Almost every day, I find myself reciting 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Knowing that I do not walk in my own strength fills me with joyful song that I sometimes struggle to keep to myself. For every time I have to silence the humming child, I smile and think of the number of songs that creep into my own teaching and life at the mention of a memorable lyric. Often I find myself starting to share a song with students when I realize it will not completely apply to the given situation, so I change the lyrics to fit my circumstances and move forward. Sometimes students recognize the song, and occasionally point out the new lyrics. Often, they act as if they have never heard the song before, shrug at how well it fit the setting, and we all move on with the lesson. I sing at transitions for my own pleasure, and it makes the timing in my room move more smoothly. Praise God for His grace and many reasons to sing!
The students in fourth grade recently experienced the power of magnification. I added a microscope to the collection of learning tools in my classroom and it quickly became the most coveted area in the room. Regardless of what the slide contained, the students adored looking at minute items with the power of a light and well-adjusted glass lenses. Magnifying glasses fill us with just as much joy. When given the chance, we are just as likely to examine our finger prints and friends’ teeth as the item at hand. During a recent science lesson on cells, we first looked at an onion with our eyes, then magnifying glasses, and ended with microscope slides of an onion skin. What a difference! Praise God for the incredible detail in His creation and our excitement about learning!
Fourth graders love discussions and asking questions in their learning process. As a school, we are studying a curriculum about peacemaking. In my classroom, we discussed peacemaking on a global level. We contemplated terrorists and the anniversary of 9/11. Since we are told in Matthew 5:44 to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, we debated the concept of enemies as people created by God and the concept of peacemaking when you deal with people who want to cause harm and destruction. It led us to consider the actions of global leaders who are fighting against terror. We continue to pray for our government leaders and their choices while lifting up the believers in the Middle East.
We also pray for persecuted believers around the world. While I often break out in song because my heart is filled with the joy of the Lord, there are situations in our world today which break His heart. As we give thanks this season for the good gifts He has given, we also consider those in situations less fortunate.
Faith Watts is a fourth grade teacher at Newark Christian School.