I am facing a dilemma in my Sunday school class. I prepare good lessons. I love the gospel and I have a testimony of it. But my class just doesn’t want to listen.
I guess that means that I’m a boring teacher, so my lessons must not be as good as I think. But I assume a 12-year-old can sit still for 35 minutes, read the scriptures with me, and get something out of it. Is that asking too much?
I talked with Sister C, who taught them last year. She said she had an agreement with the most talkative girl in the class: she’d give her something if she behaved each week. I don’t know what the reward was, but I assume it was edible.
Now, I have qualms about feeding my class, as well as bribing them. The FAQs page online for Primary even says not to bring snacks:
What is the policy for food in Primary? Food should only be provided when it is included as part of a lesson or as a snack for the children in the nursery class. Be sure to consult with the parents of each child about any dietary restrictions that may be caused by conditions such as diabetes or allergies (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 239).
This isn’t primary. This is Sunday school. They are even older. Besides, the physical facilities rules should say not to have food in the classrooms. Yes, people do it all the time, but shouldn’t we know better?
Like I said, I assume a 12-year-old can listen to a teacher for 35 minutes. They’re old enough to respect the scriptures. These kids have been members their entire lives and their parents are active. They should know better. I say I shouldn’t have to bribe them.
However, that still leaves me with a dilemma: a rowdy class. What are your thoughts on bribing the class with food? I hate the idea, but if everyone in the cyberworld agrees that it is the only way, maybe I need to reconsider.
Well, I never really called it bribery, but here is the “incentive program” I used with 12-year olds: I took in a big cardboard pizza round and lots of 3/4 inch paper pizza slices–also a bottle of glue. If everyone had their scriptures, I glued on a piece of pizza. If anyone in our class did something to make us proud (give a talk, memorize all the books of the Bible, receive an award in church, bring a guest to church), I glued on a slice. If we had a great class, I glued on a slice at the end of class. If class got out of control, I threatened to pull one off–I don’t remember that I ever had to because the kids would really monitor each other. Of course when the pizza was full, we had a pizza party. I tried to get pieces on at a rate of about 3 each week, which gave us a party every 6-8 weeks. The pizza party was at my house, not the church. Also, they each could have whatever kind of pop they wanted me to supply. It does cost some money, but I always liked parties anyway and I think it built a good relationship between teacher and students.
The other thing I recommend is individual visits with students at home. Take them some cookies, tell them you are glad to teach their class, and ask for their help in making the lessons meaningful for everyone. After all, many kids are just building their testimonies and would be spiritually handicapped if they went into teenager-hood without understanding the gospel–that kind of message. The relationship you have with the kids is the basis for their willingness to both listen to you and believe you.
Be sure you are teaching at their level. Let them look up scriptures and give thoughtful answers. There are some strategies you can use to get them involved that I will send in an email.
I remember being a very rowdy 12 year old in my Sunday school class. I think it had to do with being in the same class with boys and thinking they were cute. I have no idea what the teacher could have done to get me to listen.
On the other hand, I also remember being a very attentive 14-year old Sunday school student. I even remember who my teacher was that year and that he was a very good teacher and we went to his house for a luncheon once.
I guess I’m not much help at all.
(BTW, every time I post a comment, I get an error screen even thought the comment posted…)
Mom: I still think a pizza incentive chart sounds like bribery. Their days of getting M&Ms for using the toilet should be over; they’re twelve, not four. But that’s just my thing. I guess it’s the principle of it: they know better.
Jenny: I think that’s the difference between 12-year-olds and 14-year-olds; the 14-year-olds at the end of last year were very attentive. As for the boys thing, there is only one boy. I don’t think that’s the issue.
As for the error screen, I’ve been working on that! It’s supposed to send me an email when anyone posts a comment but the email function is not working. I’m upgrading the system in the next few days so hopefully that will help.
Mom: I reread my previous comment and I realize it is a bit harsh. I’ll rethink the incentive idea….and in the mean time try the teaching suggestions you sent me.
Comment from Mom (comment function wasn’t working; it is now):
I just looked bribe up in the dictionary: 1-Anything, especially money, given or promised to induce a person to do something illegal or wrong. 2- Anything given or promised to induce a person to do something against his wishes.
Incentive, on the other hand: 1-influencing, stimulating, encouraging, motivating to action.
If you think someone wants to choose the right, then you wouldn’t think it unethical to help remind, motivate, or inspire them to accomplish that goal–or help them feel a sense of reward or accomplishment for attaining it. As we mature, we find the internal rewards are motivating, but we still work for external rewards. I would certainly stay home from school tomorrow if I didn’t want that paycheck on Friday–even though I feel good about helping my students learn English.
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