SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 18333, 21 July 1923, Page 14

SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES

[By Forward.]

Titans of interest—short, bright paragraphs of iiowo, comments on these Notes, inquiries about difficulties—will bo v/eloomod by “Forward.”]

“In tlio ideals of tlio children lie any hope Hint wo may cherish for a hotter to-morrow. Moreover, the child is the gateway to the hearts and the homes of the narents tho world over.”

“ For nations aro gathered out of mirscrics.”—Charles Kingsley._ Which method works host with youP A serious question for intermediate teachers.

Do I hear an intermediate teacher saying, “ I’d no idea there were different methods. I thought there was only one.” Yes, my friend, but which is tho one? Is 'it simply muddle through? Hero arc some methods, and I want you to sco which ono yours approximates: (a) The recitation method, by which tlio teacher assigns parts of tho > lesson to various pupils and hoars their recitations in the class session. Hero your task is to influence your pupils to do their work well. Anything fdipshod moans failure. Tho maximum of work seems on tho pupil, hut tlio teacher who fancies this an easy way has n wrong idea. (b) The discussion method, by whmn tho teacher develops the lesson during the class period through the use ol skilful questions that provoke nsclnl discussions by flic class. Here, again, nothing must ho ielt to chance. 'lhe teacher’s preparation must ho thorough, and a definite plan of procedure must bn in vour mind, ion will have often to adapt your plan as you proceed, hut a definite plan you must start nil with. (c) Tlio ..co-operative method, by which the teacher assigns mailer a week in advance, but develops tho lesson on the discussion principle^ (d) The lecture method, by which the teacher does tho talking, delivery, and definite, systematic discourse on the lesson. This is an imitation of the preacher. This nay, I should say, is fatal, except on a very technical subject. (d) The sclf-fcaching plan. I',very pupil has Ids Bible, note hook and pomii, and his self-teaching gnido to tell him what to do. On the tabic is a portfolio containing maps, pictures, plans—all that is needed for tho development of the lesson.

Sometimes tho teacher gives a class lesson, hut when this happens it is short ami to tho point. 1 apt sure there is awaiting ns as intermediate teachers help in this self-teaching or Dalton method.

Now, I repeat my question, “ AVhieh method is yours?’’ If yon have found a bettor than one, of these please scud mo an account of it; JOTTINGS.

A most cfrcctivo wuy of presenting missions to a department is to observe special days, such ns “ China Day,” “ Africa Day,” “ Japan Day,” cic. This would give a splendid opportunity for skill and taste in the room scheme. Think of a room ready for “ China day ” —lanterns, screens, fans, pictures, mats, and posters. I cun imagine that a lesson on Chinese missions amid such surroundings would be impressive. Each department should have a portion of Scripture read. Wo need a dramatic reading of Scripture. Anything lifeless and mechanical about the reading, with no appreciation of the music and sense of the noble words, will simply deaden and kill. Try a ,beautiful passage selected from tile Psalms or Isaiah as part of your worship. Each department .should have its departmental Bible, a largo, bcautiiul copy for the public reading. Air Pearce when hero told of n very beautiful thing he saw in one department. There was a specially made book stand painted in white and gold, and on this lay a bountiful copy of the Bible, which at the reading time was used reverently.

On Sunday last at First Church Miss Warner had the same idea. She had a dainty white cover on a stool, and on this lay the departmental Bible. Some" schools are developing the use of good pictures as a means of teaching. On Sunday last 1 saw a very telling item in the intermediate programme at St. Andrew’s. Miss Findlay, the directress, gave a short, pointed address on definite decision, pointing out that, as the department had just entered on its new year’s work, the great ideal was that each pupil should make the supreme act of decision. To emphasise the point a beautiful piciure was hung on the wall, a present (a the department from the leader. Air G. P. Inglis. The picture is that great masterpiece ‘ The Great Decision,’ and there it will hang, giving out its silent call throughout the year.

“ TUB CHILD IX LITERATURE.” Every Sunday school teacher should cut out and preserve the report of Dr Waddell's Icdurc on ‘The Child in Literature,’ which appeared in Tuesday’s ‘ Star.’ It was one of the most telling addresses ever delivered in Dunedin on such a -subject. What serious questions wore answered! One felt that literature was giving the child a, foremost place; hot the painful doubt was surging through many a mind, “ is the Church as vise as the worldf Is the Church in reality giving the child its true place?” Ono must judge tins mat tor by the* supply of toachcis lutnished to' cnrrv on our Sunday schools. Dr 'Waddell'ha cl a supply of chastely owutccl cards hearing quotations on his subject. These were distributed by tlic doctor to the audience. This beautiful idea and the dainty room theme of foliage and posters was Miss Warner’s work.