Prayerful Teaching is Wholesome Talk

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

                        Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Prayer and Meditation   

Words can tear down or build up.  They can impart strength and create a lasting impact in the lives of others. Still today I can clearly recall biting, hurting words that were spoken to me as a child and how small and useless I felt.  So too can I recall the words spoken to me which set me free to grow and soar and led me to my serve my savior. Let me never forget that the words I speak, whether positive words or negative words, loving words or words filled with anger and hate, though uttered in a quick, careless moment, linger a lifetime. 

The Actions of Prayerful Teaching

• Sprinkle “cliff hangers” throughout the day.  Students will beg for more, especially if they think they are ones getting a privilege or that rules will be bent.  Snatch a cue from television newscasters.  They make what would be boring stories into exciting cliff hangers. 

           Example:   “We could…later today, but the room might turn into a mess.”  (Students equate 

       

           Example:  “We are really going to create a mess in this classroom on Wednesday.  We will

           have to build in time to put the room back together.”  (Students have something to look

           forward to later  in the week.  You will have their attention as you teach up to

           Wednesday’s event.

            Example: “We might act out the scientific process of …, but it would get pretty loud in here

            so maybe we will just read about it.”  (Students will beg for action, rather than listening.

            You will have a captive audience.

            Example:“Remind me sometime to tell about how….”  (Students will want to hear what you 

            have to say immediately,)

• Scrutinize advertisements.  Advertisers spend a great deal of money to study the impact of words on consumers.  As a teacher, you are selling a product, a multi-faceted product at that.  Along with the content area, you are selling a future to your students.  Advertisers know you will not buy their product if they put you down, embarrass you, or make you feel ashamed, lonely, or miserable.  They address your needs, build up your spirit, and clearly show (not just tell about) how their product will benefit you. 

• Use the inclusive “We” language.  It is so easy to separate the classroom between student and teacher.  Replace “I” and “you” with “us” and “our.” 

• Create a list of alternative words to replace the empty, meaningless words so commonly used in a classroom such “Good,” “Excellent,” or “You can do better.” Replace these with phrases such as:

 “I like the way you….”

“Thank you for adding that thought to our classroom discussion.”

“This will get easier, but for now can you...?

“You have everything correct up until this point.  What would you like to change?      

  What would you like to rethink?”

• Complaining has become rooted in our culture.  Instead of a complainer, be an agent of change in your classroom or in your building.  When you observe something that is not working well, offer solutions of which you will be a part.  It is so easy to complain in front of students about such things as interruptions, tardy students, or extra duties, that we are not even aware that we are complaining.  If students hear us complain, they will pick up on how to complain too.

 

Challenge of the Week

Think of yourself as head of an ad agency.  Select one lesson or common core the class will be studying in a few days.  How can excitement be built up so students will be eager to approach their study?  Advertisers are extremely creative and so are you!

 

God Bless and Prayerful Teaching,

Elizabeth A. Wink

prayerfulteaching@gmail.com