Read 1 Samuel 16:7
Perceptions based on what we see when we work with our students can be misleading. The stages of literacy development vary from student to student regardless of their age and grade level. Language Arts teachers must look at the heart of the learner to find their strengths and weaknesses to develop effective instruction to meet student needs on an individual basis.
As the scripture in 1 Samuel iterates, God looks at the hearts of believers and not just their outward appearances. Our students all have varying degrees of learning and understanding. Literacy is not just about decoding words; it’s about deciphering the deeper meanings. Understanding written words activates prior knowledge, ideas and perceptions. Language Arts teachers should guide students into a greater understanding of their world, especially when allowing God’s wisdom to shape their understanding. We must approach literacy with the desire to see as God sees. God will grant us discernment to choose words that edify, stories that inspire, and ideas that reflect His truth to our students.
God is the giver of all wisdom. He will open our eyes to perceive how our students learn and understand. Let us approach teaching literacy with the desire to see others as God sees them.
Applying this scripture to teaching Language Arts, answer the following questions:
- Consider how success breeds success, and apply the scripture to how a teacher can use its meaning to ensure student success. Explain how you will use this in your classroom as a basis for instruction.
- Grade levels do not always dictate a student’s developmental readiness. How will you look to the heart of the student to determine their readiness level?
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