Principles of Christlike Teaching: Teach by the Spirit

Always be ready to respond to spiritual promptings about the needs of learners.

Skill

Ask a question to assess learning before moving on in the lesson.

Define

Teaching in the Savior’s Way invites us to ponder the following question: “Do those you teach know that you are more interested in their learning than in completing a lesson?” Teachers can show they are interested in students’ learning by asking clarifying questions before moving on to the next portion of a lesson. To do this, the teacher takes a minute after a principle, topic, or question is discussed to ask a question to clarify what students are understanding. Examples of these questions include:

• What are you learning?

• What questions do you still have about what we are learning?

• Is there anything else you are wondering about?

• Was any of this confusing or unclear?

These questions assess students’ learning and understanding and should not be asked in a way that might embarrass them. The responses to these questions invite the Holy Ghost to help a teacher discern how to respond to students’ needs.

The models and practices below are general examples. Training will be more effective if models and practice opportunities are connected to the next lessons that will be covered in the curriculum.

Model

• After a discussion on faith, Sister Robinson pauses and asks: “Before we move on to the next scripture block, is there anything else you are wondering about faith?”

• After studying scriptures about the Second Coming, Brother Moon asks, “How would you describe what you are learning about the Second Coming?”

Click here to see a video of this model.

Practice

1. What questions can you ask to assess students’ understanding after a discussion about revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3?

2. Look at an upcoming lesson in the curriculum. Write some questions you can ask to assess students’ understanding of a topic before moving on.

Discuss or Ponder

• How might these types of questions help you to be ready to respond to spiritual promptings about the needs of your students?

Incorporate

• In the next two weeks, try asking questions to assess students’ learning before moving to the next topic in the lesson. Pay attention to students’ responses and promptings of the Holy Ghost as you incorporate this skill into the classroom experience.

Want More?

• “An Evening with Elder David A. Bednar” (Evening with a General Authority, Feb. 7, 2020), ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Skill

Listen to and observe students to ask follow-up questions.

Define

Teachers who ask effective follow-up questions carefully observe their students in class and listen keenly to their responses and questions. Some ways to prepare follow-up questions is to:

• Carefully listen, focusing on what the student is saying, including expression and tone.

• Observe facial expressions, body language, or what a student is doing.

• While listening and observing, ask yourself, “What do I want to know more about regarding the comment, question, or the student?” Then ask the student about what you want to know.

A follow-up question might start out, “Tell me more about …” or “I noticed some emotion as you shared. Can you help me understand what you are feeling?” This allows the teacher to remain focused on the student and gives the student an opportunity to engage on a deeper level. Additionally, it invites revelation from the Spirit, for both the learner and the teacher.

Model

• Juan shares an experience about a prayer his family offered. Based on the emotion in his voice, the prayer seems to mean a lot to him. As Sister Rivera listens, she asks herself, “What do I want to know more about from this experience?” Sister Rivera wants to know what he learned about Heavenly Father, so she asks, “Juan, what did you learn about Heavenly Father from your experience with prayer?”

Click here to see a video of this model.

Practice

As you read the following comments from students, ask yourself, “What do I want to know more about?” Write down a follow-up question you might ask this student.

• Excitedly a student says, “The other day I was reading the scriptures and found a phrase that I really needed to hear.”

• With a little frustration on her face, a student asks, “How can I know when it is my own thought or when the Holy Ghost is speaking?”

• A student says, “This scripture reminds me of what President Nelson said about being peacemakers.”

Discuss and Ponder

• Why is listening and observing important when asking a follow-up question?

• Why is asking follow-up questions an important part of the learning experience?

Incorporate

• Create a plan that can help you continue to listen and observe to ask follow-up questions.

Want More?

• David A. Bednar and Chad H Webb, “Discussion,” (evening with a General Authority, Feb. 7, 2020), Gospel Library