No matter how exciting our lessons, how well-planned or executed, no matter how innovative or hands-on, how scholarly or inspired—reality is that children remember best what they themselves "produce." I remember teaching my 8th grade Science class physics by having them conceptualize, and produce a model for an amusement park ride we called "Volcano". We even had a class trip to Great Adventure in New Jersey on Physics Day where we put some of our theories to the test.
Both teachers and students appreciate colorful, well-designed curriculum with high interest and appropriate expectations. However, the lesson that is teacher-produced has a short-term effect and very little staying value in the mind (let alone the heart) of the child. On the other hand, the lesson that engages the student and requires his response achieves a longer-term effect. The degree to which the student is engaged determines the total impact on his life and heart.
All Christian education aims to form character and scholarship worthy of Christ. Our curriculum places the burden of learning upon the student, challenging his reason, causing him to research and relate, and thus impacting his life through the formation of Christian character. As a result, the student is able to articulate the subject out of his own thinking.
A recent visitor to one of our school's presentations asked students who had just presented a series of orations and other presentations why they didn’t appear nervous before such a large group. The students replied nearly in unison, “Because we’ve been doing this since kindergarten!” Their quick response verified their experience in a curriculum that impacts character thus producing leaders. The most obvious mark of the leader is the ability to speak confidently, even persuasively, and out of his own conviction before others. This should be the ultimate curriculum test: resulting in a student who has the character and skill to fulfill the great commission—discipling the nations for Christ.
Grace and Peace,
Ed
