King's Business - 1955-12

Christian Education

Tips for Sunday School Teachers

S unday school teachers are al­ ways on the lookout for proven techniques that will help them do a better job in teaching their classes. And one such valuable aid is the Get Acquainted Question­ naire for use by junior through senior high teachers. By studying his pupils’ answers, the teacher is briefed on some of their problems, potential capacities, interests and personality traits. F o r i n s t a n c e , i n s i g h t i n t o a pupil’s values can be gained by studying his choice of entertain­ ment, his selection of heroes and friends, and the qualities he ad­ mires most in them. His progress in social development can be eval­ uated by the types of clubs he be­ longs to, how and with whom he spends his leisure time, and wheth­ er he is an active participant in sports. His outside job or those tasks assigned to him at home might reveal how much responsi­ bility he can or is willing to assume. Because this type of question­ naire defines areas of potentiality and indicates the pupils’ weak and strong points, it can be used as a guide for: 1. Be-thinking your lesson’s aim With your pupils’ needs in mind. 2. Delegating jobs within their area of competence. 3. Perhaps even more profitable —- Delegating jobs or parts in plays to encourage them in areas in which they are not so compe­ tent. (If he admires boldness yet is a shy little violet, let him play Goliath or some other aggressive character in the next class play. ) 4. You can use pupils’ hobbies and interests to sharpen your lesson illustrations. (If you touch on things in which they’re inter­ ested a vital point of contact can be made.)

5. You can utilize the pupils’ tal­ ents and hobbies in cla$s ses­ sions, plays and parties. 6. The form can even help you choose prizes to suit individual tastes and needs. These are just a few suggestions as to how this questionnaire can be put to use in your class. And when you supplement it with your own observations of individual be­ havior, you can help lead your pupils to a higher level of Christian growth. Your Questionnaire Your questionnaire should include: name, address, phone. Are you a church member? How long have you attended Sunday school? Name of parents or guard­ ian, their occupation and church member­ ship, names of brothers or sisters and their ages. Birthplace, schools attended. Favorite school subjects and those you like least [list subjects and have pupil circle those liked best]. What is your choice of vocation? What clubs do you belong to at school and outside school? Do you have a part-time job? If so, what? What is your hobby? What lessons do you take? Do you like to draw, sing, play an instrument, play piano, be in plays, be on committees? Name three or four of your best friends. What qualities do you like best in friends? What are your favorite hooks, magazines, radio programs, television pro­ grams? What duties do you have at home? What is your favorite form of recreation? What do you generally do on Friday night, Saturday, Saturday night? Why do you come to Sunday school? What do you like best about Sunday school? What do you think could he improved? Name a person (living or historical) that you admire very much. Remember t h i s questionnaire will only be effective as you use the students’ answers to guide your les­ son plans and Sunday school class­ room procedure. END.

A Get Acquainted Questionnaire

by Ma rgaret Jacobsen

D E C E M B E R , 1 9 5 5

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