Tips 4 Teachers
By Mrs Alison Wheldon
Posted on 10 October 2008
Where's the Big Picture?
When our daughters were younger, we would often do a large jigsaw puzzle during the school holidays. I’m talking large, thousands of pieces. The dining room table would be extended, and a cover placed over it to protect it from the many teacups, glasses and so on that would accommodate it over the time it took to complete the puzzle. It also signalled to our family a relaxing of meals protocol, allowing us to have dinner on our laps, which was a rare treat for our children!
The jigsaw attracted us all in our own ways. One of us would sit at the table for long periods of time, poring over the picture and the pieces. One would just stop as they walked past, grab a few pieces and give them a go. It was also fascinating to observe the strategies used by different family members – whether to start with the outside border, or to focus on a particular section of the picture. It was like a little dance, look at the picture on the box…look at the pieces…look at the sections of the puzzle already completed...look back at the picture… and so it went on.
There was often a little squabble about who would put the last piece in place. Whatever the method, it was always so rewarding when all the pieces were placed and the picture was revealed and complete. The completed puzzle was usually left there for a week or so for all to admire and as testimony to our labours!
Christian Studies programs in schools are often like jigsaw puzzles. We provide our students with all the pieces, each part colourful and meaningful. We all have different ways to approach how we teach it, spending extended time periods, or just dipping in and out throughout the week.
What we often fail to do, though, is to provide our students with the big picture. Our students come through our Christian schools with lots of knowledge about particular stories, topics and themes from the Bible. These bits of knowledge are like the pieces of a puzzle, but for many students, they have never been shown the big picture. For many, right through to adulthood, their understanding of the Bible will remain fragmented.
It’s essential to see the overview, the big picture, of the Bible. It explains God’s plan for the salvation of his creation, and how he continues to fulfil it. Perhaps you are a person who has reached adulthood without being shown the big picture of History. That’s nothing to be ashamed of; it’s actually more common than you’d think. If this is true for you, you can do something about it. There are many good resources to help you.
The overview of the Bible is often left until Year 7, but I’d suggest that it be covered much earlier. Through a spiral curriculum, schools should be demonstrating to students how each piece of the puzzle fits the big picture.
Start your planning for next year now. To assist you, we have a limited number of classroom posters which can be sent to you free of charge. These colourful posters will enhance the teaching of your unit. If you would like help in any of the areas mentioned above, contact Alison Wheldon.
