The Power of Experience Based Learning!

By Melissa Harvey, Principal at Bobby Summers Middle School.

In Fate, Texas, our middle school embarked on a journey to redefine our teaching through the lens of experience-based learning. It began with a simple comparison group list, where the school's performance was benchmarked against others of similar demographics in our area (In Texas, we are given Comparison Groups by the Texas Education Agency).

What emerged from this analysis was a realization: one school was excelling at a higher level, prompting us to visit our neighboring school. This visit would change our thinking, and possibly teaching, moving forward.

Upon stepping into this innovative environment, it became evident that a lot of the same beliefs were in place.

Yet, one thing was different and AMAZING!

Experience-based learning was at the core of their success. What exactly does this entail? It's about creating intentional experiences around every aspect of student learning. Whether they are teaching grammar or thematic elements in 6th grade English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR), the focus is on ensuring that learners leave with more than just knowledge.

They leave with vivid memories.

The secret behind this transformation wasn't about extensive training or a new program. Most of the teachers did come from elementary backgrounds, where they understood intrinsic excitement and effectiveness of hands-on learning. With this insight, they seamlessly know about small group dynamics and student-centered approaches while teaching their middle school curriculum. But more importantly, their experience learning game was off the charts!

At the heart of experience-based learning is immersion.

Students are not passive learners of information but active participants in their education. From themed decorations, music, and role-playing, every part of the lesson is created to engage and captivate middle school minds.

During our visit, a 6th-grade grammar unit was brought to life with a gallery walk to solve construction-themed sentences and paragraphs, complete with hard hats and yellow vests for both students and instructors.

They were dedicated to making this lesson memorable.

When we asked these teachers about these details, they stated that every year they think of another detail to make the lesson more memorable.  

Witnessing these practices firsthand; the gallery walk allowed small group interactions and fostered collaboration, while movement and mixed grouping kept students energized and engaged. But the best thing was the joy radiating from both students and teachers because of the personalized attention teachers gave to creating this lesson by dressing up, using construction words, and the music that was directly related to the theme.

Every moment was full of purpose.

This transformed the learning journey into a positive and enriching experience. The concept of experience-based learning isn't merely a theory—it's backed by research and evidence. Some of these techniques are more prescriptive. Seeing this in action was a revelation for my team. Despite the hard work involved, the simplicity, creativity, and sheer fun of it all were undeniable. Inspired by this visit, the decision was made to try this approach school-wide. Every core area left our neighboring friends with the decision to try and give an experience of learning to a unit in the coming months.  

At my middle school we believe in Professional Learning Communities and we believe in the Fundamental Five by Sean Cain. With these solid foundational frameworks in place, we realized an experience-learning approach to teaching met the learning goals of these frameworks. Here is how easy it was…

Our 6th-grade math team incorporated a March Madness theme into their probability lessons. The probability unit falls in March allowing students to have a current context.  Staff bought basketball hoops that fit over doors for review games and encouraged students to predict tournament winners in groups as a project.

But what about the students who aren't interested in basketball?

Well, the 6th-grade teacher team had a solution! They also offered options such as writing an article about a team, recording a podcast, creating a song and lastly broadcasting an event. These alternatives allowed students with creativity to showcase their understanding of the standard, while also providing English second language learners with an opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of language content.

I recently read “The Power of Moments” . It was funny, the authors Chip & Dan Heath emphasize the significance of defining moments in our lives—those meaningful experiences that etch themselves into our memories.

These moments often occur unexpectedly.

A chance encounter with someone, guidance from a mentor that sparks a lifelong passion, or a profound insight that prompts deep self-reflection. However, according to the Heath brothers, we needn't rely solely on happenstance for these experiences. They suggest that we have the power to intentionally design moments that evoke elevation, insight, pride, and connection.  

I felt like this even solidified what we saw in our neighboring middle school. Why didn't I think of this? Every moment matters when you give 30 seconds, to your staff, parents, and/or students.  Teaching & Learning is the same. Our middle school students are so excited. They have embraced this first experience-based learning and asked to wear jerseys on Friday.

By prioritizing these immersive experiences, personalized instructional moments, and student engagement, they've unlocked excitement for learning. As other schools seek to enhance their strategies for success, I hope they can look to this example as something easy to try and consider the Power of a Learning Moment that might be. This does not have to be hard. Think about planning a learning moment more intentionally, more special than it was before, and grow on it.