Want to help your students to better connect what they study and what the Bible teaches? If so, make sure you can make better connections.
 
Question: How can you do this?
 
By identifying your own learning needs. And then by developing an action plan to meet 1 of your own learning needs.
 
To develop your action plan, ask yourself the following 7 questions. Better yet, invite a colleague to ask you:

1. What subjects do you teach?
2. What excites/concerns you about connecting what you teach and what the Bible teaches? 
3. Which learning needs do you have?
4. Which learning need would you like to meet?
5. What are some ways you could meet this learning need? 
6. What action step will you take to meet this learning need?
7. When will you take this action step?

Bottom line: Meet your own learning needs. Take action. Today.

“I’ve got to find ways to help them.” You’re sitting at your desk, thinking: “I’ve got find ways to help my students connect what they study and what the Bible teaches. But how can I help when I don’t really get how what I teach is connected to what the Bible teaches?”
 
Question: What can you do to better connect what you teach and what the Bibles teaches?
 
Start by identifying your own learning needs. To help get you started on identifying your own learning needs, ask yourself, “Which of the following 10 items describe how I feel about helping students connect what they study and what the Bible teaches?”

(1) Speaking practically, this doesn’t seem to be a real priority. I mean, teachers model Christlike behavior, talk with students about Christ, and do devotions, Bible class, and chapel. Students get this part of a Biblical perspective—they encourage each other, help lead devotions and chapel, and participate in Bible class. And parents like what we do—seems pretty good as is. Is increasing student understanding and use of a Biblical perspective of course content a real priority?

I’m not asked to grade my students on this. It’s not part of ITBS, PSAT, SAT, or AP tests. It’s not on college applications. If my students don’t master a certain skill, parents are concerned—no parent has ever talked to me about how well their child understands a Biblical perspective of my course content. When my students don’t master certain content or skills, I hear about it from the teacher above me—I don’t think I really teach a Biblical perspective of my subject, and no teacher above has talked to me about this.

Neither has my principal. And my principal has not asked to see sample assignments in which my students demonstrate their understanding and use of a Biblical perspective. I think I could get this if someone would work with me and if I was held accountable to do this.

(2) This doesn’t come up at my church or at home. My family and my church talk about being a Christian. We talk about living for Jesus, doing devotions, and telling others about Jesus. I’m not sure how my faith is related to my subject area. I’m not sure I could explain a Biblical perspective of my course content. I think other teachers might get this, so I don’t want to bring it up.

(3) I’m not sure what it looks like. I know what telling others about Jesus looks like—I read missionary biographies and I go on mission trips with my church. What does teaching a Biblical perspective look like? How do you assess student understanding and use of a Biblical perspective? And what does quality student work look like when a student is demonstrating that she understands a Biblical perspective?

(4) My colleagues say they teach from a Biblical perspective, but I don’t understand how that works. I believe them, but I don’t get it. They have their students work in groups and learn muscle names, but I don’t understand how this is part of Christian education. They seem to mostly do the same things that my non-Christian friends who teach do. What’s the difference?

(5) I don't always understand the vocabulary—integration of faith and learning, worldview, just war theory, year of Jubilee. Could I get a vocabulary list with definitions on it?

(6) Teaching what the Bible teaches is boring. I mean, it’s black and white, and I mostly lecture—that’s not fun for me or for my students. Sometimes I do object lessons. I want my students to experience engaging instructional strategies. Any ideas?

(7) I need to think through the answers for myself. I hear answers at meetings and workshops. But to really understand the answers, I need to think them through for myself. I probably need to write out what I think.

(8) I need time to think about what I’m teaching. I teach all day, am involved in after school activities, and mark papers at night. When am I supposed to find time to reflect on my teaching? Is there any way reflection time could be built into my schedule? Into the meetings I attend?

(9) To really get this, I need to connect the Bible with my life, not just with what I teach in class. If I could connect the Bible with my daily life, I think I could get a better handle on teaching from a Biblical perspective. I read about current events, and I’m not always sure how the Bible applies.

(10) I need more feedback. I like getting feedback about my teaching from my colleagues and principal. To get better at teaching from a Biblical perspective, I need more feedback on my content, assessment, and instruction. And I need a way to know how many of my students are at or above standard on understanding and using a Biblical perspective. I know that everyone is busy, but I could really use some help.
 
Question: So, what are your learning needs?
 
Bottom line: Meet your own learning needs. Start by identifying them. Today.

Here are 8 ways to meet your students’ learning needs:

1. To help your students see the importance of Biblical perspective, give them an assessment that requires them to connect what they study and what the Bible teaches.
2. To help your students understand that a Biblical perspective can be applied to course content, show them an example.
3. To help your students understand how you teach from a Biblical perspective, explain how you use a Biblical perspective to choose instructional strategies.
4. To help your students learn key vocabulary words, do a vocabulary lesson.
5. To help your students experience engaging instructional strategies, use case studies and questions.
6. To provide time during class for reflection, have your student journal during class.
7. To help your students connect what they study, what the Bible teaches, and life, give an assessment requiring students to connect all 3.
8. To give your students more practice connecting what they study and what the Bible teaches, give more assessments

 
Bottom line: Help your students better connect what they study and what the Bible teaches. Take action to meet their learning needs. Today.

You want to help your middle school students better connect what they study and what the Bible teaches. You know that meeting their learning needs is a good place to start. And you know that in order to meet your students’ learning needs, you have to know what they are.
 
Question: What are your students’ learning needs?
 
To help get you get started on identifying your students’ learning needs, ask yourself, “Which of the following 10 items might I hear my kids say?”

1. This doesn’t seem important. My teachers don’t grade me on this. When I wasn’t doing well in science, my teacher talked to me—I don’t think I understand a Biblical perspective, and no teacher has talked to me about this. Do teachers really think this is important?
2. This doesn’t come up at my church or at home. My family and my church talk about being a Christian. We talk about living for Jesus, doing devotions, and telling others about Jesus. I don’t get what my faith has to do with the Greeks or Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. The teacher did mention this in the beginning of the year, but that was a long time ago, and I kind of forgot how it all connects. I think other students might get this, so I don’t want to ask.
3. I don't know what it looks like. I know what telling others about Jesus looks like—we read missionary biographies at school and I go on mission trips with my church. What does doing a good job on using a Biblical perspective look like in an essay? And what does this look like in the computer world? I want to work for Apple.
4. My teachers say they teach from a Biblical perspective, but I don’t understand how that works. I believe them, but I don’t get it. They have us work in groups and learn parts of speech, but they don’t explain how this is part of Christian education. We seem to mostly do the same things my friends do at schools that aren’t Christian. What’s the difference?
5. I don't understand the vocabulary—Biblical perspective, integrate faith and learning, image bearer, temple of the Holy Spirit, worldview. Teachers talk, but I don’t always understand the words. Could I get vocabulary list with definitions on it?
6. Learning what the Bible teaches is boring. Well, Bible class isn’t boring, but the way teachers teach about the Bible in other classes is boring. Mostly lecture–this doesn’t really help me understand a Biblical perspective of what I’m studying. I like discussing things. So do my friends.
7. I need to think through answers for myself. I listen to teachers talk. They give good answers. But to really understand the answers, I need to think them through for myself. Maybe the teachers could ask more questions. Questions that have more than one right answer. One of my teachers asks us “Where do you belong?” all the time.
8. I need time to think about what I’m learning. We don’t really do this in class, and I’ve got sports after school and homework at night. When am I supposed to find time to reflect? Could we do some journaling during class?
9. To really get this, I need to connect the Bible with my life, not just with what I study in class. If my teachers would give me chances to connect the Bible with my life–my music, my relationships, my problems—I think I could get it. One of my homeschooler friends got to analyze a CD from a Biblical perspective. That sounds pretty cool.
10. I need more chances to practice. It’s hard for me to get good at using a Biblical perspective when I don’t get enough practice. Using a Biblical perspective takes skill. I get repeated skill practice in math, and I’m good at it. Can I get more skill practice?

 
Question: So, what are your students’ learning needs?
 
Bottom line: Help your students better connect what they study and what the Bible teaches. Identify their learning needs. Today.

You want your students to increase their understanding and application of a Biblical perspective. You know that 1 way to do this is by meeting your students’ learning needs.

Question: How can you get started?

Answer: By taking the following self-assessment. Rate each item, using the following scale:

4: Strongly agree • 3: Agree • 2: Disagree • 1: Strongly disagree

___ I know what learning needs are. (Read)
___ I use an effective process for addressing my students’ learning needs. (Watch, Read, Discuss)

___ My students understand the importance of Biblical perspective. (Read, Discuss)
___ My students understand that a Biblical perspective can be applied to course content. (Read, Discuss)
___ My students know what applying a Biblical perspective looks like. (Read, Discuss)
___ My students can explain how I teach from a Biblical perspective. (Read, Discuss)
___ My students understand the vocabulary words necessary for understanding and applying a Biblical perspective. (Read, Discuss)

___ My students experience engaging instructional strategies. (Read, Discuss 1, Discuss 2)
___ My students have opportunities to think through answers for themselves. (Read, Discuss)
___ My students have time in class to reflect. (Read, Discuss)
___ My assessments require my students to connect a Biblical perspective with their lives. (Read)
___ My students get regular practice in applying a Biblical perspective to what they study. (Read, Discuss)

___ To help my students increase their understanding and application of a Biblical perspective, I meet their learning needs.
___ I want to learn more about meeting my students’ learning needs.
___ I am committed to helping my students increase their understanding and application of a Biblical perspective.

Now, ask yourself 4 questions about the data:

1. How many 4s, 3s, 2s, and 1s do I have?
2. What excites/frutrates me about the data?
3. Which items do I want to learn more about?
4. What will I do?

Additional resources:

1. Tutorial: Meet your students’ learning needs
2. Use the IDEAL process to help your students internalize a Biblical perspective
3. Action plan bank for meeting student learning needs
4. To meet your students' learning needs, explore 12 questions

You want your students to develop a Christ-centered worldview. So, you want your students to increase their understanding and application of a Biblical perspective. To help them, you know you’ll need to meet their learning needs.

Question: How can you learn more about meeting your students’ learning needs?

Answer: By exploring the following list of 12 questions. The list comes with readings and discussion guides:

1. What are sample learning needs? (Read)
2. How can you meet your students’ learning needs? (Watch, Read, Discuss)
3. How can you help your students see the importance of Biblical perspective? (Read, Discuss)
4. How can you help your students understand that a Biblical perspective can be applied to course content? (Read, Discuss)
5. How can you show your students what applying a Biblical perspective looks like? (Read, Discuss)
6. How can you help your students understand how you teach from a Biblical perspective? (Read, Discuss)
7. What vocabulary words do your students need to learn? (Read, Discuss)
8. What engaging instructional strategies will help your students? (Read, Discuss 1, Discuss 2)
   
9. How can you give your students opportunities to think through answers for themselves? (Read, Discuss)
10. How can you provide time during class for reflection? (Read, Discuss)
11. How can you design assessments so that your students connect a Biblical perspective with their lives? (Read, Discuss)
12. How can you give your students more practice? (Read, Discuss)

Remember: The real question isn't "How can you learn more about meeting your students’ learning needs?" The real question is, "How will you help your students increase their understanding and application of a Biblical perspective?"


Additional resources:

1. Self-assessment: To better meet your students' learning needs, take this self-assessment
2. Tutorial: Meet your students’ learning needs
3. Use the IDEAL process to help your students internalize a Biblical perspective
4. Action plan bank for meeting student learning needs

You want your students to connect what they study and what the Bible teaches. One way you can help your students is by meeting their learning needs.

Question: What are your students’ learning needs?

Suggestion: To determine what your students’ learning needs are...

• Read the list of 10 learning needs (below), considering which needs your students have. (The needs have been phrased in student language.)
• Do something to meet 1 of the needs you identified.

(1) This doesn’t seem important. My teachers don’t grade me on this. When I wasn’t doing well in science, my teacher talked to me—I don’t think I understand a Biblical perspective, and no teacher has talked to me about this. Do teachers really think this is important? 

(2) This doesn’t come up at my church or at home. My family and my church talk about being a Christian. We talk about living for Jesus, doing devotions, and telling others about Jesus. I don’t get what my faith has to do with the Greeks or Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. The teacher did mention this in the beginning of the year, but that was a long time ago, and I kind of forgot how it all connects. I think other students might get this, so I don’t want to ask. 

(3) I don't know what it looks like. I know what telling others about Jesus looks like—we read missionary biographies at school and I go on mission trips with my church. What does doing a good job on using a Biblical perspective look like in an essay? And what does this look like in the computer world? I want to work for Apple. 

(4) My teachers say they teach from a Biblical perspective, but I don’t understand how that works. I believe them, but I don’t get it. They have us work in groups and learn parts of speech, but they don’t explain how this is part of Christian education. We seem to mostly do the same things my friends do at schools that aren’t Christian. What’s the difference? 

(5) I don't understand the vocabulary—Biblical perspective, integrate faith and learning, image bearer, temple of the Holy Spirit, worldview. Teachers talk, but I don’t always understand the words. Could I get vocabulary list with definitions on it? 

(6) Learning what the Bible teaches is boring. Well, Bible class isn’t boring, but the way teachers teach about the Bible in other classes is boring. Mostly lecture–this doesn’t really help me understand a Biblical perspective of what I’m studying. I like discussing things. So do my friends. 

(7) I need to think through answers for myself. I listen to teachers talk. They give good answers. But to really understand the answers, I need to think them through for myself. Maybe the teachers could ask more questions. Questions that have more than one right answer. One of my teachers asks us “Where do you belong?” all the time. 

(8) I need time to think about what I’m learning. We don’t really do this in class, and I’ve got sports after school and homework at night. When am I supposed to find time to reflect? Could we do some journaling during class? 

(9) To really get this, I need to connect the Bible with my life, not just with what I study in class. If my teachers would give me chances to connect the Bible with my life–my music, my relationships, my problems—I think I could get it. One of my homeschooler friends got to analyze a CD from a Biblical perspective. That sounds pretty cool. 

(10) I need more chances to practice. It’s hard for me to get good at using a Biblical perspective when I don’t get enough practice. Using a Biblical perspective takes skill. I get repeated skill practice in math, and I’m good at it. Can I get more skill practice? 

Here's a set of DRAW questions you can use for a discussion of “How can you meet student learning needs?”
 
Define: Get the facts defined.

1. What are your students like?
2. What are your students studying?
3. What connections are your students making between what they study and what the Bible teaches?

Respond: Get the facts responded to in terms of feelings/experiences.

1. How do your students feel about connecting what they study and what the Bible teaches?
2. What encourages/discourages you about how your students are connecting what they study and what the Bible teaches? 

Analyze: Get the facts, feelings, and experiences analyzed.

1. What helps/hinders your students connecting what they study and what the Bible teaches?
2. Which student learning needs do your students have?
3. Which student learning need would you like to meet?
4. What are some ways you could meet this student learning need? 

What’s next?: Get next steps considered.

1. What action step will you take to meet this student learning need?
2. How will this action step help your students connect what they study and what the Bible teaches?
3. When will you take this action step?

To help your students better connect what they study and what the Bible teaches, DEAL with your students’ learning needs:

• Define your students’ learning needs.
• Explore the how you can respond to your students’ learning needs.
• Act.
• Look at the results.

Looking for ways to help your students increase their understanding and use of a Biblical perspective? Here’s a list of 10: 

1. Demonstrate to your students that you value using a Biblical perspective by giving and grading assignments that require students to demonstrate their understanding of and ability to use a Biblical perspective.
2. Teach your students three Biblical truths, for example, human beings are created in God’s image, Christians are not to practice favoritism, and language is a gift from God. Post these truths on your bulletin board, and refer to them throughout the year.
3. Before assigning an essay requiring students to use a Biblical perspective, have your students read two or more sample essays that demonstrate using a Biblical perspective effectively.
4. Regularly explain how your faith informs your selection of content, assessment, and instruction. For example, explain to your students that they are going to learn about ecology because God commands us to take care of His world.
5. Teach key vocabulary: Biblical perspective, integration of faith and learning, image bearer, temple of the Holy Spirit, and worldview.
6. Use engaging instructional strategies like discussion and debate.
7. Ask open-ended questions: Where do I belong? What’s wrong? How can I use my gifts and learning to serve God and others?
8. Give your students time to reflect in class. During each unit, have your students journal about connections between their faith and what they are studying.
9. Give assignments that require your students to connect course content, their lives, and a Biblical perspective: “Write a 500-word critique of a favorite song from a Biblical perspective. Explain the author’s meaning, the literary and poetic techniques the author uses to communicate the meaning, evaluate that meaning from a Biblical perspective, and weave in your response to the lyrics.”
10. In each unit, give your students practice using a Biblical perspective. Have them do case studies, projects, and presentations.

To get an idea of how you can more effectively help students increase their understanding and application of a Biblical perspective, complete the following self-assessment on meeting student learning needs. Next, use your self-assessment data to develop action plans to meet student learning needs more effectively.

Rate each statement below. Use the following scale:
5: Consistently • 4: Usually • 3: OK • 2: Sort of • 1: Rarely

Self-Assessment for Teachers

1. I know what my students’ learning needs are regarding understanding and using a Biblical perspective.
   
2. I grade my Biblical perspective assessments.
   
3. Before assigning a Biblical perspective assessment, I show students samples of what applying a Biblical perspective looks like.
   
4. I teach students a Biblical perspective of what they are studying.
   
5. I explain how a Biblical perspective impacts my choice of course content and instructional strategies.
   
6. I use engaging instructional strategies when helping students to understand and apply a Biblical perspective.
   
7. I teach students the vocabulary words they need to in order to understand and apply a Biblical perspective.
   
8. I encourage students to think through my Biblical perspective questions for themselves.
   
9. I give time in class for students to reflect on how a Biblical perspective applies to what they are studying and to their lives.
   
10. I give students repeated practice in applying a Biblical perspective.
    
11. I meet student learning needs regarding understanding and applying a Biblical perspective.
    
12. I am committed to meeting student learning needs in order to help students increase their understanding and application of a Biblical perspective.

Self-Assessment for Principals

1. Teachers know what our students’ learning needs are regarding understanding and using a Biblical perspective.
   
2. Teachers grade Biblical perspective assessments.
   
3. Before assigning a Biblical perspective assessment, teachers show students samples of what applying a Biblical perspective looks like.
   
4. Teachers use engaging instructional strategies when helping students to understand and apply a Biblical perspective.
   
5. Teachers give time in class for students to reflect on how a Biblical perspective applies to what they are studying and to their lives.
   
6. Teachers give students repeated practice in applying a Biblical perspective.
   
7. Teachers meet students’ learning needs regarding understanding and applying a Biblical perspective.
   
8. I am committed to having teachers meet student learning needs in order to help students increase their understanding and application of a Biblical perspective.

Your students’ objective is to increase their understanding and use of a biblical perspective of course content. You want to help your students achieve their objective. Good.

Now what? Answer 1 of the following 10 questions. Then use your answer. You might be tempted to answer more than 1 question. Don’t. Keep it simple and doable. Just answer 1 question—then use your 1 answer.

Here are the 10 questions:

1. How can I help my students see the importance of understanding and using a biblical perspective?
   
2. How can I help my students understand that there’s biblical perspective of course content?
   
3. How can I help my students understand what effective application of a biblical perspective looks like on a classroom assessment?
   
4. How can I help my students understand how I teach from a biblical perspective?
   
5. What vocabulary words do my students need to learn?
   
6. What engaging instructional strategies will help my students?
   
7. How can I give my students opportunities to think through answers for themselves?
   
8. How much time during class do my students need for reflection?
   
9. How can I design assessments so that my students connect a biblical perspective with their lives?
   
10. How can I give my students more practice in using a biblical perspective?

Remember, the goal is not to have an answer. The goal is to use your answer to help your students increase their understanding and use of a biblical perspective of course content. Today.

*For a set of discussion questions you can use to further reflect on this blog entry, click here.

You’re sitting in your classroom thinking: “How can I help them get this? I’m supposed to teach them a biblical perspective. Maybe I should talk with Tom. Michele mentioned a good book and a workshop next month. I wonder if we should work as a department to develop some curriculum for this. What would be the best thing to do?”

Stop.

Don’t start by talking to a colleague. Don’t start by a reading book or attending a workshop. Don’t start by writing curriculum. These are solutions. Instead, begin by defining your students’ learning needs by looking at your students’ work and talking with them.

Remember, the goal is for your students to increase their understanding and use of a biblical perspective, not for you to be the master at teaching from a biblical perspective.

What’s an IDEAL way to help your students? IDEAL is a five-step process you can use to help your students understand and use a biblical perspective:

• Identify the problem and ask God for help.
  
• Define your students’ learning needs. Look at your students’ work. Talk with your students or give them a survey. As necessary, talk with parents and colleagues. Do this in order to select one student learning need you will address.
  
• Explore ways to address the student learning need you selected. Pick one and make a plan to address it. Now get the training and support you need.
  
• Act. Just do it! And be sure to tell your students what you are doing and why.
  
• Look at the results. Discuss them with your students and colleagues.

Use the IDEAL process to meet your students’ learning needs. Today.