Teaching techniques

• Teachers are agents of the master teacher - not independent contractors

• Teachers teach what prophets preach

• Students are to learn and act, learn and act

The Goal of teaching is to help them apply the doctrine and change their lives

teach…Any light that touched you today will leave you into forgetfulness unless you DO something to apply it... (talk about it to someone about what you learned)   learn and act...learn and act

• develop a pattern: for teaching 
• opener
• present topic (goals)
• historical background
• pick out characters or situations and develop questions and discussion.
• end with WHAT YOU WILL DO AFTER HEARING THIS LESSON
• and THEREFORE WHAT!

Scripture journals are a tool for communication with the Spirit! 

They are a REVELATION RECORD and a great resource for teaching 

• what you write down from the impressions you feel will be the most valuable help you can receive...to remember...to act upon.

when you write down precious impressions, often more will come....if you ACT on what you have been told.

• keep a record of spiritual experiences...combat’s spiritual Alzheimers 

        collect news articles for making points re certain doctrines.

• to study the scriptures I recommend 
• a three ring binder for handouts, and topic notes, one for each …Bk of M etc,
• a spiral notebook - study journal - take notes (classes, conference)
• notations in scriptures  
• summary charts (simple ways to retain and apply)
• x for cross ref, scripture chains
• heart shape for personal experience

- circle verse number in red for types/allusion to the atonement

- lined post-its for quick topic reference inside front cover

 

Writing activities 

• during class if there is writing time, play music (hymns - invites the Spirit)
• when writing, they are recognizing customized promptings for their lives!
• ask a question, then have them think about then write their feelings before sharing with the class. 
• ask students to write down one real life question, then invite them to scan a chapter for any insights into answering it. 
• scripture microscope: spend 2 minutes reading one scripture. Any new insights?
• teaching style:  scripture stories: teacher reviews the basic plot. Half TELL the story, half fill in detail wi scriptures.

role play - “I am struggling with....” What do you say to her?” and then everyone give advise.

R Mathews “In order for mortal men and women to be able to learn essential truth...there has to be spiritual preparation...learning and wisdom are not solely intellectual pursuits but are linked with FAITH, PRAYER and FASTING.

Elder Scott’s 4 step outline: 

 -ask a grabber question

1. state the principle or doctrine
2. give an example from real life to illustrate it
3. support it with a scripture
4. share a personal testimony and application of the principle

Great questions elicit testimonies

- why do you think this is the Lord’s church? What makes you think that?

- how do you feel about...

- how do you know...

- why is it so important that we...

- how has knowing...blessed your life?

...gets them to speak from the heart and share spiritual convictions

FIRST DAY (seminary and institute) - set expectations: read, listen, write and speak.

- discuss “how can you get the most out of this class.

To draw them out:

• tell me more about that
• Excellent...why?

• Ride out the silence after answering the question.

 The Candle of the Lord... BKP

p 89  “It is one thing to receive...quite another to have a confirmation in your heart that what you have said is true....TO SPEAK OUT IS A TEST OF YOUR FAITH.”

TIME YOUR LESSONS -  in lesson plan - decide how much time will you spend on each concept

• Save time to sum up (have them do it) ask “if you could summarize our lesson into one sentence that we could record in our journals - what would it be. and have a conclusion 
• at the end of each lesson ask ..therefore what...what’s this got to do with the way you live.  Alma war chapters: what does this teach about our own battles?
• what did you learn today that you should DO after this?? “ Can you personalize this? "
• ...and a testimony that ties together the themes

Variety

• collect stories quotes, find a favorite (ask why)
• 60 second talks (give formula) 5 minute prep. Two sentence statement of testimony or principle, explain it.
• slip a note to a particular student to prepare a few thoughts/ comments on...”how the priesthood has blessed your life.
• I’ve got three levels of questions (ala jeopardy) Who’d like an easy one?
• play: “one of these things is not like the other” from Sesame st.  3 or 4 relate but one is obscure.

PREP 

• ask yourself “what do I want to have happen in the lives of my students?

• Don’t just get through all the material if it can’t be properly absorbed. Determine WHAT IS OF HIGHEST PRIORITY.  Start with things they can relate to.

• story David / Goliath  /   the point is.. it requires great faith to battle the giants in your life…then focus on that objective or point.

(look for the talk by Scott - helping others to be spiritually led.)

“I will seek to learn by what I hear, see and feel. 

I will write down the things I learn and will do them.”

QUESTIONS  

• suggest  3 scenarios from your future life...if you choose this road then… real life, decisions have far reaching consequences  

• Prayer - What are some of the things we can do to make sure we’re really in communication with God...and not just going through the motions when we pray
• 
  
• What is the moral to this story?
• What are the strategies we can learn from...

• When you see a list of points in your lesson, make sure you put a question before it.
• What questions could I add that would allow students to make more of the    points I’m hoping to make.

• Ask open ended questions - no fishing for the one correct answer..
• Get them to share their stories!

ANGER - Christ braiding whip first he was in control…there is a lesson there. What is it?

COVENANTS- anyone ever break a promise to you?

OPENERS - You’re not ready till you have a good opener. Something interesting to get the ball rolling. Something to discuss that’s interesting to them. “Write a list of...”

•  opener - “classifieds - jobs - looking for love or a new gadget on the market.

• scan 20 lessons and come up with openers ahead of time. Put on post it and stick to lesson.

• science experiments / what gospel principle can be tied to this??

• scars and repentance: how are they different, hoe are they similar?

STUDY SKILL OF THE WEEK (on board and demo)

• give them 2 minutes to cross reference a favorite scripture...let them research a bit

Set the mood 

• Bring music
• JFS “manifestations of the HG are more  effective than visitations from angels” p20 GGT
•  teaching by the Spirit...is teaching from the heart...rather than out of books

The Holy Ghost carrieth it UNTO the hearts of the children of men 

- but not INTO 

(2 Ne 33:1)

• teach the person - not the material.....and the needs of the sheep

•  teach ….You won’t really understand any doctrine or concept until you experience it.
• talk less, involve more 

• SAY - as you read the next...pay attention to your thoughts and feelings. Notice what pops out at you.
• “As we read this account together, think about what it teaches us abt....”
• “rephrase…. what Nephi just taught, what you just read.