Teacher Helps Archives - Page 9 of 24 - HERALD AND BANNER PRESS

Dealing with Silence
Dealing with Silence

Dealing with Silence

Sometimes students are not prepared to share on a topic without giving some prior thought. The result can be an awkward silence. Try handing out paper and pencils and asking the students to write down their answer to the question first. This not only gives a time of silent reflection, but more timid students may be more likely to read what they have written than to speak “off the cuff.” The result may be a discussion with more participants than if you just allow those who are quick to speak to dominate the conversation.

Herald & Banner Press2017-08-04T09:20:00+00:00August 4th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Silence|0 Comments

Disagreements
Disagreements

Disagreements

At some point, differing opinions are going to be expressed. How you as the teacher react to those disagreements is extremely important. First, stay relaxed! You are going to manage the situation well, and it is going to turn out OK! Express satisfaction that people feel free to express their opinions, even if theirs are different from someone else's. You might say something like, “OK, we have differing opinions here, and that is great. Maybe there is even a third opinion that you would like to share.” Statements like that can relax the group, and often will lead to avoiding a debate over the two opinions presented. If that doesn't work, ask your class to discuss first the positives of each of the differing viewpoints, and then the negatives. If the matter is a serious doctrinal issue, you might thank the person for sharing his viewpoint, and then say something like, “Historically our church has taken a different view on this subject,” and then share what that position is. Avoid communicating a flat, “You are wrong.” Keep the conversation open. You may be surprised at the changes that can take place if you do!

Herald & Banner Press2017-07-28T09:10:00+00:00July 28th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Disagreement|0 Comments

Gestures
Gestures

Gestures

An important part of listening is being aware that your body gestures can communicate as much or more than your words. Gestures begin with your lips. What are they saying to the speaker? A scowl may come because you are deep in thought about the next part of the lesson, but it will say to the speaker that you are not happy with what he is saying. Learn to enjoy and feel a sense of success in the process of the discussion, and you will likely maintain a smile.
If you are sitting, make sure your posture communicates interest in what the person is saying. Sometimes hands behind the head, or leaning back in your chair, suggest you are not engaged with the speaker.
Does your body language communicate that you are relaxed or tense? What are you doing with your hands? Are you grinding your teeth? Does your body language communicate that you can't wait for the person to finish so you can start talking again?
Bottom line – RELAX! Your body language will communicate whether you have or not!

Herald & Banner Press2017-07-19T08:46:00+00:00July 19th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Gestures|0 Comments

Listening
Listening

Listening

Listening is a skill that relatively few people master. Most of us are better at talking than we are at listening. Here are a few tips for being a good listener.

Establish and maintain eye contact with the speaker. True, in the perfect situation the speaker's eyes will be rotating around the table or circle, but any time the speaker's eyes come back to you, they should find you looking intently at them. Looking at your notes or your watch often indicates you are bored with their contribution.
Verbally or with body language, show that you are following what the speaker is saying. If you agree, nod your head, smile, and maybe interject a “That's right.” Be excited that the person is speaking, because that likely shows he feels safe.
In some cases, you will want to summarize what the person has said and ask for confirmation that you heard correctly.
Where possible, show that the conversation is building upon what the person has said. “Mary makes a good point” is a good way to do that. “Good” here does not mean you necessarily agree with Mary, but that she has stated her position well and her point deserves to be considered.

Herald & Banner Press2017-07-14T09:36:00+00:00July 14th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Listening|0 Comments

Cross-talk
Cross-talk

Cross-talk

Last week we talked about creating the atmosphere. Another way of making all people feel important in the discussion is by eliminating what is called “cross-talk.” One of the most effective ways to stymie group discussion is to allow two people to have a personal conversation in front of the group. That is called “cross-talk.” Whatever is said must be addressed to the entire group, not one specific person. For example, if someone says, “Jim, you are missing something here,” you as the leader should kindly remind the speaker that he is not talking to Jim, but to the entire group. If possible, discussion-oriented classes are best conducted when the room is arranged so that everyone can see the faces of the other members of the group. In “cross-talk” situations the speaker almost always looks directly at the person being addressed. When the speaker is addressing the group, eye contact will move from person to person around the circle. That eye contact helps group members to feel important to the group, leading to increased sharing.

Herald & Banner Press2017-07-07T09:00:00+00:00July 7th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Cross-talk|0 Comments

Effective Group Discussions
Effective Group Discussions

Effective Group Discussions

Effective group discussions are most likely to take place when all the members feel they are important to the group. There are many factors that contribute to a sense of importance, but let's mention two here.

Create an atmosphere in which people feel safe about sharing. Two factors are important here. First, be careful not to “shoot someone down” for their opinion, even if that opinion is theologically not correct. Always thank the person for sharing, first, then try to guide the situation to a presentation of alternate views. For example, you might say, “Many Christians feel exactly as Mary has expressed. What is another way other Christians approach this topic?” Second, leave the discussion in the classroom. Using what someone said in your class in a way that embarrasses them elsewhere is a perfect way to stop future discussion.
Take time at the beginning of class for people to share about their week, and give updates and prayer requests as desired. Allow new people a chance to introduce themselves. Making sure everyone gets a chance to be heard in the little things will build the atmosphere necessary for all to share about the topic(s) you really want to discuss.

Herald & Banner Press2017-07-01T09:00:00+00:00July 1st, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Discussion|0 Comments

Staying on Topic
Staying on Topic

Staying on Topic

Effective group discussions have a carefully chosen topic, and the teacher's role is to keep the discussion on target. The “God's Word for Today” feature of your quarterly is designed to suggest topics for your discussion. You as the teacher certainly can add others, or even develop a totally different set of questions. But conversations that are not guided are the ones most likely to get off the lesson topic. You can ask people to share how they feel about the topic; new information about the topic; concerns they have about the topic; or even personal experiences that directly relate to the topic. Again, limit the time, and feel free to ask the members to summarize how what they have said contributes to the topic. If it doesn't, the members will likely be less inclined to give stray thoughts in the future if they know they may be asked how what they have said contributes to the topic.

Herald & Banner Press2017-06-21T11:05:00+00:00June 21st, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Teaching|0 Comments

The Power of Unity – Video
The Power of Unity – Video

The Power of Unity – Video

https://youtu.be/dXia1MELO0M

Herald & Banner Press2017-06-18T08:00:12+00:00June 18th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Unity|0 Comments

Group Discussion
Group Discussion

Group Discussion

It is helpful to know what we are trying to achieve through group discussion. The following may be some helpful goals.

Group discussion gives every person a chance to contribute something to the topic of discussion. Most people have ideas, many of them good. But to give everyone a chance to share, you may need to limit the time each person is given.
Group discussion allows for a variety of ideas and opinions to be shared. You as the teacher may not agree with all of them. Simply thank the person for sharing, highlight something you do agree with if possible, and ask for additional comments.
Group discussion builds a sense of ownership on the part of the group. If the group feels it has had a voice, the members will be much more likely to accept the conclusions.
Group discussion, properly guided, gives the quiet members a chance to be heard.

Source: Snider, Gordon. "Tips for Teachers", The Church: God's People: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 15.

Herald & Banner Press2017-06-14T09:03:00+00:00June 14th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Discussion|0 Comments