Snowflakes and Smarts: Teaching the Way Your Students Learn (Part 2)

Written by Richard Barnes

Part Two in a Five-Part Series

Contrary to what we sometimes perceive, teenagers do want to learn! But they like to be taught in ways they prefer to learn. Of the eight teaching-learning approaches, relational and musical approaches may be the two most youth prefer. Read the following decriptions and teaching tips and determine for yourself.

Relational Learners
Relational learners prefer approaches that engage them in interacting with others, working in groups, and participating in demonstrations or discussions. Another term for this approach could be interpersonal or "people smart." Youth who prefer relational methods usually:

• Are highly social--"people persons"
• Make friends easily
• Are good talkers
• Are keen observers of others
• Recognize how people feel

Teaching methods that work best for relational learners include:

• Calling upon youth to "see things through the eyes of others"
• Activities that allow them to cooperate and interact with others
• Leading youth to affirm others or mediate a disagreement

A person in the Bible who could be characterized as a relational teacher-learner is Barnabas, who encouraged both Saul of Tarsus (Paul) and John Mark.

Musical Learners
Musical learners like to sing, listen to music, play musical instruments, or do something with rhythm. Another term is "music smart." Youth who prefer musical methods usually:

• Seem more sensitve to rhythm and pitch
• Are good listeners
• Respond to music with singing and/or movement
• Are aided in learning by background music
• Have music "playing" in their minds most of the time
• Learn new songs quickly and remember them easily

Teaching methods that work best with musical learners include:

• Composing new lyrics to an old tune
• Listening and analyzing the lyrics of a Christian or secular song
• Playing a musical instrument or recording that expresses their faith

A person in the Bible who could be characterized as a musical teacher-learner is David, who penned many of the psalms.

Do you have relational or musical learners in your Bible study group? What are their names? What methods could you create in your next Bible study session that will engage these students in either learning or teaching biblical truth?

Discover more additional learning styles by reading through the rest of this helpful 5-part series.