(These principles are further explained by Findley B.
Ridge, Teaching For Results, Broadman Press, 1956)
1.
Learning must start where the pupil is.
v As teachers we
need to begin on the level of our students.
v In many of our
classes some students are left behind as the teacher progresses on a spiritual
journey because the teacher did not start where the pupil was.
v That is why it
is important for us to know where our students are spiritually and
intellectually.
v Sometimes as
teachers we take too much for granted and assume that those we teach know and
understand the Bible as we do and what we are saying. This is true of both
adults and children. The only difference may be that adults can sit still when
they are not interested, children cannot.
2.
Learning is based on interest.
v We must teach
what our students are interested in. The teacher must recognize that there is a
difference between teacher’s interest and student’s interest.
v As teachers we
may be intensely interested in the subject being studied, but our students may
sit passively and learn nothing.
v We must not
assume that because we are interested, the class members will be too.
3.
Learning is based on need.
v Closely
related to interest is the matter of felt need.
v As teachers we
must know the members of our class, so that we will be able to approach the
lesson in such a way that its meets the needs and solve the problems which our
students are facing.
4.
Learning takes place through activity.
v We all are
bored at one time or another when we listen to someone. But as teachers we must
find activities that relate to our students (no matter their ages) that will
capture and keep their attention.
v The activity
that we do with our students need not take place in the class, it may be an
activity
where the student learns though an experience out of class.
5.
Learning through identification.
v As Christian
teachers we are role models.
v We must live
realistic lives that our students will see we are human but different because
Christ is in us, working through us.
v We must seek
to embody the ideals of Christ in such an attractive way that our life will
both be worthy of inspiration and imitation.
(These principles are enumerated and explained by John
Milton Gregory in The Seven Laws of Teaching, revised edition (1917,
original 1884), reprinted by Baker Book House, 1993.)
1.
The Law of the
Teacher
v Teachers must
be fully equipped with the knowledge they wish to communicate
v Fresh study
and preparation are keys to enriched teaching.
2. The Law of the Learner
v The teacher must generate student interest and attention.
v A teacher's
enthusiasm is contagious with students.
3.
The Law of the
Lesson
v Lessons are
best begun with common and familiar experiences.
v Excellent
teachers understand the background of their pupils and use it as a starting
point.
4. The Law of the Language
v The words used
by teachers must he easily understood by students.
v Illustrations,
natural objects, and visual aids are important to good communication
5. The Law of the Teaching Process
v Expert
teachers arouse and direct self-activities by their students, thus stimulating
them to learn for themselves.
v Student skills grow with practical exercises involving
their minds.
6. The Law of the Learning Process
v Excellent
education helps learners to be investigative discoverers.
v Real and
valuable learning is more than memorization.
7. The Law of Review and Application
v Review perfects knowledge, confirms knowledge, and makes knowledge ready and useful.
v
Practical reviews are characteristic of
excellent teachers.
1. Class Spirit
v How do students in your class respond to each other?
v Are there cliques and groups in each corner or bench?
v Are your students free to express themselves and not feel confined?
v At the same time there must be sufficient authority so that the teacher is not “run over” by the students.
2. Physical Factors
v Where our class is located… near the door where everyone is passing.
v How we arrange our classrooms. Do we sit in a circle etc?
3. Size of Class.
v The maximum number of students in a class should vary by age groups.
v Some people are lost in a large class.
v Much debate about class sizes.
*T eachers know their
stuff
*E ager students pay
attention
*A ble to understand
each other
*C onnect the known to
the unknown
*H elp children to find
out for themselves
*E xpress and explain it
*R eview and apply it
Ř
Shows love and care for the students.
Ř
Creates an appetite for God’s word.
Ř
Seeks to improve their skills.
Talmadge Johnson
When Jesus taught, people’s attitudes were changed, there habits were changed, and their lives were changed and brought in line with the will of God. This was religious education at its best. This is the kind of results that we as Christian teachers seek today.