Sunday school: Teaching styles.

Teaching styles:

A teaching style is a set standard and technique used by a teacher or teachers to convey a concept or theory to learners. A teaching style is a technique in which a teacher communicates or demonstrates concepts best, mostly according to how they perceive or understand concepts. The manner in which a teacher instructs classroom routines and instills classroom systems and strategies is all part of teaching style. In plain and simple English, teaching styles are techniques or methods used to assist learners in achieving learning outcomes. Teaching methods and techniques are important; through them, instructive information is conveyed.

I remember in 2018 being asked to assist a Sunday school team in a certain congregation, which I am not at liberty to disclose. When I got there, they had plus or minus 50 kids in one classroom of various ages, and they had plus or minus 5 teachers. With me now in the mix, we were 6. I am going to say it again: S-I-X teachers in O-N-E classrooms with F-I-F-T-Y children. Then, there was an old lady; she was one of the teachers; she was at the time 80 years old.

We’ll call her old lady May. Old lady May seemed to know all there is to know about teaching and kids ministry (not really, but it’s okay). Old Lady May forced her teaching style and teaching techniques on every one of the teachers. She had a whip in hand to whip any of the teachers who got out of line, and0 the kids were TERRRRRIFIED of her. I had never at that time seen a child being dragged to Sunday school, but in that congregation, that was the narrative for most of the kids.

Teaching Styles:

It is quite clear that old lady May had created her own teaching style all together. We are not going to focus much on old lady May’s teaching techniques; rather, we are going to discuss five teaching styles. Identifying our teaching style is important because it assists in understanding our strengths and weaknesses in the classroom, and by understanding ourselves on a deeper level as teachers, we are able to create a great learning environment that encourages our learners to learn and grow.

Authority or Lecture style: This type of teacher is more of an instructor; the teacher feels responsible for creating and setting up the flow of the content in the classroom. This teacher gives information to the learner, and it is up to the learner what he or she does with the information. They require zero participation from learners. This type of teacher is not about building relationships; he or she is not concerned about being liked or disliked. His or her focus is on her job—giving information.

Demonstrator or Coach style: This type of teacher demonstrates what he or she teaches; she or he practices what they preach. This type of teacher acts as a role model for his or her learners. They are like a guide to help students develop and apply the skills he or she is trying to teach. They encourage participation in their learners; they expect their learners to put in the work of learning what they need to know and asking them what they do not understand.

Facilitator or Activity style: This type of teacher is practical; she or he teaches through activities. This type of teacher teaches his or her learners the importance of taking initiative and being responsible. This type of teacher initiates group activities that induce active learning, teamwork, problem solving, and self-learning.

Delegator or group style: This type of teacher style puts major responsibility and control on the learners or group of learners. Learners are expected by the teacher to work in groups or individually, and they must be self-motivated and focused on complex projects.

Hybrid or blended style: This type of teaching style blends the teacher’s personality and interests with the learners needs. Based on this, he or she teaches from that point of view.

I believe each of these styles of learning are good, but too much of anything isn’t good. I think a Sunday school teacher, or any teacher for that matter, must find a balance. It’s great to have an individual learning style, but when teaching, we must be balanced and have a little of every style. I know. I can hear you say, Amanda, that is a daunting task.

Authority or Lecture style: Focus on the information. Focus, focus, focus on making sure the learners are informed.
Demonstrator or Lecture style: Practice, Practice, Practice what you preach. We need to understand that our learners do what we do and not what we say.

Facilitator or Activity style: Experience and Application: We need to give our learners an experience of what it is that we are teaching them. How to apply what they learn in the classroom in the real world.

Delegator or Group style: Responsibility, learners must learn to be responsible for themselves. Learners must learn how to work with others, get to understand that not everyone is like them, and respect that. In the same light, learners must learn to be confident enough to share their thoughts and beliefs and stand up for them in a good manner.

Hybrid or Blended style: Learners get to build a relationship with the teacher; they get to know the teacher on a deeper level; and they get the idea that the teacher is just teacher Sally. Teacher Sally CARES for our NEEDS.

Demonstrator or Coach style: Practice, practice, and practice. Learners get to understand what is expected from them by seeing their teacher applying the standard or principle in his or her life.

After realising what a mess I had committed myself to in that congregation with old lady May and the rest, I asked God for a way, because I was not going to work in such an environment. I prayed to God for strength and courage, because, you know, there had to be change there, and there was a lot of work to do. I asked for a teacher meeting, and we introduced ourselves because we were never introduced. I told them I was here to HELP. We discussed the challenges and came up with solutions, and number 1 was dividing the classes HELLLOOOO. Soon after, old lady May asked to leave the kids ministry because she realised she was too old to relate to the kids. The rest is HISTORY.

Identifying our teaching styles or methods as teachers gives us a chance to look ourselves in the mirror. We get to know ourselves a little bit more, and we see ourselves through the eyes of our learners. Yes, I get it. You may have the best teaching methods and techniques in town, or you just may not know what your teaching style is yet, but try, try, try, try, to be balanced. Remember, Jesus was all things to all men, and he was a Master teacher. At the end of the day, where teaching style is concerned, we ought to convey his style, his methods, and his techniques for the little lambs to draw nearer to him.