Five Habits For Effective Teaching*

photo by dcJohn

Found these tips in an old folder from college (from one of my education courses). I think they're great, so I wanted to share. Perhaps some of you have already heard these, but I think they're worth repeating. 

Whether you're a classroom teacher, a homeschooling parent, a stay-at-home-mom, a babysitter... I think these five habits are applicable in many circumstances.

Here they are:

1. Recycle: Make it Stick. What do you want to make sure they never forget? (Identify the basic truths that need to be repeated weekly or monthly.)

2. Impress: Make it Big. What is the one thing you want them to understand? (Make sure everything keeps pointing to the main thing.)

3. Transition: Make it Flow. How are you going to keep them engaged? (Use strategic words and tools to connect each segment.)

4. Personalize: Make it Real. What can you model for them? (Show them a lesson or struggle from your personal life.)

5. Apply: Make it Fit. What do you want them to walk away and do? (Give them a clear and easy next step.)

"If certain truths really have life-changing potential then we need to be intentional about how we communicate them."

* These five habits are quoted from 252Basics.