On my school visit I cover a book within a book. They both have valuable lessons for middle graders.
In addition to the anti-drug message in Never Less I will also talk about how Pablo and Mindy find their authenticity. After my school visit I leave them with my eight-step guide.
By reading excerpts from Never Less I show them how to build authenticity in the same way a house and a novel is built, with a foundation of plot, and windows and doors through which characters can come and go. And, on my school visit I’ll show them how authenticity is built, starting with resiliency and courage.
This is an empowering school visit to give students a way to fight street drugs by drawing on their own authenticity–what I call their “inner home.”
I look forward to discussing this further with you.
Contact me at:
geoffrey@geoffreywellsfiction.com
or call me at (646) 919-0002
Why am I doing this?
When I say “it” I mean the fentanyl industry, from soup to nuts. It’s an ugly business, but it’s not complicated when students–and readers of the book–understand that it is all driven by greed.
EMPOWERING STUDENTS:
I believe students can be empowered to fight not only fentanyl, but street drugs generally. This inquiry-based process will also allow them to connect with the larger issues of inclusivity and differentiation, while at the same time uncover an understanding of the fentanyl industry, a callous, money-grubbing beast, which is blind to the tragic suffering of millions of families.
What are those larger questions?
From a middle grade student’s point of view their indirect or direct exposure to this crisis is probably hearing about an overdose…or experiencing one! However, seeing the bigger picture will help students see it for the criminal enterprise it is, with far reaching implications, some of which are:
- How street drugs are trafficked
- The connection to prescriptions
- Gang involvement
- Manufacturing street drugs
- International supply chain
…just to name just a few.
The adventure is fun
but engagement comes from inquiry-based learning.
Inquiry-based learning and socratic teaching is the approach I take in your classroom. Along the way students will expand their vocabulary. New words like vicarious and resilience open up a new understanding of the world they’re facing.
I believe in placing students at the center of their learning experience and encourage them to ask questions, explore, and discover subjects that come from the book. This approach has numerous benefits for both students and educators.
Learning is enhanced when coupled with the emotional weight
of an age-appropriate story like Never Less.
They will love following Mindy and Pablo’s gripping adventure to save her dad!
Here are some compelling factors I weigh in inquiry-based teaching:
Fosters Critical Thinking:
Inquiry-based teaching encourages students to think critically and analytically. By posing questions and seeking answers, students learn to evaluate information, draw conclusions, and develop problem-solving skills.
Promotes Curiosity:
This method ignites students’ curiosity and intrinsic motivation to learn. When students have the freedom to explore topics that interest them, they are more likely to engage deeply with the subject matter.
Encourages Active Learning:
Instead of passively receiving information, students actively participate in their own learning process. They become investigators–like Pablo and Mindy who actively research and act to solve their problems. They become creators of knowledge, making learning more meaningful and memorable.
Develops Lifelong Learning Skills:
Inquiry-based teaching equips students with essential skills for lifelong learning. They learn how to formulate questions, gather and assess information, and adapt to new challenges—skills they will use throughout their lives. In the context of the lessons in Never Less, these challenges will protect them from succumbing to the lure of street drugs.
Enhances Collaboration:
Collaborative inquiry projects encourage teamwork and communication skills. Like Pablo and Mindy, students often work together to solve problems, share ideas, and learn from one another, preparing them for real-world collaborative environments.
Tailors Learning to Individual Needs:
Inquiry-based teaching allows for differentiation, enabling educators to tailor instruction to individual students’ needs, interests, and abilities. Pablo and Mindy come from diverse backgrounds, however their common goal to save their fathers gives the teacher the opportunity to form personalized inquiry-based questions around this subject.
Increases Engagement:
Students are more engaged when they have a say in their learning. Inquiry-based teaching can help reduce disinterest or disengagement in the classroom. Mindy and Pablo’s adventures provide a great launching pad for engagement.
Reflects Real-World Problem Solving:
Inquiry-based teaching mirrors the way professionals approach real-world problems. It prepares students to face complex challenges by teaching them how to research, analyze, and develop innovative solutions.
Fosters a Love of Learning:
Ultimately, inquiry-based teaching can help nurture a lifelong love of learning, which is a gift that will benefit students far beyond their time in your classroom.
