Betty Yoder

How do teachers maintain human contact with their students during the shutdown? How can relationships grow during enforced separation? What Read More...

A few years ago, a friend suggested the title The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo as a Read More...

In the last several weeks I have heard myself repeatedly telling my students about my growing conviction that recess is Read More...

Recently as I recounted several math ideas I find beneficial in the classroom, I thought perhaps sharing them could inspire Read More...

For a number of years, I used the Character Sketch books as a basis for our devotional time at school.  Read More...

Usually I think of the words, “Me first!” in connection with students jumping in line ahead of others, eager to Read More...

The first year I taught school, I moved from Kansas to Spanish Lookout, Belize. I taught thirteen students in grades Read More...

Recently, I became aware of how deeply I fear not having enough time to do all that needs to be Read More...

Pilgrim Christian School distributes this checklist before school starts. Download this document now or read it below. Pass it on:

The last post gave big-picture ideas of themes and approaches for your class devotions. This post shares specific, daily plans Read More...

The school desks are stacked, the bells silent, the hallways empty, and the schoolhouse doors locked. It is a great Read More...

Have you noticed how easy it is to focus on the negative things in both people and circumstances?  It comes Read More...

Students make great teachers. Watching students often enables me to make connections between real life and specific Scriptures I am Read More...

Two weeks before the end of school I did something I no intention of doing. In fact, it was a Read More...

The history surrounding the hymn “Faith of our Fathers” by Frederick William Faber. Includes biographical information about the author, literary Read More...

The history surrounding the hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by Charles Wesley. Includes biographical information about the author, literary Read More...

The history surrounding the hymn “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee” by Bernard of Clairvaux. Includes biographical information about the Read More...

The history surrounding the hymn “Now Thank We All Our God,” by Martin Rinkart. Includes biographical information about the author, Read More...

The history surrounding the hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” by Isaac Watts. Includes some biographical information about Read More...

A study on creation for students in grades 1-4. Topics covered are God creating the world out of nothing, the Read More...

  I consider structure and thoughtful planning to be important parts of a positive school day, but, as I discovered Read More...

Sometimes less is more. Usually on Saturdays I dance to the background tune of “see how much you can get Read More...

I grew up believing that fairy tales were nonsensical time wasters.  For decades, I never questioned that belief.  Then, in Read More...

I had never seriously pondered the mandate in Ephesians to not be drunk with wine.  Wine doesn’t even tempt me.  Read More...

Recently in Sunday School, we studied the story of Elisha who was gifted with supernatural eyesight.  He had eyes to Read More...

After two consecutive days of apologizing to several students for my sharp words, I began pondering the meaning of repentance.   Read More...

In church this morning, our deacon preached on the fallacy of basing our identity on things that can be taken Read More...

Since I love to hear others recommend books or other resources that have helped them grow as a learner and Read More...

A bit over a year ago, I was introduced to a new spelling curriculum:  Words Their Way.  I like it! Read More...

Who of us hasn’t dealt with the “it’s not fair” syndrome?  I mean personally, not just hearing from students. I Read More...

Because I love books, I have a special fund designated for books to expand the library at school as well Read More...

I wonder if others have noticed with me that grumbling about circumstances often only makes the situation worse.  Plus, the Read More...

I love when ideas simply present themselves, almost without my conscious thought. In fact, I have noticed that when I Read More...

Years ago, a wise teacher offered me invaluable advice.  When I bemoaned my failures in the classroom, my impatience, and Read More...

The outside classroom door stood propped open to invite the fresh morning air.  Just beyond the open door, our school Read More...

A number of years ago, while sitting in a class taught by Mr. Brubaker, I listened to his story of Read More...

I offer you a strange story without a clear ending.  My perspective goes like this: Just as I pulled away Read More...

Betty Yoder’s reading guide for Helen Keller by Margaret Davidson includes goals, objectives, instructions, and project ideas for use with Read More...

Betty’s guide to Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims by Clyde Robert Bulla gives helpful background information for the teacher, and Read More...

I love being out of school!  A more flexible schedule ranks high on my list of joys.  What delight to Read More...

Several weeks before the end of school I entered a fierce battle, and I was losing.  Nights found me lying Read More...

I tried something new this winter.  Since I love plants and gardening, it seemed like a good idea to try Read More...

Likely every teacher eagerly anticipates Christmas vacation and other breaks, just as their students do.  A favorite memory of this Read More...

Recently I read this quote by John Dewey:  “We do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience.”  Here Read More...

I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions.  But I typically ponder the highlights of the past year and consider new goals.  Read More...

By my standards, we never get enough snow in Kansas.  While the news is heralding grand snowstorms in the east Read More...

In a 25-page handout developed for new teacher orientation, Betty Yoder discusses essentials, including discipline plans, schedules, and planning recesses Read More...

For students studying the story of Onesimus, the book of Philemon provides historical context. This document guides students to find Read More...

This page helps students record compelling and memorable quotes from reading class. Download this document now or read it below. Read More...

A sample of a one-page book report on Twice Freed by Patricia St. John. Download this document now or read Read More...

A supplement to chapter one of Twice Freed, describing clothing styles in the ancient and medieval world. Download this document Read More...

A simple “Who is Guilty?” activity chart for chapter three of Twice Freed by Patricia St. John. Download this document Read More...

Background information on the story of Baucis and Philemon and the value placed on hospitality, from Greco-Roman mythology. Download this Read More...

14 questions ask the reader to draw inferences from chapter five of Twice Freed by Patricia St. John. Download this Read More...

A one-page fill-in-the-blank activity focusing on the characterizing aspects of Ephesus in the Roman Empire. Download this document now or Read More...

A chart to help students compare and contrast the temple of Diana of the Ephesians with Paul’s teaching sessions in Read More...

Ten questions check students’ understanding of the characters and events in chapter seven of Twice Freed. The questions are framed Read More...

Discussion points for chapter nine of Twice Freed help students share their observations from the story, and make predictions and Read More...

A chart to help students compare the lifestyle of the city of Laodicea with the description of the Laodicean church Read More...

A chart listing the positive and negative attributes of the seven churches addressed in Revelation. Download this document now or Read More...

True-or-false questions check students’ understanding of chapter fourteen of Twice Freed. Download this document now or read it below. Pass Read More...

True-or-false questions check students’ understanding of chapter sixteen of Twice Freed. Download this document now or read it below. Pass Read More...

This acrostic chart helps students describe Onesimus’ time in Rome Download this document now or read it below. Pass it Read More...

This activity-rich document helps teachers train their students in reading skills and historical appreciation through reading Twice Freed by Patricia Read More...

“The Hound of Heaven,” a poem by Francis Thompson, addresses a theme also found in Twice Freed. In this document, Read More...

Another detailed study guide for use in Christian schools. The contributor states, “Where the Red Fern Grows is a classic Read More...

This 46-page guide to reading The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Spear guides teachers in asking discussion questions, Read More...

Thirteen lessons, intended for grades 3 and 4, guide teachers in reading Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner. Download this Read More...

A 3-week study plan for reading Kitten in the Well by Marla Martin with 1st graders, this resource also includes Read More...

An eight-lesson teacher’s guide that covers The Courage of Sarah Noble. Betty says, “I used [the study guide] for years Read More...

Instructions for student-created illustration based on chapter 1 of Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Download this document now or Read More...

This worksheet guides students in drawing four pictures to illustrate chapter 22 of Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Download Read More...

30 lesson plans, intended for grades 3 and 4, provide a robust range of activities for studying Farmer Boy by Read More...

A teacher’s guide for The Little Riders by Margaretha Shemin, this document offers a range of tools for class study Read More...

16 lesson plans, intended for grades 3 and 4, guide a class study of Pilgrim Boy by Matilda Nordtvedt. Download Read More...

The lyrics of “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less–On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand” used for studying Saved Read More...

This table of contents summarizes skills to be taught in eleven lessons of studying Saved at Sea by O F Read More...

An eleven-lesson Teachers’ Guide, intended for use with grades 3 and 4, for Saved at Sea by O F Walton, Read More...

Gap-fill exercises with five similes from The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh, along with an extension drawing activity. Read More...

History/Social Studies The MacTutor History of Mathematics archive: biographical and historical resources; section on famous curves Recordings from the Library Read More...

Our students are God’s children, each and every one. He chooses to mold and shape them through other people, especially Read More...

Grace.  What does grace look like in the classroom?   The One who is full of grace and truth calls us Read More...