Classroom Tips and Techniques    In working with Children's Ministry for the last 30 years, we have developed a few tips, techniques, and yes even bribery to accomplish our goal of having children learn how to apply God's word to every aspect of their lives.    Tip #1 - Children are easily bored, and have short attention spans therefore you must never, ever, ever lecture or read the lesson to them. Technique - get your students involved.  Ask questions.  Our lesson plans will show you how to apply this technique in every situation. Tip #2 - Every child learns differently.  This is something every teacher knows but finds difficult to overcome. Technique - supply each student with a small notebook.  A very wise man once told us in a business class, when someone smarter than you is speaking, you should be taking notes.  Teach each child how to take notes.   Make sure each child has their notebook available for each class.  Later, I will tell you how to inspire them to use their notebooks without having to be reminded. Tip #3 - Every child must learn to use their Bible.  Require your students to bring a Bible to class.  No matter how young your students are, they must learn to love and cherish their Bible. Technique - rewards are a valuable way to inspire children to remember their Bible, (see Rewards and Bribery.)  For very young children, determine which style of Bible you would like for them to use, and request the parents please supply that specific style.  This way every child is on the same page in their Bible, be it a picture Bible, or some other style relating to very young children.    Older children in my classes are required to bring a Study Bible to class.  A Study Bible will allow you to teach research techniques.  Where else are they going to learn how to look up scriptures, and do research on various topics?  By third grade, every child should know how to use a concordance, (Bible drills or sword drills are a wonderful way to teach this technique.)  Name a subject, such as LOVE, have the students look it up in their Bible's concordance, require each student to read a different scripture, and reward them accordingly, (see Rewards and Bribery.)    Learning Bible skills, Concordance skills, and the Books of the Bible can be a lesson, or several lessons.  These skills are absolutely essential to learning Biblical principles, and how to apply them.
	REWARDS and BRIBERY    I know, I know, I've heard all the arguments.  You shouldn't have to bribe children.  They should do as they are told.  They should be excited about coming to class.  Yeah, yeah, yeah, and so what is more important?     They come to class, and they sit there, and listen to you lecture or read to them the lesson, because that is what Mom and Dad expects. . .    or . . .    They are excited to come to class, they look forward to what is going to happen this week,    They have their Bible in hand, they are ready to go to work when they come in the door, and when they see you outside the classroom,  they have an opinion to offer to you about something that happened in their life, or something that was said in class.    I don't know about you, but the earnest desire of my heart was to get the Word of God into them, and for them to remember something that they were taught while they were under my tutelage.     With this in mind I am a huge proponent of REWARDS, REWARDS, REWARDS . . .    You can't do too much.  Whatever it takes to get my students to participate in my lessons is what I am willing to do.    So, what do I mean by rewards?  Well, first off, I do NOT furnish refreshments for my class.  They must earn their refreshments.  For those who cannot be bothered to earn refreshments, I furnish a pitcher of water, and some plain saltine crackers.      For those who choose to earn refreshments, I offer packs of chips, soda, etc, each with a point value, whatever I can come up with that I think my students will be willing to work for.  I have found that my students love any type of sour candy, most types of chocolate, penny candies, jolly ranchers.  Put each different type in a bucket or container, and assign a specific point value to that container.     I purchase paper play money at the Dollar Store, and use it for points.    Unless the children in my class are very young, my point system is set up on the honor system.  Students earn points, and any time they have sufficient points available, in hand, they may redeem them for a chosen reward.  My students choose their rewards and turn in their points to any assistant.  I do not verify.  If they are cheating over a few pennies worth of candy, there are much bigger things to be concerned over and taught.    I would, however, explain, in the beginning, how the honor system will work, and what your expectations are.  Another understanding I have with my students is, that if I ever find candy wrappers thrown down anywhere, the rewards system will cease.    Each student should be responsible to clean their space, and put away any belongings before they leave the classroom.    As stated previously, my students are required to bring a Bible to class, so perhaps if they bring a regular Bible, I would reward them 5 points, but if they brought the Study Bible that I would prefer, I would reward them 10 points.     If they were on time to class, there would be specific point value.    Helping set up the classroom earns points.    If they return their assignment from the previous week, points would be rewarded.    Some weeks they are required to fulfill a task at home, and a note from a parent is required.  That would have a point value.    Class participation is huge, and is rewarded very generously.  Having out their note book and taking notes is rewarded very generously.    Showing respect, when fellow classmates are speaking, and taking notes is rewarded very generously.    There is no limit to the ideas you can come up with for rewards, and I have sometimes been amazed when the most shy child in my class is willing to share their opinion because they are going to be rewarded accordingly.    We have used this system repeatedly, with every age group, and have never had our students fail to respond, and to participate in our class.    We have taught students when they were in fifth and sixth grade, and received graduation cards with notes in them, reminding us of lessons we had taught, and how they would never forget our class.    We have had former students begin teaching, and teach the very same lessons we taught them, in exactly the same manner.    The Bible says to train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it.    The lessons you are teaching your students today, are the lessons they will be applying to their lives for eternity.    What will you do?  Will you just read a lesson, and think you've done your duty, or will you teach Biblical Principles that will last a lifetime?    Join with us in a new direction.  Let's teach the stories of the Bible, and then let's teach the principles of the Bible.    Let's REACH and TEACH the NEXT GENERATION
	Classroom Style    There are a few things that apply to every lesson plan presented:    1. You must have help.  If you truly have a desire to plant God's Word in your students' heart, at least one assistant is required for every 10 students in your classroom.     You will be the leader.  You will meet with your team before each lesson.  Everyone must be on the same page, and teaching exactly the same material in each group.  You can teach a group yourself, or supervise your assistants, but it is imperative with our teaching style, that each group be teaching exactly the same thing, in the same manner.    Do not allow the same students to be in the same group every time.  Figure out ways to mix them up, for example, number them off as they come into the classroom, or give each one a different colored paint chip, and have them write their names on the back, then assign a different number or color to each table.    Make your students responsible, and give extra rewards to those who go beyond the norm.  My students, who arrive early help set up my classroom, get refreshments ready, go make copies, etc.  I consider anything extra that they do as a learning experience, in preparation for the day that they will become a Bible teacher.    Ask for volunteers to help clean up, put away chairs, wipe tables, etc, and reward them accordingly.  I consider this a teaching experience, nothing that you do for God goes unrewarded, and even the smallest thing done for the kingdom is just as important as the big things.      2. You must have MONEY.  Because you will be rewarding your students, you must be able to provide rewards that your students are willing to work for.    How do you get the funds required?  If you are very fortunate, your organization has provided you with a budget to provide needed supplies.  If you are not so fortunate, and you can afford to supply your own rewards, you can write your expenses off as a donation.    However, there is another avenue you can take, and is one I have found to be very successful in allowing me to procure needed funds.  Share your burden for your children with others, especially those who do not have children still at home.  Explain how important you feel that it is to plant God's word in your student's heart while they are still young.  Ask your donors for a monthly contribution.  Invite your donors to come be a part of your class, so they can see how their contributions are being used.  Don't be shy.  There are a lot of older people who are no longer able to teach themselves, but who still have a desire to see young people learn to love God's Word.    3. You must be CONSISTENT - Once you implement a rewards system, you must be consistent.  The same rewards must apply across the board to everyone in the classroom.    Write down anything you promise.  Make sure ALL of your assistants are aware of the reward system, and how it is to be implemented.  You can develop your reward system in any style you choose, but you must be consistent, otherwise your students will not trust you, and therefore will not make the effort to earn their rewards.    You absolutely can not, and must not change the reward system once it is place, until you discuss it with your students.  Allow them to have input.  You will find they have a very concise idea of what is fair, and what is not.    They will watch your every move, and will quickly determine favoritism or unfairness, and will not hesitate to let you know.