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How do you imbed the fruit of the Spirit into your classroom? Or, if you haven’t previously considered this, how might you go about it now?
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At the beginning of the school year, the students and I write our classroom norms and rules. I think it would be meaningful and educational to begin this process with a study of the Fruit of the Spirit. We could read the passage, do so group work on the list and then discuss the atmosphere we want to create in our classroom. Together we will compile a list and then we will all sign it. One of my fellow teachers summarized her classroom norms into this saying, “Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?” It might be a good exercise to get the students to look at your norm statement and compare it to the Fruit of the Spirit.
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One way I imbed them into my classroom is by modeling them myself. Obviously I cannot do it perfectly, but if I show them love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control they will imitate those traits. We talk about these traits often, especially self-control. Each time someone is not showing the trait it is an opportunity to talk about what God desires from us. I praise students when I see them showing these traits. We have memorized the scripture , sung songs about them, and done activities and coloring pages that help us remember them. Every month at our school we also have a celebration chapel called Barnabas where we honor the character or fruit we have noticed of a couple students in our classroom. We call them up on stage and invite parents to join as we acknowledge how we see the Spirit working in their life.
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I have not previously considered this, but now I think it should be a foundation for my classroom guidelines.
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I like to ask the students how do they know they are a “person”? Why aren’t they a giraffe or tomato? After a few chuckles and discussion, they come to the conclusion that it’s not only looks but their traits that separate them from being a giraffe or tomato. We then compare that just because I say, “I am a Christian”, doesn’t make me one. It’s my traits… the FRUIT of the Spirit that reflects my heart. My walk as a Child of God, is visible to not only others but reinforces to me that His Spirit lives in me.
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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” I try to love my students, have joy with them, and have a peaceful environment. I try to be patient, kind and good. I try to show faith, be gentle and live for God. I think I have to lead my classroom in these traits of a Christian.