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Dream Course

Using crime novels to teach critical thinking sounds like a fun idea - something that can be even done before college. There are games and puzzles in this genre but bringing it into formal curriculum is a different level. 

I was talking with a high schooler recently about electives he enjoys at school and is often the case, kids want to try things that are not obvious choices for them - an element of surprise is fun when they tell the adults about what they find interesting. This kid was no different - we saw him in new light. He had demonstrated that he had interests that went a very different direction from playing sports - something he is very focused on. 

Imagine a course like this was being taught at high school as an elective by a retired police detective. I am going to guess that class will be sold out. Generally finding a way to get the student's attention on a topic and making the lesson durable are the goals a teacher would strive for. This course fits the bill well. I recall being taught how to make mousse the right way in my high school cooking class by a pastry chef from a top hotel in Mumbai. The guy was visiting family in our town and his mother who taught in our school decided it would be great of us kids to learn from him. While making the perfect mousse ended up being too difficult for me, I did learn that being really good at something and wanting to do it every day is what it takes to be really happy at work. This young man was clearly living his dream.

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