Harmony in the House of the Lord

It’s a cool, crisp October night and the football stands are packed with rowdy fans. The buzzer announces half-time and the marching band steps onto the field. The color guard, their flags shining under the floodlights, stands at attention. All eyes are on the drum major, who salutes ceremoniously before beginning the show. A lift of the hands, and the sound of brass and wind instruments erupts from the field. The drum major gestures dramatically as flags spin and musicians march in a stunning display of harmony and choreography.

It’s a thrilling picture, but harmony isn’t just for the band! Check out the following articles for tips on promoting harmony in your Walk With Me program.

For Teachers
Imagine a room full of wide-eyed kids, amazed by the stories of Scripture; their voices blending together melodiously as they learn and wonder about God! Activity, variety, and discovery choreographed seamlessly to form a lesson that captures the imagination and inspires! Consider these ideas for creating a steady rhythm in your room:

Be Proactive

• The Boy Scouts are onto something with their motto, “Be Prepared.” Careful preparation allows you to focus on the kids and redirect them when you see trouble coming.
• If you’ve ever arrived early at a party you know the awkwardness of wandering around as the host is still setting out the snacks. Kids who arrive early to Sunday school may feel the same way and may become restless before your lesson even begins. If you meet before or after church you might solve this potential problem by greeting kids as they arrive and directing them to begin the session “Overtime” activity, or interact with a learning station that reviews the previous week’s lesson. If your class begins midway through the worship service, have everything ready so you can dive into the lesson as soon as your group arrives.
• Rules, expectations, requirements, regulations, laws . . . whatever you call them, every class needs them! Include kids in defining classroom expectations, then post those expectations for everyone to see. Tip: include Picture Smart kids and non-readers by choosing a symbol to represent each rule. An ear can stand for listening when others speak; a smiley face can stand for using kind words. Make the list of rules short and simple, reviewing it often: “What does the ear remind us to do?”
• Create memorable classroom traditions: a special greeting, a closing blessing, a certain song played during cleanup or transitions. Ritual and structure help kids feel safe and comfortable in the classroom.
• Use the multiple intelligence key to plan sessions (.pdf, 1 pp., .04 MB) that tap into your kids’ natural learning styles. Consider each kid in your class as you plan. When kids are engaged in a lesson that connects with them, they’ll be less likely to become restless.
• Make each transition smooth—left with a void, kids find interesting ways to fill time! A mutiny may occur while you’re digging in your drawer, or pausing to read in your leader’s guide . . . Be aware that while variety is very important, moving from one activity to the next may be tough for some kids, especially those with learning disabilities or AD/HD. Be sensitive to the time it may take for some kids to switch gears. Prepare kids for change by giving a five-minute warning before a new activity or step is coming.
• Set kids up for success by assigning seating when necessary. Seat kids who need more attention close to you so you can easily make eye contact with them.

Be Positive

• Be GLAD to see your students each week! Let the love of Christ shine through you as you greet kids with a high-five and a BIG smile. Post a joke of the week, or save a little time at the end of class for kids to share jokes. Setting a positive tone in class and adding a little humor create a welcoming atmosphere that helps build relationships with kids.
• When a problem occurs, take the child aside and be ready to listen for the root of the problem. Classroom discipline is about discipleship, not punishment. When kids are having a rough day (or month!), remember that your job is to teach and train.

Be Prayerful

• Jesus reminds us in John 15:5 that he is the vine and we are the branches and that “apart from me you can do nothing.” Through prayer God shapes our attitudes and infuses us with loving-kindness. (And you might need a little loving-kindness when Sonia smacks her little brother or a play-doh blob goes flying through the air.)
• It’s awesome to know that we have a God who loves us so deeply that he doesn’t reject us (or our kids) because of misbehavior. Rather, God pursues us in love and conquers sin and death on our behalf!

For Coordinators
As the Sunday School Coordinator, you have a huge role to play in helping teachers create calamity-free classrooms where faith nurture prospers. If classroom discipline seems to be a problem in your program, here are some tips to get you back on the track toward harmony.

Create a Plan

If your church doesn’t already have a discipline policy in place, consider these questions with your teaching team:

• What is the goal of discipline in our classrooms?
• Which forms of discipline are helpful and appropriate, and which are unacceptable?
• How do we expect teachers to respond to discipline issues?
• What steps might a teacher take to redirect students?
• Have we trained teachers in how to handle classroom discipline?
• In what situations should we have an extra teacher or helper in the classroom?
• What can we do to involve parents in the discipline process?

Consider Consistency

Children thrive in stable environments. They need time to build trust, respect, and affection for the teachers in their lives.

• Create consistency by encouraging teachers to teach the whole season, or one quarter of the season.
• If your program rotates leadership, consider having the next teacher join the last session with the previous teacher. Kids benefit because they get to meet the new teacher and prepare for the change. The new teacher benefits from observing how the class is successfully led.

Communicate with Teachers

Frazzled teachers fizzle quickly! Here’s how to help:

• Make sure your teachers have everything they need to succeed in the classroom: leader guides, student papers, supplies, music, etc.
• Check in regularly to pray with teachers and hear how things are going in the classroom.
• Respond quickly to requests for teacher assistance, training, or resources.

Connect with Parents

• Let parents know that their kids are welcome and loved in your Sunday school program.
• Encourage them to meet with you or partner with teachers if they have a concern or some ideas for how to help their child grow and learn.