We often talk about helping students connect classroom learning to the real world, but what does that actually look like in practice? Real-world connections don’t always mean planning elaborate projects or field trips. Often, it starts with designing lessons that reflect students’ lives, interests, and future goals.
When learning feels connected to something meaningful, engagement grows. Students are more likely to participate, reflect, and retain information when they understand how it fits into their world, or the one they’re preparing for. By grounding instruction in authentic, real-life connections, we help students see value in what they’re learning.
If you’re thinking about how to build those connections, try using these reflective prompts during your lesson planning process:
Interests
- What topics are your students currently interested in?
- What kinds of media, trends, or hobbies are they talking about outside of class?
Experiences
- What do your students already know a lot about, based on their backgrounds or lived experiences?
- What challenges or opportunities have shaped the way they see the world?
Issues
- What current events or social issues are on your students’ minds?
- What issues—local or global—should they be aware of, given their context?
Change
- What opportunities do students have to make a difference in their school or community?
- How can your lesson encourage them to take action or engage with a cause?
Authenticity
- How can students produce work that feels real and purposeful?
- Are there formats, audiences, or tools that mirror how work happens outside of school?
Advisors
- How could students benefit from hearing from adults with real-life experience?
- What community members or family connections could serve as informal mentors or guides?
Experts
- Who in your community (or virtually) could bring your lesson content to life?
- How can you help students see how your subject connects to real careers or industries?
Adult Work
- What real-world roles or responsibilities could students explore in your lesson?
- Are there decisions, processes, or problems they can engage with from an adult perspective?
Portfolio
- What can students create that they can save or showcase in the future?
- How can you design tasks that build a sense of progress over time?
Future
- How does this lesson connect to life after school—whether in college, a career, or daily living?
- How can you help students understand the long-term value of what they’re learning?
You don’t have to answer every question for every lesson, but even a few thoughtful connections can shift a lesson from routine to relevant. When students recognize that learning ties into their reality and their future, it becomes something they want to be part of.
Want a version to reference as you plan?
Download the Real-World Connections Question Guide and keep it nearby during your next unit or project.
