- Effective teaching methods vary based on the age group. For early elementary students, short periods of instruction are needed along with reassurance. Upper elementary students want to be actively involved in lessons rather than just told information. - There are different learning styles - visual, auditory, and tactile/kinesthetic - and lessons should engage students in ways that match their preferred style. Getting students involved by relating new knowledge to what they already know makes lessons more interesting. - Jesus was an effective teacher because he told memorable stories and parables that drew people in and made them think without realizing they were learning. He related lessons to people's lives and used examples they could understand.

1. EFFECTIVE Teaching METHODS

2. Early Elementary(1st and 2nd Graders) Becoming more aware of the larger community. More opportunities to participate in school and church activities. Sitting for long period of times can be frustrating and very tiring. Needs doses of reassurance and encouragement. Prone to worry.

3. Upper Elementary(3rd and 4th Graders) Want to be involved in the activities, not just “told” about things. Can be boisterous, noisy and highly competitive. Increasing reasoning powers. Memorizing skills are at their peak. Respond to caring teachers who understand them. Relevance is important.

4. How we remember best

5. Learning Styles Visual Learners Need to see to best understand Auditory Learner Need to hear to best understand Tactile/Kinestetic Need to touch or do something to best understand

6. Getting them Involved Find out what students know already. What you teach is only as interesting and exciting as you make it. Tie-in personal connections and help kids relate this new knowledge to something they already know. Spend less time lecturing, more time relating the topic to what the kids know. When you pray, direct the prayer and be specific.

7. A Teacher is a Shephard to the Students in the Flock Lead a Flock. Feed the Flock. Care for the Flock

8. You have One Minute to Make an Impression If you capture the attention of your student’s quickly, you can teach effectively. If you miss your opportunity, you may do a lot of taking, but many will not pay attention.

9. How Jesus Captured His Listeners Told stories from life. Parables were short, to the point, and memorable. Students begin thinking about the principle you are teaching before they realize they are learning. He drew attention to a widow who had given all she had when she dropped some coins in an offering box at the Temple. Jesus taught his listeners about giving. Mark 12:41-44

10. Mark 12:41-44 The Widow’s Offering 41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

11. Learning takes place When the Student Connects the Facts to Their Lifestyle Relate each Bible passage to the whole Scripture. Relate each lesson to the whole of student’s life. Use real illustrations from modern life. Use positive role models from Scripture. Solve problems. Point out relationships in the lesson. Point out the principles. Motivate students to establish and live by biblical principals. Relate new principles to those already known.

12. Getting Their Attention – THE HOOK! Here are some general means of getting your students’ attention: an illustration from your own life, from the news, etc. a question purposefully chosen for them to share about some aspect of their week that ties into the theme of the lesson a story (could be from a book or a video clipping or recorded TV show ... Just enough to get their attention, perhaps taking them to the climax of the story) a puppet presentation a short skit/drama a game from which a point can be made

13. Pointers for Storytelling 1.) KNOW YOUR MATERIAL! * READ THE STORY A COUPLE OF TIMES to get a feel for the material. * READ FROM VARIOUS VERSIONS of the bible AND OTHER SOURCES. * LOOK FOR ANY UNFAMILIAR, DIFFICULT WORDS. * TELL THE STORY, DON'T READ IT! 2.) ADD DETAILS. * GIVE TIME PERIODS or dates. Who was King etc. * WHERE DID THIS TAKE PLACE? What's the location, weather conditions, nighttime, day time etc. * DESCRIBE THE SETTING; house, hillside, a boat on the sea, a prison cell; was it cold, damp, musty, dark. Were there rats, spiders and cockroaches! 3.) BE ASSERTIVE! Be bold with your material. Show your excitement You want the kids to see how excited you are about God's word! Don't be afraid to take chances in class and risk feeling like a fool! Your alternative is to play it safe, keep your composure, and basically have your kids lose interest in your class, AND YOU!

14. Pointers for Storytelling 4.) STAY AGE APPROPRIATE! Make the lesson plan applicable to your children's lives or you'll lose them!. Use vocabulary they can grasp. 5.) INVOLVE THE CLASS. Get the kids involved. Ask them quick yes or no questions. For the younger classes you can have them supply sound affects. Whatever, just draw them in! 6.) USE VISUAL AIDS. Felt boards. Flash-a-Cards. Slides. Costumes. Objects or Props. Videos. 7.) GIVE IT APPLICATION!!!! We don't want to just give them knowledge. We want them to leave church having heard a Bible story, but able to apply an aspect of that to their lives today.

15. About Discipline

16. At the End – Self-Evaluation At the end of your class, ask yourself: How well did I organize to teach this class session? How well did things go? What happened for the students? How could I make next time better?