How I Teach

   Many a Sunday morning I can be seen toting this and that from car to class in preparation for a wonderful learning journey. The beguiled glances lead to curious questions ... What on earth do you do? I teach. When I teach my desire is to engage the entire being of the child..I want them to experience the lesson with every fiber of their being. My husband use to say I would stand on my head if it meant they would remember it..and he is absolutely right! Let's walk through a sample Sunday lesson.

   The room is set and little ones are arriving. First thing in the door each sweet face is greeted and welcomed, but name if possible. Right inside the door a 'discover table' awaits them. This week we are learning God made heaven and earth from Genesis 1, so our discover table holds a zip bag of soil, some leaves, some pine cones...an orange, apple and carrot. Generally this catches their eye right off the bat, sparking questions. Here is my opportunity to introduce the lesson concept..we share how God made the orange or the soil. They have the freedom to play creatively .. touching, talking, and sharing.
    Just off to the side from here a kitchen area is waiting for those who lose interest in the discovery table and are ready to move on. Home living/family skills are an important part of play and learning ..and can be tied to most any lesson we share. God made our earth where our homes are and our families live..He made our family. As children play with baby dolls and kitchen items teachable moments are captured.
     A book nook is always available for a child who needs some one on one (or a distraction). Some children just want to sit close to you and read...sometimes it's just talking about the pictures, but here is an opportunity for one on once interaction. Good quality books - relating to the lesson, if possible are on hand.

     Everyone has arrived and attendance is taken..we have had plenty of little chats while they freely choose from the available activities. I am blessed with helpers in the room, so together we work toward tidying up the room and getting everyone on their feet in the classroom open area. Finger play and traditional children's hymns are sung with active enthusiasm. We giggle and sing all while getting the wiggles out before the lesson time. I keep a hand made flip book to help children choose a song or game to do next...sometimes we just draw a blank and this little tool is a great tool.
     Winding down we head for the story board; finding our spot on the floor with eager eyes and listening ears. Today we are using flannel pictures to help us with the story. The Bible open, we tell how God made the trees..and a child comes to help place a tree on the board. The next verse tells of flowering herbs..so a flower is placed on the story board..etc. Images are taken down as we review what we have learned...sharing other things they may have thought of (such as, God made the clouds in the sky).  Prayer is given thanking God for His beautiful creation and His Word.

      Today we have a puzzle to share with pictures of Old Testament lessons. Eagerly the children work to find parts that go together- each of us helpers choose a section of the puzzle and as children find the ones that go together, we all work to put them in place. Often the puzzle is taken apart an redone several times before we put it away..here, cooperation and identification bonds the class together offering unique interaction.

      If time still remains before we go home, a craft comes out. This give the children a visual reminder to take home and share. Today we have a coloring page with images from our story board to color. We sit with the children allowing conversation to flow freely. As the craft winds down, play dough is requested..and, of course, I have mine on hand. We mold and shape snails and trees, leaves and snakes...cleaning up just in time to head home.

       I love teaching..it is my passion, and I believe you should share what you are passionate about. Having been in classes again recently myself, the professors that truly stirred my soul are the ones that flow with energy and enthusiasm about their subjects. That's the kind of teacher I want to be. Hearing and seeing the imagination and creativity of these little hearts feeds my soul and drives me forward to the next time we meet. It always amazes me when their thinking gets going and wonderful nuggets of wisdom start to pop out.