Partner Event
Planning Guide Select where you are in your real world learning journey.
Getting Started
Set your goals and understand your commitment.
Finding Partners
Who from the real world will interact with your students?
Preparing
What do you need to be ready to launch?
Launching
Connect your students with real world learning experiences.
Following Up
How will you follow up with everyone after the experience?
Reflecting
Did you achieve your goals?
Getting Started
Understand goals and commitments
Find a community event that matches what your students need and is aligned with your curriculum
Write down your vision and identify student learning goals for the event. Use the RWL Activity Planning Worksheet
Contact your school administration/district to clarify details regarding permission slips, transportation, supervision, and costs
Supporting materials that can help
RWL Activity Planning Worksheet
A blank worksheet designed to plan the activity
Finding Partners
Who from the real world will interact with your students?
Reach out to the event hosts to ensure the event can accommodate your students
Request additional information on event to prepare students
Preparing
What do you need to be ready to launch?
Arrange transportation (if needed)
Send and collect permission slips and any other required documentation for students
Do a lesson(s) with students on networking etiquette and professional soft skills (see Lessons 16 & 17 for examples)
If chaperones are attending, prepare them to be on the same page regarding student expectations and etiquette
Have students research who will be at the event and what will be happening
Ensure students know the dress code and logistics of the event
If the event is very large, have students make a plan to prioritize their time
Launching
Connect your students with real world learning experiences.
Enroute check-in with students to make sure expectations are clear and they feel confident
Attend the event
Take pictures and videos to document the event
Monitor the event to ensure students are maximizing their time and having positive interactions
Tips
- Encourage students to record people they meet and document interactions. This can be done in small notebooks to debrief the experience.
- To encourage students to connect with more people you may set a minimum number of people to interact with or create a scavenger hunt.
Following Up
How will you follow up with everyone after the experience?
Write a thank you note to the organizer if you worked directly with someone
Have students write a follow-up note or email to at least one person they connected with at the event
Tips
- Have students write about their experiences and share with the local community or arrange interviews with the local newspaper and media outlets
Reflecting
Did you achieve your goals?
Reflect on the community event with your students (see Student Reflection)
Reflect on the community event yourself (see Teacher Reflection)
Share about the experience with teachers and families
Tips
- Share your story. It will help spread good ideas and gain support from others. You can blog about it, share it at a faculty meeting, send out a press release, etc.
Supporting materials that can help
A sample reflection sheet to use after a presentation.
A sample reflection sheet to use after a presentation.
