Be 'Real'

  In my experience..kids can spot fake a mile a way. If my desire is to reach their hearts with the love of Christ, showing He is real, then I need to be real as well...but what does that mean?
    Being real to a child means showing them who you are. I am a farm girl and through the years of sharing the realness of my every day life: gardens, flocks and stocks, has opened doors for conversation and sharing. It shows them where we have a common bond..i.e. a love of animals, pets in our lives or growing things. Simple aspects that spark conversations and give us a connection we might not have had. Children may only see me in my classroom..so being real gives them a glimpse into the me they have not seen. Glimpses of my life enter my classroom through objects shared in a story, pictures that aide in a lesson, or conversations had during play.
    Some time being real is in the response to things. One day a child shared their hurt feelings over her parents' correction in response to her action. Now, to the child the parents were unfair because her intention was to play with her sibling not harm her. We talked about the reality that her parents responded to what they saw and understood..not out of unkindness or cruelty. Parents are real..they make mistakes..and so do I. Sharing my own humanity about making mistakes helps, and sharing that we I needed forgiven for my mistake helped this little one to forgive as well. They don't need too many details or too much information, but knowing we struggle in the same way gives validity to the lesson shared.
   Real can is being honest. Admitting your having an off day or your tired. My classroom atmosphere is generally energetic and creative, but there were just days I didn't have it in me. Here in come being honest...sure we did our work and we learned and played- not with the usual level of vigor, but I was honest with them in that I wasn't mad at anyone or sick.I was just having a tough day. Again, no details are needed and the issue doesn't need to be overly dramatic..but reassurance comes when it is clear no one is mad or in trouble. We got through it and returned to normal the next time. They have off days, and there is strength in the reality we do too.
   Finally, being real- in my opinion- means being forgiven. I mess up..sometimes I react before I have the details..or correct without the whole picture..I need to be forgiven. The most powerful message can often be admitting our weakness/mistake and making it right by seeking that forgiveness. If I have wrongfully corrected a student and the truth has come to my attention, I believe in admitting that wrong and asking forgiveness. Modeling this simple yet difficult act teaches far more powerfully than simply talking about it.
   In the end, most things are caught rather than taught. I would rather what they caught was real in hopes they realize the realness of their parents, siblings, friends, and ultimately their Savior.

  

What I Teach.. A Conviction

   I love a good story..even more so if it is a true one. Guess what..children do too. There is a growing concern in my heart over the mindset that children cannot handle stories from the Bible, but instead need cartoon edited, watered down happy thoughts. They don't. I have never seen benefit or purpose in using such 'curriculum'...therefore I do not intend to. So, instead of the 'popular trend' what do I teach?
   Since the beginning of my journey of serving through teaching it has been my practice and passion to teach the Bible..as it is in its true form..line upon line, precept upon precept as it is written. Period. From creation to crucifixion to His glorious revelation the Bible itself is filled with amazing stories, truths, and instructions little ears need to hear and know. Can they handle it? Yes.
    When I prepare for a lesson my first step is to read it. I read my text as soon as I know it is my task then I read it again and again over the days until I teach it. Familiarity with a passage lends me freedom to engage my group with eye contact and interaction..it frees me from being 'tied to the page'.
     Once the passage starts to become familiar I ponder the setting, the historical surroundings and happenings..get in touch with the background of the timeline. These things are important and very interesting, not only to me, but to the children. Example, when discussing the fact that Jesus grew, the children were fascinated to hear what a house from that time would have looked like..the furniture, the kitchen.
     My next focus of preparation is application..what does this mean for me today? Everything in the Bible is given to us to glean from and apply...and the earlier we are introduced to this concept the better. We learn that Jesus grew and learned and served..those are lessons and examples to guide our own growth and behavior.
     As my day draws near to teach, I seriously consider my audience..the personalities and behaviors of the age group. Here is where I start to consider objects and activities to engage their eyes, ears, hands and even their wiggly little bodies. Action, play and repetition are keys to learning..why not apply them here?
     I firmly believe that I need to know it before I teach it..so I do place a lot of time and emphasis on searching out the Word. This happens long before Saturday night...but, what about those days when the phone rings right before bed..a teacher needs a sub. No problem. I have been teaching and learning for many years. Since I am teaching straight from God's Word there is no worry over what I need or passing along curriculum. As for activities..and entire shelf of my sewing room is set aside for teaching items. Things I use and have used over the years reside here for my gathering. Any child I have ever taught will tell you ..she has boxes. Guess what's in those boxes..lots of wonderful things to help guild our learning and our remembering.
      This is my heart. This is where God has burdened and grown me. No greater joy- aside from teaching my own children- has ever been found in me than sharing with others. Oddly enough, even when I teach adults I use the same format..same layout..the objects and activities are just different. I am ever so grateful for the opportunities He has given..and for the opportunity to share it with you.