Running head: reflection of entry point chapter 4 1

Reflection of Entry Point Chapter 4

Lun Sian Cing

International Teachers College

Dr. J. Spanogle

12th April, 2017

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Reflection:

In this chapter Viewing the Whole Curriculum, I have learned about :-

1. The nature of knowledge

2. A biblical view of the child.

3. A question of methods.

4. The teachers role and

5. Assessment.

In The nature of knowledge, the authors gave three main topics which are:-

1.1 The Biblical Concept of Knowledge (the authors explained explicitly of the Hebrew

word Yada and the different contexts the word was used to show that Knowing in the biblical

sense requires a heart commitment and involves the will, consciousness, emotions and intellect.

1.2 Wisdom (the authors have connected Wisdom and Knowledge by quoting Proverbs

9:10, 8:32-36 and also Romans 16:27 and James 1:5. They have also asserts that Wisdom comes

from applying biblical norms to everyday life situations and makes no distinction between sacred

and secular areas.

1.3 Knowledge and the curriculum (the authors directed the readers attention to the

application of Christian perspective in the school by saying that many Christian now argue that

beliefs and values, which are the foundations to commitment, cannot be separated from what is

taught and how. Whether we acknowledge it or not, beliefs and values, which have a bearing on

our commitments and actions, are intimately linked to and integrated with the educational

enterprise.

In A Biblical View of a Child, the authors gave four main topics which are:-
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2.1 The nature of humanity (here the authors reminded the readers that human beings are

created by God [as a religious being, a creature, and unique], an image-bearer [to glorify God, to

love the Lord, to go and make disciples, and to care for and develop the earth and function as the

prophetic, priestly, and the kingly], and the nature of a child by providing the holistic character

[unity, rational, interactive, responsible, free to choose, accountable, morally aware, and creative]

and the fallen character [sinner] and the redemptive character [new creation].

2.2 The child and learning (the author claimed that every child is unique with different

gifts and that they will not achieve the same goal in the same pattern.

2.3 The child with special needs (here the authors gave the readers several points to know

how to encourage a child with special needs and that Whatever the disability, whether of an

intellectual or physical nature, the child him or herself is completely loved and accepted.

2.4 Creating the right atmosphere (the authors emphasize specifically on teachers to

create an atmosphere for students whenever there are difficulties among them in their learning

process. Most importantly, they asserts that assessment policies should always reflect the

equal worth of each person and their calling.

In A question of methods the authors put several points of reflections of the way

to assure the teachers if their teaching methods are effective or not. They are:-

3.1 What and Why? (Teachers have to reflect on their activities by asking

question What does it do? and Does it work?

3.2 When and Where? (Our Christian concern for each individual may lead us

to recognise individual learning styles, for example, while rejecting certain values of

the wider society which might also be reflected in pupils approaches to learning,

such as intense competitiveness.)

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3.3 Whom? (Teachers should reflect on how they view their students in Gods

image and who they are in Gods image.)

In The Teachers Role the authors specify to the teachers by:-

4.1 The changing nature of the role of the teacher (the traditional role of a

teacher has focused on authoritarian methods of instruction and the transmission

of specific content, knowledge and skills to the uninitiated child and the

progressive role of a teacher focuses on the personal growth and the development

of the individual. The emphasis is on processes of learning, the relevance of the

content and skills to the childs interests and of teaching methods to the childs

ability.

4.2 Calling or Profession (It is important to know if teaching is our calling or a

profession we chose because qualifications alone are not sufficient if teaching is a

calling, and state qualifications are therefore not always regarded as important in

Christian contexts.

4.3 Developing Relationships (Teachers are the central-part to grow the

relationship among his/her students because they communicate something of who

they are.)

4.4 Commitment (we should not be afraid to show our faith to our classrooms

because this is our mission on earth as teachers.)

In Assessment the authors provided as several ways to asses. They are:-

5.1Encouragement (As teachers, we are to encourage our students to view

themselves in positive view to build up their self-esteem.)

Reflection: After reading the explicit explanations of the things I used to know a bit

shallow, I felt calm and at the same time overwhelmed because teaching is not just

a job. Every words we say, every decision we made, every actions we showed are
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testimonies to our students. This is our spiritual battlefield. However, I am thankful

that God trusts me enough to fight this battle even when I never think of myself to

be this strong. And I believe my God who lead me this far will lead me till the end

faithfully.