Teaching tips

Jan 14 2013

7 Helps to Succeeding with the New Curriculum by Hank Smith

7 Helps to Succeeding with the New Curriculum

(The following summary can be found in full at the Red Headed Hostess Blog)

“Dad, this new curriculum is awesome.There is one girl in my class I’ve never heard say a word. Today in class she was giving a ton of comments!”

1. President Boyd K. Packer said, “True doctrine understood changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will change behavior quicker than the study of behavior will change behavior.” The new Sunday School curriculum is centered on doctrines, not behaviors. Do your best to make sure your lessons stay doctrinally centered. Discussing behavior is not a bad thing to do, but you’ll have more impact on your students’ lives as you try to keep the discussion focused on the doctrine.

2.  A good friend said to me, “Hank, prepare until you are excited.”When I can start to envision how this material might impact my students’ lives, I can feel my level of excitement start to rise. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “Part of what may be lacking, at times, in the decent teacher, is a freshening personal excitement over the gospel which could prove highly contagious.”

3. Great teachers are like great artists. While great pieces of art share common characteristics, great art does not have one look or sound. So what does great teaching look like? Like all other art forms, examples of great teaching do not look alike, but they do share some common characteristics.” Comparison is a thief of joy.

4. Let the students know when they are doing it right. I would love to see a Sunday School teacher stop the class to let the students know when they’ve succeeded. After a series of good comments, when the students have listened to each other and responded to the content of one another’s comments, let them know what they just did. You might take a “time out” to say, “Susan, did you see how you responded to what Michael said, and then Amy you took Susan’s comment and took us in a new direction. That was awesome you guys! That is what we want to happen every week.” You could do the same thing on an individual level with a text message or a phone call after class.

5. Use a majority of the senses.  For example, instead of reading a conference talk to them, have a copy for each of them to hold; better yet, give them a copy with a highlighter and have them mark their favorite parts. If you can involve their sense of smell and taste as well, you’ll have their undivided attention!

6. Strive for improvement, not perfection.

7.  Love your students. Charity covereth a multitude of sins (1 Pet 4:8). You’ll be amazed how much slack your students will give you when they know you love them. Pray to be interested in Prom, Friday’s game, and the latest superhero movie. Meet them on their level and enjoy seeing the world the way a teenager sees it.