9 Large-Group Lesson Teaching Tips
Large-group lessons can be a great time of learning and also a time to challenge your clubbers. A lot of that depends on how well the kids listen. Here are some teaching tips (and please comment, adding any additional tips that you might have).
1. When you’re using a familiar verse in a lesson, ask the group to quote it along with you. This helps them associate the verse with the lesson and is also a good review.
2. Do you need a clubber to assist you as part of an object lesson or illustration? Choose the quiet child who never volunteers. Assure the child that his job is not difficult or embarrassing.
3. If possible, arrange the chairs in a semi-circle. This way all clubbers are in the front row and it enables you to walk around and make eye contact. (Sometimes eye contact is all that’s needed to stop a child from bothering his neighbor.) Not only does this arrangement help with discipline, but also gives all clubbers opportunity to see visuals.
4. Focus. If you have a question to ask to illustrate the story, limit the number of answers. For instance during a lesson on fear, you might say “Are you afraid of anything? I will choose five children to answer. The rest of you can tell me later.” Then stop at five. (Make sure you chose different children each week.)
5. Start right in on the lesson with an exciting first line. Often teachers spend time telling everyone to be quiet and then when everyone is quiet, the teacher says something like, “Did you all have a good week?” and everyone starts talking again.
6. Make good use of discussion questions. Don’t use them just as time-fillers, but as a way to dig deeper into the subject. Guide everyone toward the right answer before you move on to the next question. You don’t want kids going home with the misinformed concept in their brains.
7. Ask the clubbers (teens) what topic they would like to learn about during the Large Group Lesson – you might be surprised!
8. Make sure all children can see your visuals! Nothing is more disruptive than showing objects that only the first row can see. That causes kids in the back to stand and start pushing each other out of the way.
9. Have your back against the barest wall in the room. You don’t want kids staring out the window behind you or watching as people walk by the door to your room. Eliminate distractions.
What Large Group Lesson tips do you incorporate?
