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What practices do you currently use in your classroom to help your students learn concepts on a deeper level? Do you feel these are effective? Why or why not?
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Deeper thinking questions are my current practice, but this is not always effective. I believe I need to spend more time on drawing out prior knowledge (for the many students who know the Bible) and allowing students to process what they have learned as they apply Scripture to their own lives.
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Assuming this question refers to incorporating a Biblical worldview into concepts, when we run across ideas and concepts in our curriculum which contradict a biblical worldview, I will often ask students to identify the wrong behavior or attitude, then ask them to share and discuss verses from the Bible that point us to a correct response. Then we apply those verses to the story, etc., and share how the story could have reflected a Biblical response.
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Because of the generation I teach, I know that they are very active with gaming. So I use the terms “GAME ON!” and “NEXT LEVEL” whenever they demonstrate exploring subjects on a deeper level. I also have a Next Level poster on display as both a reminder and an in class incentive to keep going forward and practicing resiliency.
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Talking them out, teaching each other, struggling though problems together. These activities have been effective and I plan to continue using them.
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Students reflect regularly on God’s Word related to topics and texts through peer and instructor discussion as well as personal reflective writing. Students also read informative commentary by Christian authors to consider their important points, which is then discussed as a class and/or written as a personal reflection. These are effective, as later, on assessments, students are able to articulate deeper perspectives and relate God’s Word to key points well.