by B. Taylor

Created on: November 13, 2008   Last Updated: June 13, 2010

A well rounded education is one in which students are exposed to a wide variety of subjects. A well rounded education provides the opportunity for students to explore and potentially excel in these different and yet interconnected areas.

In a well rounded education, each subject is taught because of its intrinsic value. In other words, we don't teach music just because we think it will help students understand mathematics. We teach music because music is an important and integral part of the human experience.

When all subjects are given equal importance, the students will make connections that are lost to those with more limited educations. While spending time reading the works of Aristotle, for example, students will be exposed not only to great philosophies but also to ancient scientific concepts (that were often incorrect.) They will have a basis for studying the history of scientific discovery, and a good foundation for learning accurate scientific concepts. Better yet, they will be better trained to continue to make scientific discoveries of their own, if that is what they choose to do when their education is "complete."

That being said, a person with a well rounded education understands that education is never "complete." There is always something more to learn, another book to read, another activity to be involved in, another debate to have. A well rounded education prepares a student for a lifetime of learning by showing them that everything is connected. When we act upon our interest in one area, we can have our eyes opened to connections that we did not expect.

The lesson plans developed to provide a well rounded education are different from more traditional, one subject only lesson plans. For example, in Create a World, students develop an entire culture on an imaginary island, and write about it. In order to successfully complete the project, they must learn and think about political structure and government, economics, and law and order, to name a few.

They will also utilize their creativity to develop their new culture's mythology, which requires the study of mythology and religion through history. They will develop art and music for their island people. The more they know about art and music, the easier it becomes to apply this understanding to such an intense and creative process.

A well rounded education also provides the opportunity for many experiences outside of the traditional classroom. A well rounded education allows students to use different learning styles. For example, all students need to go to museums. Children especially benefit from hands-on exhibits, but the chance to learn in a tactile manner is given on a regular basis to students enjoying a well rounded education. Well rounded educations include field trips to other venues as well, such as the theater and music and dance performances.

A well rounded education is expensive to provide, but the benefits (including what former students are able to give back to society) are priceless.

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