Overview
of the 7WordWondersTM
By Vicki and Paul de
Vries
Literacy3 program is useful for
homes, churches and ministries
ü To engage
the Bible via mastering the 7WordWondersTM of literacy.
ü To teach
language arts and the love of literacy, fully employing the best book, the
Bible.
ü To
empower for living, through the wisdom of the Word and of word-power
…and it
is OK to use just one WordWonder in a 15-25 minute period
For
downloadable samples and additional articles: www.7wordwonders.com
CONTENTS
Introduction
The 7WordWondersTM —One at a Time
Multiple Models
for 7WordWondersTM
Programs
Public Schools’ Common Core Issues
Conclusion
Review
INTRODUCTION
The Literacy3 program was created to develop and
strengthen the three (3) interactive literacies: general literacy
(“word-power”), life literacy (“wisdom”), and Biblical literacy (“Godly
knowledge”). The overall goals of Literacy3 are:
ü To teach
general literacy and the love of excellence in all four “language
arts”—reading, listening, writing, speaking—and in all seven facets of
WordWonder, by fully employing the very best book, the Bible.
ü To empower
people for living, through the Godly wisdom of the written Word.
ü To engage the
Bible via skilled use of each one of the WordWonders of
literacy.
The Literacy3 program special alloy of 100% Social Gospel
ministry, teaching language arts to all, 100% Life-coaching Discipleship ministry, giving everyone Divine wisdom for
live, and 100% Saving Gospel
ministry, teaching the Bible and God’s message.
It is also designed to enhance the joy and wonder of words and
word-power—in reading, listening, writing and speaking.
Integral to
the Literacy3 program are
the 7WordWondersTM, each representing a specific aspect of classic language
involvement and mastery: (1) Reading-Wonder; (2) Comprehension-Wonder; (3)
Vocabulary-Wonder; (4) Pattern-Wonder; (5) Development-Wonder; (6)
Creative-Wonder; and (7) Reread-&-Do-Wonder. The repeated concept of “wonder” reminds both teachers and students of the wonderful
God-given power of human curiosity,
awe and amazement that is so essential in any learning process. The hunger to learn and grow is part of our
wonderful condition as God’s children, the Lord’s images. That persistently curious “inner child”
remains a significant aspect of even the most mature adult life. Perhaps this truth is part of what Jesus
meant when he said we must be as children to see the Kingdom of God.
In a more
elevated sense, Jesus made repeated, powerful use of “signs and wonders” to
draw people to himself and to the eternal truths. As the eternal Word, he empowers words and
enables communication. He is what holds
all reality and meaning together. The
divine gift of language, given at human creation, is so awesome to communicate
hope, build community, guide the leaderless, inform the ignorant, convict the
guilty, motivate the slothful, restore the broken, and bring the healing Gospel
to all. The Word is powerful, and
well-used words share in his wonderful power.
Devoid of
vibrant curiosity and wonder, education would become burdensome and boring—we
all know too well. In contrast, what
could be more full of deep, enduring wonder than to:
1. Read a text from the Holy Bible,
God’s written Word, in accessible language
2. Comprehend that precious text
3. Learn, use and engage some key words
from that text
4. Explore and discover a powerful
pattern, perhaps partly “hidden” in that text
5. Map the central development from the
beginning to the end of that brief text
6. Engage the Bible text teaching with
more fun, creative, memorable, relevant activities
7. Reread-&-Do, re-explore,
re-discover, re-consider, and re-encounter the text— after having engaged the
text in two or more of the other language wonders.
Each of
these 7WordWondersTM contributes to the overall
attraction, significance and benefit of the reading experience, just as the
facets of a sparkling diamond add to the beauty and glitter of the gem. At the same time, each WordWonder also
highlights the truths of the Bible well, and engages readers at various reading
levels in a lively interaction with the precious Word of God. The 7WW approach
uses the best of contemporary Biblical hermeneutics—the art and skill of
accurate interpretation—now made accessible to children, youth and adults.
Each
7WW lesson provides a veritable
cafeteria of ideas and resources from which the teacher wisely
selects. Keeping students’ curiosity
alive, the joy of exploration vibrant, and the fun of discovery energized—this
is truly what each of the WordWonders is about.
ü Engaged in the
very best text, the Bible, in the most readable translation for the reading
ability of the students, starting with the NIRV translation.
ü Energized to
try out the expanded Biblical wisdom into age-appropriate, maturing behavior,
for the benefit of the learner and the potential blessings to others.
ü Eagerly expanding
“word-power” in all the language arts of reading, writing, listening and
speaking.
The
WordWonders are described here in somewhat logical
order, but creative teachers and mentors can guide learners to focus on
WordWonders in almost any order. Mixing
up the pedagogical order can aid the
learning process and keep the interest high.
Literacy is fun, and the Literacy3 teachers—the parents, neighbors,
mentors, pastors, teachers—have the special joy of helping convey that enduring
fun and wonder in their own attitudes and lesson planning.
For example,
a teacher can introduce the ten key words of the Vocabulary-Wonder first and
get the students started in using those words—even before the text is read in
the Reading-Wonder.
ü In a brief exercise, the
students—individually or in groups—could see how many of the ten key words they
could incorporate in their own creative story or speech.
ü Using word-cards, students could even
compete to see how many of the ten words they could use in a coherent
sentence.
ü When the Bible-text sheet is handed
out, students could then see how quickly they could find and circle each of the
ten key words.
These and
other activities help strengthen vocabulary and heighten anticipation even of
the initial reading experience. Be
creative and full of deep Word-filled joy.
And continue to feed the fun of Literacy3—in all of the three (3) precious, interactive literacies.
The 7WordWondersTM – One at a Time
1. READING-Wonder: This most basic of the WordWonders
simply calls for students to read a text or a portion of the Bible or have it
read to them. Participants are assumed to
have knowledge of the alphabet, vowels, consonants, and simple words, although
the teacher should not assume that everyone in her/his group is on exactly the
same level of knowledge and skill. The
Reading-Wonder step sets the stage for the other WordWonders and introduces the
participants to the portion of the biblical text for that particular
lesson. Instructors cannot avoid this
precious WordWonder!
2. COMPREHENSION-Wonder: Fundamental to literacy is the ability
to understand what one has read. This WordWonder allows participants to answer
straightforward questions of fact related to the biblical portion that was
read. The questions generally begin with
such words as "where," "when," "what,"
"who," and “why”; occasionally, the questions go below the surface
such as the question in Lesson 1 on Jesus' First Miracle: "Did this
miracle make a difference to the followers of Jesus? What change happened to
them?"
Teachers are
encouraged to write additional questions or modify the ones provided with the
lessons, gearing questions to the age and maturity levels of the participants.
Even if
other WordWonders are explored first, the Comprehension-Wonder is usually a
"non-negotiable" aspect of the total literacy experience afforded by
the 7WordWonders TM.
3. VOCABULARY-Wonder:
Every Vocabulary-Wonder section in each Literacy3 lesson includes ten
(10) key words selected from the Bible portion.
Developing a repertoire of words is an especially valuable aspect of
literacy. The processes of seeing,
hearing, and learning words begin a lifelong journey of expanding one's
intellectual and emotional horizons.
Learning new words and appreciating the differences and similarities
between words and their meaning are among the many benefits of the
Vocabulary-Wonder. Coupled with learning
Biblical truths, the Vocabulary-Wonder adds significantly to the foundation
laid by the Comprehension-Wonder.
By way of
illustration, the ten key words in the Vocabulary-Wonder in Lesson 5, "Jesus
Feeds Fived Thousand Plus" are: don't, eat, fish, grass, loaf and loaves,
month, pay, prophet, test, and waste. The teacher is free to engage students in a
variety of activities that would help them learn the selected words. For example, the teacher could prepare
"flash cards" with the words and their meaning as well as ask
students to keep a vocabulary list on index cards or in a notebook. Students could also "act out" the
words and put them into sentences and so forth.
A creative use of the old “Charades”
game would add to the genuine fun of
exploring the key words, with the ten key words of that lesson displayed in
large letters on the board or on colorful cards posted on the board, and one at
a time the students “act out” some aspect of one of the words—or even a
combination of two of the key words.
Teachers are encouraged to be as creative as possible when it comes to
helping their students learn and enjoy vocabulary.
4. PATTERN-Wonder: The world is
full of patterns, repeating motifs that can be seen in nature, but in the world
of the written word, patterns tend to be in the form of actions, words, and
thoughts. Conveying this essential
Pattern-Wonder is simplified if the teacher recognizes that each Bible text
contains concepts that reflect some type of ongoing pattern—and that all the
linguistic patterns used in a text help convey the meaning of the text. Even
when a pattern is not recognized, it has its emotional, conceptual and
spiritual effects. The Pattern-Wonder is
the subtle—and sometimes not so subtle—tool of the divine and human authors of
the Bible to assist in excellent communication and life-transforming
comprehension. The endurance of the
Bible as the greatest and best book is due in part to the profound guidance of
the Holy Spirit in the hands of human writers to not only reveal truth, but to
do so in wonderful word patterns that assist in conveying that truth. When it comes to the Pattern-Wonder, the pattern medium is part of the message. It contributes to the message. The teacher might see other patterns in
addition to the pattern explored in any particular lesson, and is welcome to
explore those too. After all, Literacy3 is fun for teachers and students—and all
can become pattern detectives!
By way of
illustration, the Pattern-Wonder on John 20, 7WW Lesson 19, "Jesus and
Thomas," focuses on "Things That Help Belief." Four patterns of God's responses to doubters
like Thomas are presented, along with ten questions to help students grapple
with those four patterns. For example,
the problem of doubt is introduced in question 1 by saying, "Doubt changes
relationships." Reference is made
to the ten apostles who had seen Jesus alive after his death, but Thomas doubts
their report. As a result, “he feels
alone," just as one would suspect.
The question is then asked, "How many times does Thomas say “I” in
verse 25?" Additional questions help the students put themselves in
Thomas's shoes. Beautifully built into
this story in John 20 are four patterns of God’s responses to doubters like
Thomas, patterns repeated elsewhere:
ü God respects honest doubts and comes to the doubter (v. 24-26)
ü God provides the evidence of miracle and invites inspection (vs. 27-28)
ü God even performs a new miracle (vs. 26, Jesus going through the locked, closed
door)
ü For all of us readers (and hearers)
he preserves the story (vs.
29-31).
This last
point even helps explain why we can now read the story many years later.
The pattern
of doubt and belief is one that Christians need to recognize and discuss. Depending on the maturity level of the
students, the astute teacher will be able to guide the students to realize that
honest doubt in itself is not something to avoid. Jesus is big enough to hear our doubts and
also loves us and works with us to overcome our doubts. Moreover, he is able to meet us where we are
and reveal himself to us in ways that can settle our
doubts. The wonderful patterns or
“structures” of that Bible text continue to help convey these truths now
thousands of years later.
Here is a
summary of key Pattern-Wonders in the first ten lessons, demonstrating how the
Bible authors helped deliver truth through powerful patterns that helped embody
that truth.
|
Lesson |
Pattern-Wonder |
A relationship to the Bible truth in
the text |
|
1 – John 2, Jesus’ First Miracle |
The repeated use of commands,
sentences that make things happen, and other sentences that work like
commands |
This text includes four commands and
other implied commands, all of which help convey Jesus’ authority. Even when Mary says to the servants, “Do
what he tells you,” it is about Jesus’ divine authority—the ultimate “Command
Central.” |
|
2 – Luke 5, Filling the Nets |
The repeated use of especially vivid,
descriptive language |
The vivid words and phrases feed our
wholesome imagination and draw us into the experience—almost as if we were
there ourselves. Such vivid language
invites us, therefore, to consider making a decision as Peter, James and John
did in those engaging circumstances. |
|
3 – Mark 4, Calming the Storm |
The power of questions to express
attitudes and feelings, and to shape and empower the story |
The two most awesome moments in this
brief story are captured in the disciples’ two questions—reported in verses 38
and 41. Their dramatic questions
powerfully capture their attitudes and feelings better than regular
descriptive statements could have.
Jesus’ own two questions in this story are revealing, too. |
|
4 – Luke 8, Healing Jairus’ Daughter
and a Sick Woman |
The use of a subplot in a story—and in
our lives—is the pattern lesson |
The events of our lives are all
interrelated, more than we usually recognize.
Two miracle encounters are interwoven in Jesus’ ministry, and Dr.
Luke’s use of the subplot here in the retelling of these miracles reminds us
of the seamless fabric of Jesus’ leadership in our lives. |
|
|
|
|
|
5 – John 6, Jesus Feeds 5,000 Plus |
The quoting from conversations between
Jesus and the disciples—and between Jesus and the Father |
The powerful use of quoted
conversations reminds us of the communal—conversational—aspect of both our
relationship with Jesus and God, and also how significant conversation adds
to the eating experience. |
|
6 – Luke 7, Healing the Commander’s
Servant |
An unexpected, dramatic turn of events
that magnifies a point |
Surprises help awaken our minds to
learn an important lesson. Here the
unexpected request for Jesus to heal at a distance demonstrates the deep
faith of the Commander. It also heightens
the occasion for Jesus to demonstrate his awesome authority to heal—even at a
distance—on which authority we can still call. |
|
7 – Mark 2, Jesus Heals a Paralyzed
Man |
In the two challenges reported in this
story, there is a repetition of one strategic pattern:
“Position—Opposition—Reposition.” In
other words: “Move—Remove-Block—Move Again” |
What helps make this awesome miracle
so memorable are the ingenuities and determination both of (1) the sick man
and his four friends and of (2) Jesus himself. The best stories of our lives are not just
about what happens to us, but what we help make happen with full devotion of
our minds and hearts—especially when other people are benefited, too. |
|
8 – Luke 7, Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son |
Unique stories of miracles: Each miracle story in the Gospel is in the
context of other miracle stories—no two of which are the same. |
Part of every story—both in the Bible
and in our lives—is its context with other stories. When every case is unique, we are reminded
that God does not use cookie-cutters or copy machines. Today’s testimony is different from yesterday’s. My
experience with God is different from yours.
When we tell one another our experiences and testimonies, we and the
others are strengthened and encouraged—knowing that the Lord in his sovereign
wisdom meets every individual need. |
|
9 – Mark 7, Healing a Deaf and Mute
Man |
The story starts out with people
having a plan for Jesus’ ministry—similar to what he had done elsewhere. The text then describes Jesus’ several
healing steps here in great detail, with Jesus dramatically avoiding their
explicit plan, and with awesome results.
|
This story goes into great detail to
show Jesus ministering in a way that demonstrates Jesus’ complete independence
from the people’s—and our—prescribed expectations. Written this way, the story opens our
mental, emotional, and spiritual pores to let Jesus minister as he chooses. |
|
|
|
|
|
10 – Luke 17, Jesus Heals Ten |
Step-by-step-by-step in this gripping
story, our attention is drawn from a very big city to the life, healing, and
gratitude of one solitary person. It
moves from a huge picture to a delightful, narrow focus. |
Perhaps this dramatic shifting of the
focus is not the main point of this story.
However, this increasing magnification of attention in the story
magnifies also the point: every person matters to Jesus, including each
person’s need, salvation, healing—and enthusiastically-expressed,
deeply-sincere gratitude. |
These and
other patterns matter in word-mastery.
ü They are part of the text.
ü They engage the mind, soul and
spirit—both consciously and unconsciously.
ü They contribute to the message, to
the powerful truth of each Bible text.
And the work of discovering and
exploring the Pattern-Wonders is fun—for you as a teacher, and for your students!
ü It feeds human curiosity.
ü It helps make Bible-engagement real
exploration.
ü It opens everyone’s pores to learn,
grow, learn, and grow some more.
5. DEVELOPMENT-Wonder: Who could disagree with the statement
"Life is full of change"? Indeed, few things stay the same. These "facts of life" come through
loud and clear when it comes to powerful stories. Helping students see how the people in a
story change or how an idea changes and grows in some way is another important
aspect of literacy.
When it
comes to Bible stories, characters are always changing, doing, growing—and
ideas are in the process of being revealed.
The stories in the Bible lead to goals or situations. In every text, something happens between the
first and last verses. Something or
someone develops.
By way of
illustration, the Development-Wonder in Lesson 13 "Jesus Riding into
Jerusalem" focuses on the changing mood related to Jesus' final return to
Jerusalem, where within days he will be tortured and die for our sins. The questions for this Development-Wonder
look at the verses in reverse order to help show the emotional intensity Jesus
is experiencing, recorded in the text.
At the end of the Bible portion, Jesus' mood is one of sadness and
impending gloom in contrast to the "festive, joyful beginning" at the
start of the Bible text when Jesus enters the Holy City on a donkey and crowds
cheer him along.
Students
come to realize that Jesus experienced changes in mood, but also that what he
experienced was part of his plan to ultimately die for us. Jesus reveals his humanity and at the same time his divinity in a powerful way. In any text, something changes from the first
to the last verse—and being conscious of that development enhances word-mastery
and literacy-fun!
6. CREATIVE-Wonder: While each
of the WordWonders can be creatively applied, the Creative-Wonder is the most
explicitly adaptable to hands-on, interpretive activities that foster tactile
skill-building and imaginative engagement with the Bible portion. Such activities as "role-playing,
creating a song, drawing, painting, sculpture, writing from a perspective,” and
such like, are limited only by the teacher's interest, resources and
imagination.
Indispensable
resources to spark profound creativity to higher levels can be found and
explored at www.ResourceWell.org, which includes many appropriate, creative activities
related to each of the same lessons in the Literacy3 program. The lesson numbers are the same, unless
otherwise noted on the second line of the 7WW lesson. Prayers, games, songs, role-playing, art,
drama and other creative expressions supplement the Literacy3 materials and
purposes.
Please
follow these steps to access these tremendous resources—as a gift to you and
your ministry from the wonderful Northland Church in Orlando, Florida, Dr. Joel
Hunter, pastor.
1. Go to www.ResourceWell.org
2. Scroll down to the very bottom and
click on “CHILDREN,” the 2nd from the left
3. In the middle of the page, click on
“The Worship, the Word, the Way”
4. In the middle of the page, click on
the “unit” that you want
5. In the middle of the page, click on
the general age-group you want, such as “4-5” or “8-9”
6. Click on the specific lesson. See lesson number at the top of the first
page, on 2nd line of the 7WW lesson
7. Scroll to the bottom and click on the
PDF documents you want to use—or at least want to explore. Resources here are useful for the
Creative-Wonder and other WordWonders, too
When
students complete their creative responses to the text, encourage them to talk
about, explain, or discuss their creative work with other students, thereby
deepening their personal understanding of and appreciation for the Bible
lessons—as well as further developing their artistic and imaginative literary sensibilities. Literacy3 fun can multiply!
7. REREAD-&-DO-Wonder:
Although the last of the 7WordWondersTM, like its counterpart,
Reading-Wonder, the Reread-&-Do-Wonder is an indispensable part of
enhancing literacy. Rereading and
applying a text gives readers the opportunity to see material in a new way, and
to experience more the power of language, especially after one or more of the
other WordWonders is thoroughly explored.
And the Bible is the book that is always worth rereading, anyway.
After
leading students through at least three other WordWonders, the teacher could
ask them to re-read the Bible portion out loud, either one verse per student or
as a group or in small groups. The very
act of rereading material that has been studied from the vantage point of the
previous WordWonders will empower students with these benefits:
1. To engage again the sounds and
significances of wonderful words in a great text
2. To notice and comment upon things
that did not stand out to them when experiencing the Reading-Wonder in the
first place
3. To reinforce the relevance of the
other WordWonders that were well explored
4. To see-hear-read-speak the whole
text, and also to experience its full
Biblical light to now shine with its revealing God’s trust-worthy wisdom on
each of the students’ “paths” (Psalm 119:105)
5. To open an informed discussion of the
full relevance of the text—and consider or more fully explore “What are we going to do about it?” in
our lives and relationships, individually and in groups, going forward
6. To recognize afresh a purpose of this
text in the Bible: “What difference does
it make?” is always a good question, and since the text is from God’s Word,
good readers can find answers
7. To experience anew the sheer joy of
reading, of verbal discovery, and of word-mastery
The teacher
could ask the students a number of questions referring to what they learned at
the end of the lesson that they did not notice or think about at the very
beginning. Alternatively, students could
be asked to summarize the entire story and share what they learned—and what
difference it might make to them. This
strengthens their own word-mastery in every way.
Note that
the Reread-&-Do-Wonder can be further enhanced through the “Way” section in the www.ResourceWell.org lessons, which can be used according to
teacher discretion.
Multiple
Models for 7WW Programs
ü After-School Programs = Plan 15-25
minutes on one of the 7WordWonders TM
each day, staying with the same Bible text for the week. Intersperse that planned learning fun with
students doing their homework, and also generously mixing in the wonderful,
related ResourceWell.org games, role-playing, puzzles, arts and crafts, songs,
prayers and such like.
ü Revitalized Sunday Schools = Choose from
the 7WordWonders TM
for all ages. For the children,
intersperse some of the related ResourceWell.org materials. Making language arts and Bible-knowledge the
dual purposes for Sunday School would renew one of the
original purposes of the Sunday School movement about 230 years ago, as an
empowering educational tool to uplift the victims of child labor.
ü Home Schools = Provide
user-friendly, creative materials for training youth and children in critical
thinking, language arts, divine values for life, and knowledge of the Best
Book. Teaching the 7WordWonders TM (1) brings serious fun to Bible
engagement, knowledge and comprehension, while also (2) empowering the youth
and children in the language arts—reading, writing, listening and speaking—and
(3) endowing them with precious Godly wisdom for their lives going forward.
ü Saturday Morning Literacy Programs = For adults,
youth, and children, take 15-20 minutes on each of at least four or five of the
7WordWondersTM With children, intersperse also some of the related
wonderful ResourceWell.org materials.
ü Christian Academies = Concentrate
15-20 minutes each on one or two of the 7WordWonders TM,
each day,
interspersed with related wonderful ResourceWell.org materials.
ü Neighborhood Bible Studies = Select from
the 7WordWonders TM
with adults, youth, or children. In any
session, you could select from three of the Wonders, devoting 15-20 minutes to
each of those Wonders.
ü Summer Vacation Bible Schools = Utilize about
15-20 minutes on each of five of the 7WordWondersTM, interspersed
with tons of the related Bible-lesson ResourceWell.org materials, including
games, songs, art, role-playing and such like.
Please
keep in mind that what people read
unrelated to school or work improves their reading skill and fun the most. Such
reading feeds the deepest dimensions of mind, spirit, soul, and heart. In addition, the 7WW help awaken readers’ awareness of the
vibrancy of words, in all seven different dimensions of language. What the 7WW
students learn from the powerful Biblical texts is then transferrable to other
reading, writing, listening and speaking opportunities.
Public
School COMMON CORE Issues
Many schools, including public schools all over New
York State, New Jersey, and in most of the states in the United States of
America, are shifting curricula to the multi-tiered “Common Core Standards,”
fully endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education. The basic concepts of the common core are the
foundation of what has been called “liberal arts” in good colleges. The “liberal” in “liberal arts” is about the
liberating benefit of good education and crucial “critical thinking”—and not
about political or religious liberalism.
While there are standards for every discipline of
the school curriculum, the standards for “English Language Arts” are of special
concern for everyone. After all,
word-mastery enables success in every school discipline. You will recognize that the 7WordWondersTM approach prepares
children well in each of the four crucial areas of word-mastery in the Common
Core:
|
Common
Core Standards for English
Language Arts In all the grades, all
over the United States |
Related
WordWonders In the order of the
general relevance of the WordWonder
to each standard |
|
Standard
1: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information
and understanding: As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts,
and ideas, discover relationships, concepts, and
generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and
electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral
and written language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information. |
READING-Wonder COMPREHENSION-Wonder VOCABULARY-Wonder |
|
Standard
2: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for literary
response and expression: Students will read and listen to oral, written and
electronically produced texts and performances, relate texts and performances
to their own lives, and develop an understanding of the diverse social,
historical, and cultural dimensions the texts and performances represent. As
speakers and writers, students will use oral and written language for
self-expression and artistic creation. |
CREATIVE-Wonder VOCABULARY-Wonder REREAD-&-DO-Wonder |
|
Standard
3: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical
analysis and evaluation: As listeners and readers, students will analyze experiences,
ideas, information, and issues presented by others using a variety of established
criteria. As speakers and writers, they will present, in oral and written
language and from a variety of perspectives, their opinions and judgments on
experiences, ideas, information and issues. |
PATTERN-Wonder DEVELOPMENT-Wonder COMPREHENSION-Wonder |
|
Standard
4: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for social
interaction: Students will use oral and written language for effective
social communication with a wide variety of people. As readers and listeners,
they will use the social communications of others to enrich their
understanding of people and their views. |
REREAD-&-DO-Wonder CREATIVE-Wonder DEVELOPMENT-Wonder |
Common
Core Standards from English Language Arts
Core Curriculum, NY State Education Department, 2005
While school standards will change, the use of the 7WordWondersTM in our learning from
the Bible—and in all reading, speaking, listening and writing—will always be
helpful and relevant for bringing people to a saving knowledge of God, to wise guidance
for life, and to excellent word-mastery for a more fulfilling and fruitful
personal, family, occupational, community and church life—every day of the
week.
CONCLUSION
All of the 7WordWondersTM
work in concert with each other, building a full repertoire of literacy skills
that cannot easily be enhanced alone.
Add a heavy dose of teacher enthusiasm, prayer, preparation, and
creative imagination, and students will come away with greater Bible knowledge
and the precious language-arts-mastery that can guide, encourage and strengthen
them throughout life. And they will be imbibing deeply in the very fun that our
Creator intended all of us to experience as we learn his Word and understand
his world.
Happy reading, writing, listening and speaking—and
praise God for the 7WordWondersTM! They
all add to Literacy3 fun.
REVIEW
The study of the reading, understanding and
application of Bible texts is called hermeneutics. Hermeneutics is (1) an art, (2) a science,
and (3) a spiritual discipline. The most
engaging and profound contemporary book on Biblical hermeneutics is The Hermeneutical Spiral by Grant
Osborne (IVP Academic Press, 2006).
Below are brief summaries of each of the 7WordWondersTM and the related
chapters in Osborne’s book.
1.
Reading-Wonder = being
able to read with understanding.
Coaching the reader is fine, and we do it positively, with praise and
encouragement. The ability to read is one of the most awesome gifts to give to
a child, a youth or an adult. Reading empowers. [see Osborne: Introduction]
2.
Comprehension-Wonder =
being able to comprehend and put thoughts in one’s own words. That is an important reading wonder for
anyone. Even seasoned readers will read
a text and then mostly forget what they read.
The skills of comprehension and recollection need to be both developed
and reinforced in each of our lives.
[see Osborne: Chapter 1]
3.
Vocabulary-Wonder = being familiar with the
Word and with words. That is
priceless! There is a reason why reading
tests focus especially on vocabulary. IDEA: try starting with this WordWonder—get
the students to talk about each Key Word, and then ask each student to tell a
story or create a sentence using as many of the 10 Key Words as possible. Also, each student can find and circle all the
Key Words in the hand-out sheet with the text—either before or after they read
it aloud. Let it be fun! [see Osborne: Chapter 3]
4.
Pattern-Wonder = being
attentive to the patterns in a text—overt or subtle. That helps the reader both (a) to master the
depths of meaning in the text and (b) to master more and more of the infinite
nuances of language that enhance his or her communications. The key patterns in a Biblical text may be
the skilled use of grammatical-structures—such as questions, commands, or vivid
adjectives—or subtly repeated thought-structures, ironies, unstated
implications, repeated metaphors, and so forth.
A focus on pattern-wonders raises word-skills for the student—while
giving one more awesome tool for deep engagement with a great text. [see Osborne: Chapters 2 and 4]
5.
Development-Wonder = being
aware of movement from the first to the last sentence in a text. That is an essential word-skill. Mastery of the development wonder makes a
person—adult, youth or child—a better talker, listener and thinker, as well as
a more engaged and skilled reader. The
text is going somewhere, and it matters that the skilled readers notice. [see Osborne: Chapters 5-14]
6.
Creative-Wonder = being
creatively engaged. That acknowledges
that language is part of life—never detached.
All kinds of creative response—such as short story writing, sculpture,
spontaneous role-playing, painting, scripted drama, creative retelling in a
contemporary setting, related games, relevant prayers, and such like—are part
of the deeper truth that the Word always desires incarnation into matter and
energy. [see Osborne: Chapters 15-16]
7.
Reread-and-Do-Wonder =
being engaged in rereading a great text—especially the best text, the Bible. What a truly precious WordWonder! When rereading, please note both (a) what now
seems new in the text, and also (b) how the light
from the Word in this text should help guide people’s lives and decisions
now. Especially right after one of the
other 7WordWondersTM has been fully
explored, rereading is a new experience.
And then if a day or more go by, rereading the same text is remarkably
revealing. The Bible is special. “It is the book you always want to reread,”
as a teacher explained to her 2nd grade students. They understood. [see Osborne: Chapters 17-18 and Appendices]
Take time!!
It is OK to explore only one of the 7WordWondersTM in a
15-to-25-minute period.
…and Have Fun!!
Keep curiosity alive as you engage the 7WordWondersTM of the
Bible.
Copyright © 2015
by Paul de Vries
DrPaul@7WordWonders.com – Phone: 347-6-READER
Church Station,
Box 3277, NYC, NY 10008 – Phone: 646-395-0008
Edited May 1,
2015