I just completed a major re-write of A Manual for Sunday School Teachers in Unitarian Universalist Congregations.
Among other improvements, I completely rewrote Section 2, “Basics of Teaching and Learning,” based on my observations of what new Sunday school teachers really want to know. On Saturday, I’ll be leading a workshop on “Teaching 101” at Pot of Gold, the district religious education conference, and I’ll base this workshop on the revised Section 2 (with added hands-on activities).
I’ll post the table of contents below the fold.
Above: A Sunday school teacher coaching a middle schooler on how to use a power tool during a Sunday school class at my church. No, this is not your mother’s Sunday school!
A Manual for Sunday School Teachers in Unitarian Universalist Congregations
Table of Contents
Section 1: Goals and Visions
1-A. The principles and mission of the congregation
1-B. Four Big Learning Goals
1-C. What does a Sunday school teacher do?
Section 2: Basics of Teaching
2-A. Setting the stage
2-B. The opening circle
2-C. Using your curriculum book
2-D. The closing circle
2-E. Back-up or sponge activities
2-F. Classroom management
Section 3: Models of teaching and learning
3-A. Developmental stage theories
3-B. Learning styles and multiple intelligences
3-C. The traditional three-way learning styles model
3-D. How to use games, songs, movement, and more
3-E. Is it school, or something else?
Section 4: Procedures and policies
{Most of this section is specific to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto.]
4-A. Substitutes
4-B. Supplies and equipment
4-C. Child and youth protection
4-D. Emergency and health procedures