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Staff Development Programs for Practical and Direct Teaching Strategies
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AN OPEN LETTER TO SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS Dear Sunday School Teacher, Today, after church, I picked my son up at our designated spot. For the umpteenth time instead of seeing a happy boy who should be learning the joy of the blessings of Christ, I met a sullen, obviously frustrated child who, in place of his usual impish grin, gave me a "Why are you doing this to me?" look. My son has dyslexia, which is the largest category of learning disabilities, affecting up to 15% of school children and adults. He is a challenge for even his trained and dedicated schoolteachers, so I can empathize with the position that you are in as his Sunday school teacher. I applaud your commitment to Christ and your enthusiasm to teach children the joy of the Gospel and what it means to be a Christian. I know there are many demands upon you, but could you hold on to a few ideas that will help all of your "special needs children"? First, make reading a voluntary activity. That way peers won't laugh, and my son can concentrate on the lesson rather than finding ways to "save face". Even when he does read semi-successfully, he doesn't comprehend the lesson because his energy is focused on reading out loud and not making mistakes. Second, please avoid word-finds, crossword puzzles, and fill-in the-blank activities. My son has trouble enough reading, let alone doing the tasks required by these projects. If activities of this sort are already in the book, use "study-buddies" who work together and can help each other through the lesson. Third, many adults focus on reading disabilities, but they forget that if a child cannot read, he or she cannot spell or write very well either. Even though you think you are doing the appropriate thing by correcting the child, DON'T; simply accept what he writes or spells and pay attention to what the child is trying to say. In reality, the child has given you his or her best effort. When you reject his or her best, the child will either do nothing or try to get even for his or her embarrassment. Let the special education teachers do the remedial work. Finally, that bright-eyed happy child has average to above average intelligence. All he or she needs from you is a chance to share your knowledge and the joy of your Christian experience. This child is eager to learn. Please, please don't put him or her in a position so that the child comes to hate Sunday School and ultimately all that it represents. Thanks for taking a few moments of your time. God Bless you in your work. With great appreciation and much admiration, C. Wilson Anderson, Jr., MAT, is president of Education Consultants of the Midwest, Inc., and former Director of Teacher Education for the Center for Learning Disabilities at the Menninger Clinic. He is also past president of the International Dyslexia Association. He lives in Prior Lake, Minnesota. www.edconsultmidwest.com Permission to reproduce is granted by C. Wilson Anderson, Jr.
Copyright 2000 Educational Consultants
Of The Midwest, Inc. |