Let's Talk Trains - 10-15 Year Olds

Completed by 21 learners

Ages 10-15

Live Group Class

Talk to me and other railfans about trains - freight, passenger, heritage units, anything railroad related is game!

Rachel Raum (she/her)

Average rating:

4.9

Number of reviews:

(400 reviews)

Star Educator

Popular

Live video meetings

1x per week

3-6 learners per class

45 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

1 live meeting

45 mins in-class hours per week

Class Experience

Young train hobbyists, or rail fans, can sometimes have a hard time finding like-minded kids their own ages.  Once kids move out of the Thomas and Chuggington phase and on to real-life trains, usually their fellow hobbyists they see out in the world are adults.  This class provides tweens and teens an opportunity to talk to their peers about trains and other railroad topics.  They can chat about their favorite engines, great places to watch trains, what cameras they like to use, how to decode what they hear on their scanners, and anything else they can think of.  

I will help guide learners' conversation, encouraging active listening and clear communication.  If conversation stalls, I have all manner of fun questions and jokes to get kids talking.  If students would like to show off photos or videos they have of trains, they can send them to me the day before class to preview and I will screen share during class.

In addition to getting to talk about trains, this is a great opportunity to practice social skills, communication, and active listening.  We will practice giving supportive feedback and making sure everyone has an equal opportunity to talk.  For those learners who find talking in class intimidating, while I will frequently give them the opportunity to share, they are welcome to pass and just observe until they feel comfortable talking.

This class is great for:
- students who love to watch, learn about, and photograph real trains
- students who love to ride trains
- students who love learning about the history of the railroad
- students who enjoy model railroads or other toy trains
- students who want to share their love of all things train and rail

If students would like to communicate outside of class time, parents should message each other to help their children connect.

Other Details

Language of Instruction

English

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Rachel Raum (she/her)

Joined July, 2018

4.9

400reviews

Star Educator

Popular

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

I have been a homeschooling mother for 19 years to four children with very different learning styles.  I have taught countless classes to homeschoolers over the years, ranging from Latin to art history to astrophysics.  I've also assisted students in leading their own educational groups, such as book clubs and social justice clubs.  For four years, I traveled the United States full-time in an RV with my family; we visited 46 states and enjoyed everything from viewing amazing wildlife in National Parks to entertainment and great food in some of the biggest cities.  We've now settled down near the beach in sunny Florida.

I believe in meeting children where they are and tailoring their education to fit their needs.  I believe that the best education a child can have is an education they feel they have ownership of.  Children learn and retain information best when the subject has personal relevance to them and when they are guided towards their own discovery of knowledge.  One of my favorite things about teaching here on Outschool is watching children grow in confidence and learn through play.

Dungeons and Dragons is one of my favorite hobbies - I love everything about it, from writing stories and reading lore to painting miniatures and making detailed digital maps to laughing with my learners and being surprised by their creativity.  I love other games as well - if it's not D&D night at my home, we play video games (Gartic Phone and Mario Kart are current favorites) or board games.

Creating a safe, affirming, and anti-racist classroom is my biggest priority.  Whether students identify as LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, socially anxious, or if they need support in any other way, I provide gentle encouragement and the space for them to be themselves while having fun.