Ever notice that section usually at the top of every lesson in the teacher’s guide …. the part that is often neglected? I like to call it the vital statistics in curriculum because it is important for teachers to check them, not ignore them. Perhaps it is time to let your Bible teachers know why this information is so important.
What’s Often Included in the Vital Statistics:
Scripture Used in the Lesson, Perhaps a Key Verse
Lesson Aims
Summary of the Lesson
Materials Needed
When to Look at the Vital Statistics:
Ideally teachers should be preparing their lessons well enough in advance to have time to let it settle in their own lives and have opportunity to put it into practice themselves before teaching it. Realistically, many teachers tend to prepare with little time to spare. Encourage teachers to at least check out the vital statistics early in the week.
Why These Vital Statistics are Important for Teachers:
Scripture: Let’s remember that they are BIBLE teachers. Scripture should consequently be central not only to the presentation of the lesson but also lesson preparation. Encourage teachers to read the Scripture provided in this section prior to reading the the lesson as presented in the curriculum. That will provide greater potential for the teacher to be guided by the Spirit in preparation. It will also give teachers an unbiased view of the passage(s) being taught so they are able to compare the curriculum’s interpretation against what they read. Ultimately this can affect a teacher’s passion toward what is being taught.
Lesson Summary and/or Lesson Outline: Though not all curriculum include a summary or outline, it is helpful if provided. The summary will give the big picture perspective. It will help teachers see where they will be going and where the various parts of the lesson fit. Ultimately this can affect teachers’ decisions of what is important to keep included in the lesson as it provides context.
Lesson Aims: The same Scripture passage can be approached from various angles. Teachers must understand the slant the curriculum will take which zeros in on the focus. This is important so teacher’s are able to bring any adjustments or tweaks into alignment with the key objectives of the lesson. Ultimately this can affect cohesiveness of a lesson.
Materials Needed: Some materials are provided with the curriculum ready to use and some must be collected or put together. Looking at this information early on in the preparation stage will give teachers sufficient time to pull this material together. When not looked at early enough, some teachers will find themselves cutting out certain activities, not testing, or doing a sloppy job. Ultimately this can affect learning.
More Teacher Training Resources: Choosing & Using Curriculum
This is so good to know, everything takes preparation. Agree!! How can a teacher go unprepared to teach a class?
While it’s hard to imagine, Mersadie Gayle, many do go unprepared. We’ll be more likely to make preparation a priority when we acknowledge and remember it is the Word of GOD we’re teaching. Surely He deserves the investment of time and effort it takes to prepare to do our best.