12 November 2009
Group 3, History
What are the stories of the individuals involved? What are the stories of the church or churches?
We noted that the teacher has prior experience with the children in the class. She seems to know them and what to expect from them. She is grieving a loss or losses in her life and transfers this to the lesson, wanting to help the children let go of things in their lives as well. The author mentions a long dark winter of illness, death, and grief. The church seems to be a refuge and a place to rest during difficult times. The lesson’s theme is “letting go” and involves people pouring their hearts out to God.
What learning emerges from this history? Is it helpful for religious identity, or are there some elements of that learning that an educational leader would want to challenge and shape in a different direction?
The Wailing Wall is part of our faith history, connecting us to our past. People have prayed to God since the beginning. The theme of letting go might be too abstract and beyond the understanding of 3-6 year olds; however, even if it doesn’t exactly click, they could recall this lesson in later years. She does mention that they may not get it and that seeds are planted. This is our hope for people of any age.
What learning emerges?
The teacher believes that children learn best when they are relaxed, knowing they are loved, and hear a great story. She connected the story of the Wailing Wall with the stories of King David and King Solomon. The children look at pictures of children sticking prayers in the cracks of the Wailing Wall and later create their own Wailing Wall and stick their own prayers on it. They learn to let go and depend on Jesus.
Take Mary Boys’ grid and see if you can figure out some basic answers to her questions, using the focus situation as the raw data.
Revelation: I think helps the learners engage with Jesus Christ, especially at their young age, in tangible ways. The ideas are quite abstract, but are presented somewhat concretely. Even if they do not grasp it now, they may recall it in later years.
Conversion: The activity has more to do with a deepening of the spiritual practice of prayer rather than fostering directly to a conversion. There is a deep spiritual need for prayer in our lives especially our students’ life.
Faith and belief: They are taught that they are “loved and chosen.” Each person is individually validated. The assertion that God hears our prayers is made.
Knowledge: They listen, speak, and move/do. Multiple intelligences are addressed in the lesson. Through story, activity, discussion, hands-on learning, the kids are being engaged in a variety of ways.
How is God Revealed? How is Jesus Christ revealed? God is revealed as the source of comfort in time of distress. The children learn that God loves them and has chosen them as God’s own. Jesus Christ is revealed through the demonstration of letting go. The child discovers that in letting go of sorrow, hurt and anger, that they can be fulfilled and their thirst quenched through Jesus Christ.
What does the curriculum look like? The lesson engaged students at a variety of levels. The teacher provided support to engage different learning types through the auditory (storytelling), visual (pictures), and kinesthetic (building the Wailing Wall) activities. The lesson was grounded in the biblical story and revealed both God’s love and Jesus’ grace. The lesson built a bridge from the ancient story to the individual child today thereby making the lesson relevant and meaningful.
Theology- The activity points to the understanding that God wants to be in relationship with us and is here with us in our struggle of pain and suffering. The activity can help us connect with the idea of God being open to our communication with him through prayer.
Most important learning goal: to know that God is in a loving relationship with them at all times, and to know that God walks with them no matter what the circumstances and regardless of what they do. to focus on what the understanding of our relationship with God is like. Also, the holding on to too much and what it means to be able to let go of the other things in our life. Although for kids as small as this, it may be a hard concept to understand, the example of the markers and wanting a drink was great. So, to show how we can connect with God through prayer and not just when we need help but also when things are going well. God is never absent and always listens to our prayers, no matter how big or small.
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12 November 2009 at 7:52 pm
I think its important to remember that no matter what we do we can’t be separated fom God. I got to find that connection with the “Wailing Wall” chapter when I had to prepare for my Confirmation Class I had to teach on tuesday. I’m not sure the childern really understood that there wasn’t anything they could do to separate themselves from God. Some of the prayer requests show that they do get some of it. One boy sprains his ankles regularly. He prays that they’ll heal and the ankle will stay healthy. Unfortunatly doesn’t get what he wants. The ankle heals, but it gets sprained again. He seemed to have the beginning of understanding that persistance is important. What surprized me was a 6th grader knew that part of his prayer was answered, and that he would not give up with his prayers. I think a lot of adults could learn from him
12 November 2009 at 8:33 pm
JBixby001 says...
I like the way you called the “loved and chosen” section individual validation. The personal element that she really emphasized was how she constantly surprised and relieved the kids who were being chosen. What a profound spiritual truth, one that we know all of our lives until we are able to finally put it into words in adulthood. We are afraid that God doesn’t care who we are, that sure he loves us, but does he love me? She did such a great job of calling them as individuals, and validating them, not as a group but rather as individuals. Let’s hope that every child (and person) feels the comfort of this ever present love. Just like you guys said, “no matter the circumstances.”
13 November 2009 at 9:50 am
Group three wrote, “The teacher believes that children learn best when they are relaxed, knowing they are loved, and hear a great story.” I really liked the way your group made a connection between Lamott’s “Loved and Chosen” game with the ability for children to learn and listen. I missed that connection in my reading of it.
It seems like such a simple concept – that we are our best, brightest, and fullest selves when we are loved – but it’s incredible how easily that concept is lost, forgotten, or complicated, especially when we are sitting in a classroom of peers under the supervision of an authority figure. Everything becomes so task oriented, and we forget the power of being present and in community. Thank you for your thought provoking summary!
13 November 2009 at 10:47 am
This post helped me to think a little differently about the text and the way that the story was presented. I thought the analysis of conversion, revelation, faith and belief and knowledge was interesting. When some of the abstract ideas are presented in concrete ways children, even at young ages can understand a concept. Yet, there were a few times through the post where there was reference to the importance of “planting seeds.” I know that “planting seeds” is important and that children sometimes may not fully understand the concept, but in later years they will remember something from years before that helps them to understand.
I do wonder though they in some of these situations where children may not understand, if there are ways that teachers can present the information so that children can understand at this point in time. Even if that is not the case, I think about “planting seeds”…there are sometimes where I hope that seeds are at least planted and that the Holy Spirit will work in that young person’s life. How can we be sure that seeds are being planted and that children will understand in later years? Should we just place our trust in the Holy Spirit?
13 November 2009 at 7:55 pm
Frieda says...
There is not much explicit about community in Lamott’s story. I infer that worship practices, leiturgia, strengthen Lamott for teaching the children as she leaves the room after a child falls on her and reflects on community worship. Perhaps, it would have been an opportunity for Lamott to practice reconciliation and teach the children how even accidental actions can be hurtful by expressing her pain to the boy who hurt her and then forgiving him. I realize some boys are rough and tumble but they still need to learn boundaries and consideration for others even in the case of accidents.
13 November 2009 at 10:26 pm
It’s important as a teacher to know the background of your students – especially in today’s society. I think the teacher’s exercise of showing the kids they are loved and chosen was a good grounding for them in knowing that no matter what socks or shirt they were or what they do in life, God loves them. As Stephanie said, this could be the planting of seeds that will later in life blossom and grow. In my years of working with youth and young adults, I have found that if you don’t know their background, what their worries and concerns are, or their joys – even simple ones for young children, you may not be teaching to them as best you could. They may not look interested or pay attention but knowing the history of their young lives and that of the church can help you in preparing and communicating with your students.
Blessings. Hope
13 November 2009 at 11:46 pm
Group 3 writes, “We noted that the teacher has prior experience with the children in the class. She seems to know them and what to expect from them.” It is evident that she has had prior experience with the class, in the way that she seperates the known offenders and the children seem very accustomed to the rituals of the class. She also seems to use her memory of “Sam” at this age, which I think helps further her understanding of children this age.
Lamott writes that “It’s scary when the self divides into one being who will be more noticed and admired, and another, worried person, who gapes out at the world from inside.” The Loved and Chosen ritual, which seems to be widely blogged about this week, embraces the kids in acceptance.
I would also have to agree that knowing the background of the students is important. It is important for teaching them as best you can, and for building a trusting relationship.
15 November 2009 at 3:45 pm
hessma says...
I think you are getting at one of the more important elements of learning here, when you can identify the relationships that already exist, the ones being built, and the One with whom we are in relationship before and around and above and through (etc. ) all others. Much of teaching is really about “planting seeds” and waiting and watching. You often do not know, as the teacher, what is being learned — no matter how much good evaluation and assessment you do! — but we can wait in patience, trusting in God, that the seeds will indeed bloom as they are meant to.