Week 4

A. TIME SPENT THIS WEEK:
2/9/08: 2 Hours: working on and finishing newsletter for the Kids
2/10/08: 2 ½ Hours: worship service and Sunday school

B. CLASS THIS WEEK:
This week, I was once again back in the 1st through 3rd grade classroom with Lauren, Drew, and a visitor, Michael. Joyce was also teaching the class again. This week seemed to be a lot better because it wasn’t just Lauren and Drew, but Michael also joined us. Michael and Drew are both in the 3rd grade and Lauren is in the 1st grade. The lesson was on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Joyce asked the class if that knew what a parable was and Drew stated, “It is a pair of bulls that get married.” This was funny, but it ended up being the children’s conversation most of the class and it was hard to get them to focus on their lessons. The first time I was in this classroom, Drew and Lauren were pretty good students, this time however, they both were being a bit distractive and it was hard to get them to pay attention to the lesson.
Over all, I believe Joyce did a great job with the lesson. I liked the way she asked the questions at the beginning of the story so the kids would know what to look for when she asked them again at the end. This was very effective, as Drew and Michael we able to answer the questions correctly! I also observed that when they read the story, Joyce has the kids each get a Bible and follow along. I believe that by seeing the words laid out on the page and by listening to the story, they are able to retain what is being told in a better, clearer way. Joyce also did a great job of grabbing the students attention when they got distracted, was firm (but not overbearing or scary) when she needed them to do something and they wouldn’t do it, and was very well prepared with many activities to reinforce what they had learned from the story. When she would want their attention to would place her hand on their hand, or some gentle touch like that and get on their level. When I left the class, it was so obvious that they learned how to love their neighbors, like what was being taught in class.

C. QUESTIONS THIS WEEK:
1. What are some other ways that a teacher can be firm, but not scary or overbearing when trying to get the student’s to do what they have been asked?
2. How can you make visitors feel more welcome in the class, especially when the class always has the same people attend and there is a very small number?
3. Joyce rearranged the room a bit and it seemed to interest the students. Do you think it is a good idea to rearrange the setting of the room on a normal basis (like every other month or something)? Do you think that this can cause a distraction?