Tip of the Day - Junior Class Tips

Hello and Welcome! - Tip of the Day - Junior Class Tips - http://www.bibleclassworkshop.com/shop/custom.aspx?recid=20 Thank you Teah and April   https://store.bibleclassworkshop.com/ This age is able to read passages from the Bible. Class should provide frequent practice finding passages in Bible class. These students are able to handle outside assignments in completing lessons, memory work, etc. mostly on their own. Give extra credit opportunities! They are beginning to think about their own salvation so application should be further developed. However, great caution should be taken not to push them to be baptized when they aren’t mature enough to understand the commitment. Fewer and different kinds of visuals are needed, but do continue to use visuals such as detailed, realistic pictures. Maps are vital. Add occasional “church songs” to regular Bible class songs. Teach the boys how to lead the songs (and prayers). As the authority in the class, the teacher may do so. However, girls shouldn’t lead in a mixed class so they have the pattern God established engrained in them. Use instruction and discussion in class. Avoid taking class time with busy work (puzzle pages or merely filling out workbook) These students are able to memorize long passages, even whole chapters. They should know books of Bible by divisions and writers. Teach them the reason for memorizing (“Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee” Psa. 119:11). They are beginning to think independently. The why of a lesson or principle must be discussed. Students may challenge the teacher’s authority. Stay firm, fair, and consistent. Teach from an open Bible instead of reading from a teacher’s manual. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment!

Tip of the Day - Primary Class Tips!

Hello and Welcome!

- Tip of the Day! -

Primary Class Tips

Thank you Teah and April  
https://store.bibleclassworkshop.com/

• This age is capable of learning more material than at any other age in life.
• Lessons need to be in sequence and in greater detail than for younger ages.
• They are still learning to read; they are not yet ready to read to learn.
• They are still learning to write. Worksheets are not a good use of time; keep other writing to a minimum.
• These students still desire to please teacher.
• Teach the boys how to lead the prayers and/or songs. As the authority in the class, the teacher may do so. However, little girls should not lead in a mixed class so they have the pattern God established engrained in their understanding.
• Books of the Bible should be practiced regularly.
• Assign memory work weekly but take care not to overload younger ones. Assigning pieces of verses to younger ones while expecting whole passages from older ones is allowed!
• Use visuals to help them learn the memory work in class. This helps students remember the memory work better during the week. It also helps them understand the meaning so they learn to quote Scripture properly.
• Alter the routine to develop longer attention spans and prevent boredom.
• This age loves to play Bible games for review. Encourage good sportsmanship.
• Youngest are not ready to do outside assignments without parental involvement.
• Expect them to bring a Bible of their own to every class session. If child is not given a Bible at home, give him one yourself or ask the congregation
• Maps are necessary for this age. Use color maps with easy-to-read labeling.
• This age thrives on recognition of achievement. 
• The widest variety of visuals may be used for this age so vary your materials often! Keep attendance and memory work charts. Require them to EARN rewards. Giving freebies is counterproductive and not in keeping with Matthew 7:21.
• This age loves to share tales from their week. Enforce a “bell to bell is Bible class” policy. Be sure to listen outside of class so students know you care.
• Teach from an open Bible. Continually remind students that the lesson is real and from God’s Word.

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment!

Tip of the Day - Preschool Class Tips

Hello and Welcome!

- Tip of the Day - 

Preschool Class Tips

Thank you Teah and April  
https://store.bibleclassworkshop.com/

• Expect these students to sit still, follow directions, participate with the group, etc.
• This age is excellent at memorizing lists.
• They recognize most if not all ABCs so a list made with letters is exciting.
• This age particularly wants to please the teacher.
• They do not like change. Routine is still important.
• Learning is fun to him. There is almost no limit to what he can learn if it is put on his level.
• Review stories for several weeks to make them permanent in memory.
• Flash cards with pictures make a good review tool.
• Sing songs that tell stories and teach facts.
• Fill their hearts with a Bible story instead of their hands with a craft.
• Tell the story with passion. Tell it more than once per class with a variety of visuals.
• Ask questions, listen to their retelling, etc., to review and gauge students’ understanding.
• Attendance or memory work charts are important to this age. Keep charts of their achievements on the wall so they can add stickers, etc.
• Visualized verses help them “see” the verse. Students are able to learn many verses this way.
• Application of lessons usually needs to be only a sentence or two. It does not always need to  be a grand activity of its own. Use situations and people that are real to them instead of a made-up story.
• Teach from an open Bible. Continually remind students that the lesson is real and from God’s Word.
• Teach the boys how to lead the prayers and/or songs. As the authority in the class, the teacher may do so. However, little girls should not lead in a mixed class so they have the pattern God established engrained in their understanding.

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment!

Tip of the Day - Toddler Class Tips

Hello and Welcome! 

- Tip of the Day! -

Toddler Class Tips

Thank you Teah and April  
https://store.bibleclassworkshop.com/

• Routine is very important.
• Visuals are VERY important, but toddlers can be easily overwhelmed visually. Find the right balance.
• Larger pictures are better than smaller ones. Poster-size images make a great option for review.
• Felts, stick figures, and pictures with less detail are some good visuals aids for this group.
• Consider short attention spans. Break up time into variety of short activities: listening to the lesson, answering simple questions, singing songs, etc.
• Repeat story at least two times in every class period and tell it several weeks in a row tying the lessons together as much as possible.
• Use appropriate vocabulary.
• Have children repeat names of people and places. Challenge them to say big words like “Testament” or “Jochebed.”
• This age is able to memorize short verses (“Thy word is truth”) and phrases and begins to memorize the books of the Bible.
• Don’t give in to misbehavior. Never cede control. You aren’t likely to get it back again.
• A student who misbehaves for attention should be seated right next to the teacher. When he misbehaves, a discrete action can settle the matter without drawing other’s attention to the misbehavior.
• Use positive reinforcement for good behavior; don’t reinforce bad behavior by giving constant attention to that child.
• Don’t give him a choice when it matters which choice he makes.
• Don’t allow them to keep toys, blankets, etc. at the table with them. Use a Teacher’s Treasure box for students to place their items in. Teacher protects them-- no one may take anything out that doesn’t belong to him--and returns them to the child as he leaves class.
• Don’t move to the floor for “storytime.” Curling up on the floor gives excuse to get lazy mentally. It is much easier to keep control when students sit in chairs at the table.
• Use simplest versions of maps. Only place(s) being discussed should be labeled.
• Use WordArt to make important words recognizable so they can “read.”
• Teach them how to sit still and participate properly. Use expectation and praise for proper behavior. Explain that they are practicing to be grown up.
• Teach from an open Bible. Continually remind students that the lesson is real and from God’s Word.
• Teach the boys how to lead the prayers and/or songs. As the authority in the class, the teacher may do so. However, little girls should not lead in a mixed class so they have the pattern God established engrained in their understanding.

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment!

Tip of the Day - Cradle Roll Tips!

Hello and Welcome!

- Tip of the Day! -

Teaching ideas: Cradle-Roll
Thank you Teah and April
 https://store.bibleclassworkshop.com/

• Don't stop singing ever. Even when you have to pick one up to calm him, keep going with class for all the rest. The singing even helps calm the one you pick up.
• Touch often. Reach their hands and sometimes even their feet. Stay in contact.
• For those that can touch and hold objects, be sure they have something rotating in and out of their hands very frequently. Give them something to hold but move it often before it becomes a chew toy. And for those that aren't holding yet, still put the object on the table in front of them and watch them progress from week to week as they start reaching.
• You can even teach a sleeping baby. Just let him sleep while you or a helper holds him or just let him sleep in a jumper seat or car seat. They are hearing the songs, too!
• Never use instrumental music in class. It is unauthorized in worship. Why start the little ones out hearing something wrong? Consider the adults who are in the room!
• Change volume and tempo to maintain interest or to help regain a baby’s attention.
• Be sure to keep bright visuals in front of them at all times and moving to keep their attention especially for the little ones that can't "hold on to an object" yet. Be sure to move them close enough so they can see. Their eyes don't focus as well at a distance. Move visuals in front of each student to catch the attention. Have a visual in both hands if you have more students so you can show more at a time.
• Praise them often for "sharing" or for "being a helper" when they can put the toy back in the container you pass around for them to help. You will have to  help them sweetly to let go of the object and then thank them—for that is how they learn.
• As they learn to make noises in their way of talking, teach them words. Use single, focused words in your conversation, like "Bible" Ex. Sing Books  Books  and at the end where they hold up their Bible and say Bible, repeat "Bible" several times with lots of expression and if they try to make sounds, tell them "YAY... you said Bible!!!! " and keep going. (By the way, help them hold up their Bibles until they get to where they can and will do it for themselves.)
• Know that some days, even the best child will be stubborn and not do or say or sing with you. Just keep going and don't wait for them. Don't ever let them "stall" your Bible class. If they are being ugly, don't show items to them or let them hold things. Just act like they aren't there and keep going.
• Routine is extremely important. Sing the same songs at the same place in the lesson. As the babies get older, you can take one song out and add another one (ex. use giraffe instead of horse). As they get even older, slowly reduce the creation lesson—always keeping enough to maintain the routine—and add more Jesus songs or Noah songs. In other words, expand the content but keep enough of the familiar that the babies are comfortable.
  • Use lots of variety in the kinds of visuals - flat pictures, felts, plastic fruits, puppet animals, plastic animals, things hanging from ceiling, wind up objects, Little Bibles, small babies wrapped tightly in cloth, Fisher Price family set, etc. Think variety!!!
  • You may have a wide variety of ages in one nursery class. Be aware of the developmental differences; there is a big difference in a 2-month old and an 18-month old!
  • Maintain an upbeat attitude and keep smiling! Babies will pick up on your emotional state. If you are “down in the dumps,” or angry or impatient, the babies will pick up on that and class time will be a disaster.

Helper ideas:

• This is a Bible class, not a visiting hour. Do not visit with other adults in the room.
• Learn to sing the songs with the teacher.
• Don’t try to “help” too much or take over teacher’s class. Always give the teacher the right to settle the baby first and then ask your help if needed.
• If a child simply WILL NOT settle or there is an obvious health issue developing, take the baby to the mother. She needs to know she can trust you to do this. Be aware that with a trained teacher and/or efficient helper, this is rarely necessary.
• IF you change diapers before giving babies back to Mom for worship; promote modesty.
• Be sure to  dispose of soiled diapers properly to keep lingering odors from developing.
• Wear tunic or apron to protect your clothing.
• Don’t allow a baby with a fever or obvious illness to come to class.

Practical matters:

• Strap the babies in to the seats or use old men’s ties to tie them into a chair. If a mother objects, explain that it is for their safety just like strapping them into a car seat.
• Cleanliness cannot be over-emphasized. When class is over, EVERYTHING that the babies touched must be wiped with Clorox wipes. Don’t forget the surface of the table and the chairs as well.
• Teachers and helpers should wash hands before holding babies and use sanitizer as needed.
• Be cautious in the choice of objects for babies to hold. Be aware of sharp edges, choking hazards (loose pieces, etc.), lead paint, etc.
• When it comes to feeding a baby in class, each situation has to be evaluated individually. Babies aren't machines (i.e.,  perfectly regulated) so you have to be sensitive to their real needs. Sometimes, a mother will start to make a practice of needing to feed her baby in class. Try to re-train that mom by helping her understand that you are conducting a Bible class and if she will feed baby before coming, you will be better able to do so.
• Stretch out an anxious child as long as possible. Don't automatically think that fidgety requires feeding. Don't reward tears with food. Do everything you can to keep him happy and, if not possible, get mom to take baby out to feed.
• Never under any circumstances should you give the baby anything other than what his mother brought for him. Especially avoid honey or anything with nut oils.

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment!