Teaching No Greater Call Part B: Lesson 26 & 27

Choosing appropriate methods & Choosing effective methods

Today we held a combined lesson on appropriate and effective teaching methods  (links HERE and HERE).  We also reviewed last week's lesson on teaching with variety and referenced the list of ideas that lesson has to offer during our discussions about appropriate and effective lessons.  I printed that list and handed it out during the lesson.  I also printed out each question that the lesson asked and taped it to the board as we moved through the lesson.

The lesson actually went really well, even though at first I had thought it would be a hard(er) topic to discuss since it is so straight forward.  We had some great discussion thanks to great comments by class members and the spirit was present.

Intro

• I drew a picture of a cake on the board.  Tell cake story (p 222 of TNGC manual).  Ask 2 questions at the end of the story.  
• Pass out methods chart. Review and talk about teaching with variety.
• Read D&C 63:64 and manual intro paragraph.  
• What is the difference between "appropriate" and "effective" teaching methods?  Can you have one without the other?

Appropriate Methods

• Will this method invite the spirit? 
• Read D&C 42:14.  Look at your list - can you think of a time a teacher chose a method to teach a concept where you felt the spirit during the lesson? I talked about the hidden wedges talk that President Monson gave back in 2002.  
• Does the method match the sacredness of the principles I am teaching? 
• Will the method edify and strengthen those I teach? 
• What are some lesson topics that you teach your family for family night?  What are some effective ways that you have taught these concepts?  
• Is the material Church-approved? What happens if we don’t use material that is not church approved?
• Have I followed correct procedures in preparation to use the method?

Effective Methods

• Will the method help learners better understand the principles I am teaching? What are some effective methods from this list that you have used in your teaching?
• Will the method make wise use of time?
• Will the method meet the needs of those I teach? What are the “needs of those you teach” - what does that mean?  
• Do I use the same method too often? 

End

• Read Boyd K Packer quote from effective teaching lesson. 
• Methods are important, but not the focus.  They are tools to help those we teach focus on the saving doctrines of the gospel and apply them in our lives.