4 Reasons to Attend Students’ Extracurricular Activities

Do you support students’ efforts in extracurricular activities?  Do you attend their sporting events or geography bees or Spanish club dinners?

This week both of us had the opportunity to attend middle school musicals. Both shows had all of the elements that you would expect in a student performance. There were students who forgot their lines and awkward pauses when someone didn’t enter stage on time. There were singers who missed the high note and more than a few bumbling dance moves. In typical school musical fashion, the girls outnumbered the boys five to one. It isn’t Broadway, but who’s complaining?

We loved every minute of it.  We can forgive the missteps and forgotten lyrics because we understand that there is a higher purpose.

Middle school musicals are not about perfection, they are about getting in the game. They are about exploring a new side of yourself, about trying something out and seeing if it is a fit. It is about having fun and learning to do something that is outside of your comfort zone. It is about spending hours in rehearsal to take your chance on stage. It requires that you learn to be vulnerable and develop confidence in yourself.

These things are true of all extracurricular activities. Developing life and social skills is an important part of the process. Students learn to work together. They strengthen work habits and have opportunities to develop leadership skills. They get to engage in physical movement while challenging themselves in new ways.

This is why, in an era of budget cuts, people fight to keep extracurricular activities in the schools. It is why teachers and coaches spend countless hours for little pay guiding students to develop skills that have little to do with standard curriculum. It is why, despite the outcome and despite whether students win or lose, their activities matter.

Students often care deeply about their extra-curricular activities. Attending students’ extracurricular activities can help teachers to build positive relationships and earn respect in the process.

How do teachers benefit when they attend students’ extracurricular activities?

When you see students outside of the school day you get to see a different side of them. 

Who knew that quiet boy in the back row could be a ham on stage?  Who knew that the little girl who forgets her homework is a star on the balance beam? You’ll often be surprised by which students are the leaders and which students have talents you didn’t even know they had. Sometimes it is easier to see students’ potential in areas other than academic achievement.

Students love it when you are there to witness their shining moments. 

Sometimes kids do hit the high notes, or break a speed record. They win championships and have their artwork displayed in exhibits. When we watched those middle school students taking their curtain call, we witnessed their pride in their achievement. Even the students with the smallest parts were beaming. When the back stage crew came out, took each other’s hands, and bowed dramatically, they got a standing ovation. These are special moments for kids and they will be proud that you witnessed them at their best.

You have the opportunity to interact with parents in a non-threatening and positive environment. 

Unlike parent teacher conferences, you don’t need to prepare for discussion with parents at school events. You are all there for the common goal of supporting the students. They will likely be happy to see you and remember your efforts in supporting the school. You become a part of the community and one of “us” which lessens any potential adversarial relationships.

You build a positive rapport with students. 

Students know which teachers come to their events. They like seeing you outside of the classroom and will often interact with you. It is a sign that you care about them, not just their classroom work. They will respect you for taking the time to be with them. The result is a deeper connection with students, and that often pays off with a more respectful relationship in the classroom as well.

Your teaching days are busy. You already struggle to get everything done. Your home life calls to you. It is easy to pass up the opportunities to go watch students engage in their outside of school activities. You don’t have to attend everything, but we urge you to make an effort to attend some events. You’ll be glad you did.

So, go on, buy the tickets to the French Club dinner. Watch the track meet. Attend the music program. Chaperone the dance. You will come away with a new understanding of students. You’ll get to engage with parents in a positive and non-threatening situation. And ultimately, your students will gain respect for you as someone who cares.

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