), the majority of specials teach the same thing at the same level each time you take them. Since there are a limited number of specials and they teach all students as if they are on equal academic levels, retaking specials is a problem. The first time you take a specials class, you are taught a new idea or skill. The next time, you may expand your knowledge on the subject. After taking the same classes many times, classes are no longer challenging. Specials that are not challenging or interesting become boring. When students are bored, they stop paying attention. When students stop paying attention, specials become meaningless. There are many benefits that come with challenging specials, but if classes are not engaging or challenging, students will not receive these benefits. According to edweek.org, challenging specials classes help students improve their focus. Participating in a fun, challenging, and engaging activity proves to students that not all classes are dull or stressful. Once students begin focusing on their extracurricular classes, their grades generally improve in their standard classes. edutopia.org claims that specials support standard classes. They support this claim through a study that included 400 students and 25 teachers. In the study, students and specials teachers found five skills or hobbies that they shared. After talking about these skills or hobbies and developing a friendship, students’ grades were raised in standard classes. edutopia.org goes on to say that they believe specials classes help teachers foster students’ focus and interest in standard classes. Challenging extracurriculars are important because they promote student focus and learning. CLC specials should become more challenging as students age. If they did, the average CLC student’s focus and grades would improve. theclassroom.com says that specials are perfect for finding new activities, preparing students for high school, and finding a job. A variety of fun specials present new hobbies to students. Students may take a special, decide it is fun or interesting, and then continue practicing the skill outside of school. A variety of specials can also help students prepare for high school. Specials classes can help teach students how to take more difficult classes. Specials can also act as a coping mechanism. After taking stressful classes, an enjoyable art or music class can help students relax. In addition to helping students find hobbies, specials can help students find jobs. Specials can teach students skills that other teenagers may not have. This can be seen as an advantage when applying for a job. If CLC provided a better variety of specials, older students would be better prepared for high school. If parents saw that CLC graduates tend to do well in high school, they would be more likely to send their kids here. This shows that a better variety of specials would benefit the students and the teachers. In conclusion, retaking specials is a problem. If we made specials more challenging or added new specials, CLC students would receive many benefits. Their grades would improve, they would find new hobbies, they would focus during class, and they would be better prepared for high school. If specials classes were more challenging, and if there was a better variety to choose from, both students and teachers would quickly see the benefits that come with a great specials program. |