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Explain, in your own words, Dr. Black’s visual of a book in the middle of two Bibles. What is she illustrating with this visual?
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She is illustrating that Scripture should surround, and I would also say flow through, everything we teach and the instructional resources we use.
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She is illustrating how any text or resource we use should be surrounded by or framed by biblical principles.
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There are lots of things that we are required to teach and that need to be included in each course. It is important to remember that on all sides, these should be surrounded by the truth from God’s word.
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Her visual illustrates that the Bible should be the foundation and seal of all knowledge that is taught in our Christian environment.
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Dr. Black is illustrating the importance of where you start and end your instruction and instructional goals. It is of utmost value to start with Scripture and to end with Scripture. Just like our days, when we begin with a godly mindset, we are more likely to have it throughout the day. At the end of the day, we reflect and look for ways we grew or need to grow more. This is exactly what we are to do with out lesson planning and long term goal setting with our curriculum. When we plan our lessons, we need to seek God and what He wants us to pass on to His children through each lesson we plan.
I am currently student teaching in a public school and my first and only current question from this lesson is: How do I do this in the public school setting? How do I creatively apply what I am learning here to my lesson plans for the students I am working with (special education with one-to-one instruction)? I am taking this reminder to start and end (or sandwich) my lesson planning with God. Seek Him first, then listen to His directions. 1 John 2:3-6 states that we are to be in step with Him or we are not IN Him. To remain in God’s light, we as the teachers of children, need to set the example and practice starting and ending with our relationship with God and asking what He wants us to pass on through us.