Whether you are encouraging your team of volunteer workers or have your own classroom, please consider the following suggestions when preparing for your weekly classroom time. There is much to consider when prepping your space in anticipation of a room full of excited and rambunctious students!

WARM UP
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Each week, I write a warm-up on the board. This small instructional piece is offered to help students transition from whatever they have been doing before they entered the classroom to the current lesson that is to be taught. Students, without prompting, should begin the warm-up immediately upon being seated. A journal, which could be left in the room, should be available for students to date and then respond to the day’s warm-up. The suggested activity should help to introduce the lesson for the day. Be sure to “grade” these entries weekly or at set intervals; feedback from you is important. Making comments or adding stickers are ways to provide this feedback.

OBJECTIVE
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How many times are children asked on the way home “What did you learn at church today?” Many times the response is “I don’t know” or “Jesus”. By listing the objectives on the board, students see up front what the goals of the lesson are. The objectives should be written as follows: “Students will….” and then list the objectives of the particular lesson. Most curriculum very clearly states the objectives for each lesson. Use these objectives to introduce your lesson, so that the students are very clear where this period of instruction is headed.

OUTLINE
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This suggestion may not align with every teaching style, but if it does, try using a written outline on the board. If the students SEE what is important in the lesson and HEAR you speaking the truths, they are more apt to retain the information. Even a very basic outline is helpful. List the main points and include Scripture references. This also helps to not have to repeat the Scripture reference, but simply point to the board if someone is unsure. The students know that you are prepared and appreciate that you have considered the flow and content of the lesson.

ALL SUPPORT MATERIAL

All items needed by your students should be visible and available every time you are together. These items may include such things as Bibles (keep a few extra on hand, but strongly encourage students to bring their own), pencils, journals, snacks/treats/ breakfast, and all other items utilized on a consistent basis.

TECHNOLOGY
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Be sure to test the technology every time before using it. Technology glitches are very disruptive to what the Holy Spirit may be attempting to do. The malfunctions waste time, create disinterest, and cause the minds of the students to wander. On the other hand, be up-to-date with the latest and very effective options that are afforded us through the use of tech. Hopefully, you have resources available to help make this happen.

OVERALL CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT
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What atmosphere does your classroom project? Is there excitement when anyone enters the room and sees the set up and decor? Is the classroom ready for students as far as table/ chair arrangements? Do the walls convey messages that are of a spiritual nature or are the walls simply covered with “cutesy” bulletin boards and eye-catching colors that essentially send no meaningful message? Everything placed in public view should be considered and intentionally chosen because of impactful content. The room itself should proclaim the message that preparation and thoughtful consideration has brought us to where we are now. There should be an atmosphere of safety, love, and excitement. Be sure to rotate posters and decor to keep the content fresh and alive. Hopefully, it all points to the theme of your lesson units. Oriental Trading (orientaltrading.com) among other choices, provides a plethora of fantastic visuals for your classroom.

LASTLY, while all of this is important, NOTHING replaces the work of the holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. Nothing can trump the teaching of the Word through the power of the Spirit. Prep your classroom, but bathe your class time in prayer and submit your life to Jesus as a vessel that He can and will use for His ultimate glory.

Karen Bishir grew up hearing about Jesus' love and forgiveness from a young age, and when she came to understand the message of salvation through faith in Christ, she embraced God’s grace and forgiveness. Raised in a pastor's home, Karen has continued to live in ministry throughout her adult life alongside her husband, Terry, who has pastored Liberty Baptist Church for 37 years. They are blessed with four married children and 14 grandchildren. Karen is deeply involved in Liberty’s music, women’s, and children’s ministries, and her passion for teaching has led her to serve in homeschool, Christian, and public school settings, as well as within the church. She treasures time with children and their families, and her heart’s desire is to see God working in lives across all generations.