Learning Styles in Sunday School: Reaching all your Students

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Learning Styles in Sunday School

Text Outline

Learning Styles

"God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well."
Romans 12:6a NLT

Multiple Talents = Multiple Ways to Learn

There are many ways to learn
We all learn in each of those ways
We each have some stronger and some weaker learning styles
These styles are not mutually exclusive
We can practice a style that is not our strength to improve it
We can weaken a style by ignoring it or having it squelched
These are artificial categories to help us see ways that personalities differ

Win-Win Situation

Helps each student learn
Helps reinforce the lesson in different ways
Helps develop their weaker styles
Helps us prepare the lesson
More fun!

Incorporating Styles

Linguistic

Good At: Writing Verbal Expression Nuance of Meaning	Enjoys: Words Reading Storytelling Writing
Learns By: Reciting Hearing Reading Following written instructions	Prevent Problems: Write it down Have them recite Mean what you say (e.g. sarcasm)

Logical - Mathematical

Good At:

Problem-solving
Math
Reasoning

Enjoys:

Patterns
Numbers
Relationships

Prevent Problems:

Acknowledge right or wrong answers
Donâ€™t discourage students from "pigeon-holing" some concepts or people, they are probably not being prejudiced

Musical

Good At:

Musical memory
Making and manipulating sound

Enjoys:

Sounds
Rhythm
Melody
Singing

Prevent Problems:

Channel sound-making to the benefit of the lesson
Have them create tunes
Allow some variations to the "norm"

Visual / Spatial

Good At:

Mapping
Charting
Sculpting
Modeling

Enjoys:

Drawing
Building
Designing
Visualizing

Prevent Problems:

Visual Aids
Use color to differentiate
Use 3D Objects
Donâ€™t rely totally on words

Tactile / Kinesthetic

Good At:

Hand-eye coordination
Movement
Physical Expression
Sports

Enjoys:

Moving
Handling
Touching

Prevent Problems:

Channel movement
Provide texture or objects to touch
Impromptu skits
Donâ€™t require them to sit still all through class

Extroverted

Good At:

Empathizing
Leading
Communicating
Negotiating

Enjoys:

Interacting
Talking
Teams
Imagining Anotherâ€™s Feelings

Prevent Problems:

Establish rules regarding interaction
Mentor leadership skills
Be a good example
"Share & Tell"
Donâ€™t yell at the whole class

Introverted

Good At:

Self-analysis
Introspection
Application
Feelings

Enjoys:

Working alone
Quietness
Independent work

Prevent Problems

Channel the extroverts
Monitor Noise
Give choices between group and individual work
Give them time to process information

Credits

Much of the material presented here was taught by Dr. Vickie Owens and presented in 1994 to the Southside church of Christ teachers.

Revised and Presented by Kim Dailey 4/23/05

SundaySchoolSources.com averages 7,000+ pageviews daily from teachers all over the world

Kim Dailey, kim@eBibleTeacher.com

Bible Resource Center
http://www.bibleresourcecenter.org/
vsItemDisplay.dsp&objectID=AA8342E1-D1D8-429D-BCA52728296189BF&method=display
Short, one page description of various learning styles.

Assemblies of God
http://sundayschool.ag.org/LIFE/LearningStyles.pdf
Five page description with self-diagnostic questions to help you determine your learning style

Related Links

See Below

This presentation was created as part of a day-long seminar on teaching children's Sunday School classes. I am available to present this and other classes at your congregation or organization. Contact me for more information.

Bible Brainstorm Game

Leveling the playing field, this board game encourages all players to use their unique God-given strengths and abilities---music, word puzzles, drawing, trivia, and charades---to win. Combining five favorite games in one, it reinforces teamwork while also teaching kids about Bible events and characters. Ages 8 to adult.

Available from
Oriental Trading

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12 1/2" x 9 1/2" Just Shake It! Listen and Match. There are 6 unique sounds in this fun wooden game. Can you match them up? Just shake and see!

Available from
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Totally Touchable Matching Board

Tactile Concentration Game! tactile matching game

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