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Summit School of Ahwatukee Sixth-Graders Get a Glimpse of the Real World

“Why do I need to learn this?” This is a question that all teachers hear. As adults, we know that what we learn in school sets the stage for many of life’s successes. However, students sometimes need to hear that message from someone other than parents or teachers. Thus was born the Real World Writing Project, which gives sixth-graders a chance to see how what they learn in school is used in the real world.

The Real World Writing Project is the brainchild of teacher Lori Christianson and is part of sixth-graders’ Language Arts experience at Summit School of Ahwatukee. It is designed to show students how reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills are used on the job. Students undergo career and aptitude counseling that helps them to identify a career of interest. They then locate an adult employed in that field and schedule an interview with them to discuss their use of those Language Arts skills on the job.

It’s much more than an interview, however. Students are responsible for calling the interviewees themselves to set up an interview and must also write a business letter, confirming the interview. Classroom preparation involves working cooperatively to generate interview questions on the topic and mentally preparing for an interview. Proper interview techniques are discussed, including attire, eye contact, and of course, how to shake hands.

The actual interviews are fraught with stress and excitement. Students’ comments ranged from, “It was the most exciting thing I’ve ever done” to “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done.” Parents shared that watching their child present himself professionally was like getting a glimpse of the adult the child will someday become.

When the interviews were over, an informative essay sharing what the student had learned about reading, writing, listening and speaking skills on the job was written. The adults interviewed helped students see the importance of writing clearly and correctly and that the style of writing used in texting and casual email is not appropriate for the world of work. The role of good listening skills was emphasized in problem-solving situations. Reading carefully and critically to understand others’ views as well as to keep current in one’s profession was also regarded as important. Lastly, good grammar and excellent manners were considered crucial when speaking to others.

The essays also reflected on what the student had personally gleaned from the experience and how this new knowledge would be applied to the child’s present schooling and in the future. Universally, students agreed that the skills taught in Language Arts applied to any career and were a significant part of any adult’s success in life.

The final steps of the process include writing a personal thank-you note and sharing the essay with the interviewee via email. The project will soon be over, but the lessons learned will last for a very long time.

Some of those interviewed include the following:

Mr. Bob Melvin, Manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks

Mr. Rich Fennessy, President and CEO of Insight Enterprises

Mr. Scott Hairston, Left-Fielder, San Diego Padres

Mr. Cedric Ceballos, Phoenix Suns

Ms. Lynne Agnello, Senior Vice President for Marketing Partnerships, Phoenix Suns

Ms. Michelle Rubino, Executive Director, Ahwatukee Children’s Theatre

Dr. Judy Pendleton, Pendleton Pediatrics

Dr. David Ott, Arizona Orthopaedic Associates

Dr. Bill Sanborn, Chemist, Pacific-Scientific EMC

Ms. Wendy Harrison, Attorney, Bonnett, Fairbourn, Friedman and Balint

Ms. Deborah Larusso, Madison Avenue Day Spa

Dr. Alex Mackenzie, Veterinarian, Foothills Animal Hospital

Ms. Barbara Olivieri, Chemistry Teacher, Seton Catholic High School

Mr. Tom Kloss, Band Director, Peoria High School

For more information on the Real World Writing Project, kindly contact Lori Christianson at 480-403-9529 or lori.christianson@summitschoolaz.org