From: Adam
To: Randi and Kelly
Subject: Practicum Report #2
A. Time Spent this Week
9/23/07- 3 hrs. (SS=1 hr; AM Worship= 2 hrs)
B. My Class this Week
This Sunday Steve gave me the opportunity to share a short devotional at the beginning of class. He gave me an outline to follow, and every week I will be doing a short devotional on a symbol of the Holy Spirit before we sing and have the lesson. This week’s symbol for the Holy Spirit was the dove. I shared the story of Jesus’ baptism when the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove. My class is large and there are new faces so I am having a hard time learning everyone’s names.
1. Krista
Krista is very friendly. She just recently got married, and she teaches geography. She graduated from IWU last year, but she is still faithful to the church and our class. She paid close attention the whole time, and she is always ready to participate when called on.
2. Kay Ellen
Kay Ellen is another senior from IWU. She is a very genuine and humble person. She is not outspoken, but she is willing to participate.
3. Colt
Colt leads the worship songs on the guitar for our class every week. He is a sophomore also at Taylor likes to make jokes (some better than others…) throughout the lesson, which always helps to lighten the mood.
4. Rebecca
Rebecca always critiques and challenges what she is taught. She does this in a good way. It is not like she questions everything just to be annoying. She came up with a good question today. We were talking about how we should give our time and attention students who want to learn instead of wasting our emotional energy on people who have a critical spirit. She made the point that we should not dismiss people very quickly and write them off. Jesus knew the hearts of the people that had critical hearts toward Him.
6. John
John pays close attention the entire time. He is a good note taker, which is always encouraging for Steve.
7. Steve’s daughter, Stephanie.
Stephanie is probably the most vocal person in the class, and she always has something insightful to say. Who would’ve guessed this would be true with Steve for a father. She had several good things to share today on the topic of anger. Specifically, she commented on Rebecca’s comment that we should give people a fair chance, but not to keep on wasting valuable energy on them if they keep on draining us.
8. Guy on the end of the row.
I have seen him there a few times before, but he did not pay attention at all. Every time I looked at him, he was staring off into space or sleeping. He is really the only one that does not pay attention.
C. My Questions this Week
1. What should be done if there is one person in the class who does not pay attention or participate? Should the teacher try to get him/her involved? If so, how should you do that without taking away the focus and learning of the other students?
2. Is it better to have a series of lessons about one topic, or is it better to give more variety in lessons?
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2 comments:
1. RE: Question on student who does not participate. I believe the teacher should still make an effort to encourage the student to pay attention and participate. When one reaches the age of a college student their parents don’t make them attended Sunday school anymore (at least I hope not! ), so the guy who is not involved is coming for some reason. He must want to learn or grow at least a little, or I personally don’t think he would be there. The teacher needs to begin by reaching out to the student before or after the class. They could ask him questions to get to know him better or save him a seat so he doesn’t have to sit at the end. This will make the guy feel more comfortable and involved without taking away from the other students. Slowly, the teacher can then ask the student’s opinions on topics when the timing is right. If the teacher continues to make an effort and the student does not respond, then they have to accept that fact that they can’t change their attitude. The only option one has then is to pray for them!
2. RE: Series of lessons on one topic or variety? I personally love to have a series of lessons on one topic. I believe sometimes we try to rush topics too quickly within the hour of Sunday school that we only reach the basic knowledge of the topic. The class can dig deeper and grow more by working through a topic slowly. The students will remember the information better also when is it presented in several ways. Maybe the first week the teacher can present the topic, then the second week they present more of a Bible study on the topic, and the third week they hold discussion about it. One has to be careful though not to overdue the topic or the students may get bored and uninterested.
1. What should be done if there is one person in the class who does not pay attention or participate? Should the teacher try to get him/her involved? If so, how should you do that without taking away the focus and learning of the other students?
Slap them. Just kidding, but something to that effect (without verbally or physically hurting them). Shake things up a bit by calling on that person or changing the routine. Determine what may be causing their lack of attention or participation. Is it due to their lack of interest in the class and the topics? Is there something going on in their life that keeps them from participating? Maybe what needs to be shaken is the teacher reaching out to that person by getting to know them before or after the class.
I am only guessing, but I think your question derives from the ‘guy that sits at the end of the row’ who stares off into space all the time. If that is the case, answer me this: Has the leader or you got to know him? Maybe he needs to have some familiarity with the class and its teacher/leaders before he gains an interest.
2. Is it better to have a series of lessons about one topic, or is it better to give more variety in lessons?
Well, you do have someone getting bored, so maybe it needs variety. I kid once more. I think it depends entirely on the group. What is the class doing right now, a series or a variety? If the class responds well to the series, keep it, if not, change it up. It also depends on the needs of the group.
Working with the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Sunday school class, I have found that they enjoy a common thread (a topical backbone) with a variety of topics interweaving that thread or connecting to it.
It also comes down to where you feel God is leading you on the approach of lessons.
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