How often do you seize the opportunity to teach in the midst of difficult worldwide events? Do you take the opportunity to explore and explain history as it happens?

Events such as the recent oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico allow teachers to design powerful lessons worth teaching and learning. Moreover, helping students turn negative events into positive learning experiences is a practice that can be used their entire lives. Since issues like this affect students in real time, students become personal investors in their learning.

The adage, of course, is that mistakes are only mistakes when we fail to learn from them. It's precisely this fact that makes events such as the Gulf oil spill worth studying.

Lessons can be developed for nearly any subject. For example, geography class could track the oil spill spread. Science class experiments could explain how oil spills affect habitats. English class could have essays on reactions to the oil spill. History class could track updates in the news and record progress.

Here are few oil spill classroom resources to help! As always, screening outside lesson content for appropriateness is necessary.

NASA Oil Spill Activities

The New York Times  The Learning Network Oil Spill Classroom Ideas

Crayola "Don't Spill the Oil" Activity

National Wildlife Federation Oil Spill Activities

National Geographic Cleaning Up Wildlife after Oil Spills or Liquid Density and Oil Spills

Excellent lessons usually make room for class discussion. Here are a few ideas of questions to ask.

Why is this happening?
Who does this affect?
What events lead to this?
What can we learn from this?
How can we help?
What can we do to prevent this in the future?
What is the real problem and is there a solution?

It's the beauty of teaching that allows Christian educators to choose lesson content or support materials to help students understand stewardship and God's world. This fall, help students learn better and teach them how even difficult world events have worthwhile lessons! It's time to take of the gloves, so to speak, and to discover that every moment is a teaching moment.

Has your Christian school discussed the oil spill in class? How do you use significant world events to help teach students?

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