Teaching a Multi Level Group of Students in Sunday School - Youth Leadership Training Camp, Cambodia

Providing  training  for Cambodian youths

November, 2014

It was an exhausting day for me!
I was asked to conduct three workshops in the Youth Leadership Camp in Cambodia for about sixty youth leaders.

Today I delivered two of the three workshops, one in the morning, and another one in the afternoon.


A few workshop participants asked me for a copy of my power point notes, I promised them  I would post the notes for them.

Here are the notes for my workshop on;

                                              
                                                 Teaching a Multi Level Group of  Students

A.      Know Your Audience

·         Who are your students?

·         Names

·         Age

·         Background/ Language/ Family

·         Likes/ Dislikes/ Hobbies

·         Develop a Caring / Loving Relationship

·         Know what activities & material to prepare

·         An inclusive classroom – different age groups & abilities

     1.       Our Attitude - Very Important

·         Pray

·         Must be prepared

o   read the lesson plan

o   choose your activities

o   gather all the material

·         Be Punctual

·         Be there early -15- 30 minutes before, to set up

·         A privilege to serve God

C.       2.    Preparedness  is Paramount

·         Well prepare lessons

·         Meaningful activities

·         Include student needs of different age groups & learning abilities

·         Engaging students = well behaved students

Asking questions and clarifying some issues

Problem Classroom:

·          Follow your nose

·         Teacher Being unprepared

       3.      Suggested Sunday School Schedule

Children have short attention span. Do not lecture or just teach a lesson for half an hour.
Break up the teaching into chunks of activity times. Use a variety of activities to keep students interested

    1. Activities – Free Play Stations                 -     10  to  15 minutes

    2. Songs & Worship                                  -     10 to 15 minutes

    3. Discovery Activities                               -     5 to 15 minute  

    4. Bible Story                                            -     20 to 30 minute

    5. Application                                            -     10 to 20 minutes

1.            Activities – Free Play Stations  ( 10- 15 min. Waiting for other children to come)

     Set up your classroom with a few of the following activities or you can come up with your own.

·         Reading Corner

·         Drawing / Colouring

·         Listening Centre

·         Puzzles

·         Games

·         Building Blocks

·         Crafts

·         Dress Up Centre

                                                                          2.          Songs and Worship  (10-15 minutes)

·         Very important

·         1 song /week = 52 a year songs/year

·         What they sing = what they remember and think

·         Music / CD / Instruments

·         Learn the songs yourself

·         Rote Learning - Repeat after me

·         Visual - Write words on large paper

·         Short / Easy to Remember songs are better

·         Put actions into songs

·         Make it fun!

3.       Discovery Activities  (10-15 minutes)

·         Icebreaker

·         Help children to connect with other

·         Provide background information/ knowledge about lesson

·         Get children excited about lesson

Discovery Activities – Ideas for Games

•          Straws and paper

•          Jar and paper balls

•          Candies in the Jar

•          Spoons and marbles

•          Chopsticks and candies

•          Bible Words / knowledge relay

•          Musical Chairs- just play or use to ask questions

A discussion among youth leaders

Activities / Crafts

·         Cards

·         Mother’s / Father Day/ Birthday/  Special Holidays or Events

·         Thank you

·         Get Well / Miss You at Church

·         Congratulations

·         Good Bye

4.        Bible Story / Study   ( 20- 30 minutes)

A.    Preparing for the Bible Story

·   Read the story at home

·   Choose the best activities

·   Underline key words/ questions

·   Gather material/ pictures

·   Practise retelling of story

Role playing with a workshop participant

 B.    Delivery of Bible Story

·   Vary your tone and voices  

·   Be animated and enthusiastic!

·   Your joy will be filtered down

·   Encourage student participation

·   Ask questions

·   Be patient - wait for at least 5 seconds

·   Challenge students to think

·   Object lessons are very effective

 C.    End of Story

·   Review story with students

·   Ask questions and have students retell

·   Summary and Conclusion

5.       Application   (10 – 20 minutes)

·         Review Lesson

·         Ask questions

·         Share your own personal experiences/ ask students about their experience

·         Discuss future actions that will reflect what the students have learned

·         Reinforce by games or activities

·         Pray together and ask God to help

R.T.
Youth Leadership Camp
Cambodia