Jonas Sauder

A series of brief talks from CASBI 2022. Mark Webb – “Keeping Minutes” Lyndon Hartman – “High School? How Far?” Read More...

The call of the school: Connecting the heart of the subject, the student, and the teacher. How can teachers as Read More...

Resources for Schooling at Home A ship lost at sea for many days suddenly sighted a friendly vessel. From the Read More...

I suppose I’ve heard the term unprecedented used more often in the last six weeks than I have in the Read More...

We know that our spiritual heritage and teachings and life come first. (Seek ye first…) My purpose in writing is Read More...

These questions, comments and suggested activities can stimulate deep engagement with the story of Amos Fortune’s life in a way Read More...

Jonas lists notable people and instructive lives. Download this worksheet now or read it below. Pass it on:

Jonas describes the value of writing biography and offers scheduling and grading help for such projects. Download this worksheet now Read More...

Jonas describes types of fiction and non-fiction and provides examples. Download this worksheet now or read it below. Pass it Read More...

This list suggests positive books for each grade level. Download this worksheet now or read it below. Pass it on:

How and why should students learn to speak? Jonas outlines this essential skill. Download this worksheet now or read it Read More...

Jonas offers a variety of writing assignments, some requiring more preparation than others. Download this worksheet now or read it Read More...

Jonas urges writing assignments related to a variety of subjects–not merely in writing class. Download this worksheet now or read Read More...

Why play? Is all play the same? Is play something different from learning? Download this worksheet now or read it Read More...

Grading a math worksheet is one thing. What about creative writing? Art? Download this worksheet now or read it below. Read More...

Jonas outlines a new model for schooling which would enable schools to sustainably provide home-based instruction. Download this worksheet now Read More...

In this essay, Jonas reflects on what we can learn from the coronavirus shutdown. How should schools plan for the Read More...

For high school student teaching, Jonas offers a set of questions on Handbook for Creative Teaching by David L Martin Read More...

Jonas offers the lesson plan template below as a guide for high school students participating in a teacher apprenticing program. Read More...

Jonas developed this template for the use of student teachers who are observing classes as part of their training. Download Read More...

In a heartfelt discussion, panelists explore current issues in Anabaptist schools: How does technology affect our children, and what we Read More...

This session is part of the series on the role of the principal or administrator. A team needs a captain, Read More...

Speakers offer a brief presentation of topics relevant to conservative Anabaptist schools: Individualized/Conventional Hybrid School: What are the pros and Read More...

The document below delineates distinctive responsibilities of boards and principals/administrators (some schools use one title; some the other) and then Read More...

Because of current parenting trends, fresh attention is needed to encourage parents to ensure their children are getting the solid Read More...

This document contains guidelines for developing a Christian school library and a reviewer’s checklist. Use it, modifying as needed, to Read More...

What is the purpose for devotions? Are they another chance to practice your program songs, or a meaningful opportunity for Read More...

What are practical ways to interact with manipulative parents? What is the core problem with manipulative parents? What’s underneath the Read More...

As a member of the school board, you are responsible for overseeing many aspects of the school: finding staff, facilitating Read More...

How important is literature in your school’s curriculum? How can you lead your students to godliness through poems, stories, and Read More...

On a school administrators’ email group, Darrell Hershberger posed this question: What makes literature worthwhile? We’re working on coming to Read More...

What are the essentials in teaching children to read and write well? In this collection, Jonas offers considerations on literature, Read More...

What is the value of teaching classic literature to children? Jonas explains that with literature, students connect to reality in Read More...

“American history teachers should be sure to trace the variety of religious issues that infuse the story.” Jonas offers this Read More...

This is a set of questions based on Rod & Staff’s Handbook for Creative Teaching intended to help the aspiring Read More...

Why do we teach? What is the center of center of teaching? How do we bring teaching to life? Pass Read More...

How should parents prepare their children for school (and life in general)? How does a school assess whether a child Read More...

From mental math to local trivia, this document contains 52 activities for teams to complete. The tasks were collected for Read More...

At CASBI 2018, John Risser shared this sample questionnaire for use with prospective teachers. Feel free to adapt the content Read More...

This list of expectations was compiled as a joint staff activity by a faculty of ten by invitation of their Read More...

This post describes ten aspects of the school program that principals must constantly be aware of and monitor for the Read More...

Are you aware of your influence? Methods, materials, and facilities: while these are important, Jonas underlines the influence of the Read More...

Jonas reflects on the profound influence teachers have in the lives of children. Pass it on:

Studying quality literature influences how you live life from that day forward. You may gain knowledge, inspiration, warning, or motivation. Read More...

Oral communication is the ability to put knowledge into words. This talk looks at opportunities to cultivate this important life Read More...

First-grade teachers expect that six-year-olds come to school with a solid foundation ready for formal reading instruction. Without that foundation, Read More...

Enjoy a family-oriented evening as two presenters alternate with stories that illustrate wisdom from various school disciplines–nature, history, human interst, Read More...

Enjoy a family-oriented evening as two presenters alternate with stories that illustrate wisdom from various school disciplines–nature, history, human interest, Read More...

No amount of skill or training can supplant the need for cultivating the inner qualities of the teacher’s heart. All Read More...

What will your teaching look like if it’s successful? What will it take to get there? Imagination, says Jonas, is Read More...

This document provides study questions for “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Page numbers are A Beka’s “Beginnings of American Read More...

Download video Reflecting on his forty years of teaching and administration in Lancaster County Anabaptist schools, Jonas wonders why there Read More...

Jonas explains why school board members, administrators, and ministers need events at which to connect with others who share these Read More...

Jonas teaches on the importance of the will in human development and gives reasons and methods for properly training a Read More...

Jonas demonstrates his approach to using literature in the classroom, and includes selections from Amos Fortune, Freeman, The Bronze Bow, and Around Read More...

Jonas addresses the difficulty we face in finding teachers, and a forward looking effort towards a solution. Courtesy CASBI. Pass it on:

This one-page evaluation form was designed for soliciting board members’ assessments of the principal or administrator. It can easily be Read More...

Jonas begins with meditations on the power of words to bring life and make commitments. Words are not merely arbitrary Read More...

Jonas examines the affections and attitudes of the heart that enable service. Service starts, says Jonas, with caring. How do Read More...

Jonas reminds us that we are called to serve out of love for our Master. He draws our minds to Read More...

We all process ideas differently, Jonas points out, and these differences do not necessarily indicate learning disabilities. To learn, we Read More...

The teacher is the most essential part of a Christian school classroom. Jonas discusses how a board and community can Read More...

Jonas showcases stories and other methods of influencing the worldview of our people. Courtesy Christian Light Education (CLE). Pass it Read More...

Simply reading a passage does not mean that we understand its terms and their implications. Jonas offers activities to increase Read More...

What should a child know or be able to do before going to school? Jonas discusses readiness skills. Courtesy Christian Read More...

When a child doesn’t perform according to our expectations, what are some of the root causes? Is the issue we Read More...

This presentation considers ways to cultivate children’s reading comprehension skills through a variety of oral and written activities that can Read More...

No amount of skill or training can replace the need for essential inner qualities of a teacher’s heart. Teachers must Read More...

When does apparent stability introduce change? When does apparent change offer stability? Courtesy CASBI. Pass it on:

We can easily be influences subconsciously by our culture, says Jonas, but the Lord calls us to take every thought Read More...

Geometry, and spatial thinking, offers practical solutions for daily life, says Jonas. Courtesy Christian Light Education (CLE). Pass it on:

Our thought patterns affect our ability to process information. Our minds must be formatted in the ways of God. Courtesy Read More...

Every student brings an attitude along to school. How can teachers help students discipline their attitudes? Pass it on:

Students make choices every day. How can teachers train them to freely, cheerfully and willingly will to do their best? Read More...

Students can study identical content, yet develop different thought processes. How can teachers influence students’ thinking? Pass it on:

Sometimes students can learn to express clearly articulated thoughts better in settings that are not formally called public speaking. We Read More...

“Read for a full mind, write for a precise mind, and speak for a ready mind.” Sir Francis Bacon (modified) Read More...

Why do we ask questions? Jonas discusses the improved engagement and understanding that comes from questions well asked. Courtesy Christian Read More...

How do we deal with disrespect? Jonas encourages us to seek solutions for the underlying causes of disrespect. Courtesy Christian Read More...

Jonas discusses the application of respect and honor in day-to-day school life. Courtesy, says Jonas, shows the honor with which Read More...

We will look together at the role and responsibilities of the teacher in light of the expectations of students, parents, Read More...

Teaching is intensely personal. Students have minds, abilities, and wills that sometimes foil our lesson plans. They may be so Read More...

Writing can be an effective way to respond to or interact with the subjects of history, math, and science. Jonas Read More...

In the second part of the series on reading, writing, and speaking across the curriculum, Jonas focuses on the role Read More...

Jonas continues with activities that promote deeper integration of learning, including asking questions of people in history and paraphrasing familiar Read More...

In the final installment of the series, Jonas addresses teaching methods and spiritual practices for working with high school students. Read More...

A teacher must do more than impart information. A teacher is a trainer, one who shapes the pupils in his Read More...

How do we ask questions to stimulate interest? Grounded in the teaching example of Jesus, Jonas gives advice for building Read More...

Jonas deals with children’s insecurities, and ways teachers should minister to their middle-school students’ spiritual needs. Courtesy FBEP. Pass it Read More...

What is school? Jonas begins by challenging new and experienced teachers to consider their attitudes towards schooling. The way we Read More...

How do you go beyond talking to really teach? The overview of teaching continues with a discussion of preparing and Read More...

Christian education, says Jonas, is person-centered. Courtesy FBEP. Pass it on:

David Burkey explains the Christian relationship with knowledge. Because of the way God has revealed himself, we ought to be Read More...

Jonas encourages educators to expand their reading and writing programs. Excellence in these skills benefits other subject areas. Courtesy FBEP. Read More...

God is here. Even if we are not walking with Him, He has established a real inheritance for every one. Read More...

Although there is value in using outside resources, Jonas reminds teachers not to neglect to contribute to and receive from Read More...

A teacher has the opportunity to cultivate the attitude of the learner among her pupils by herself being a learner. Read More...

How can we meet the expectations of the people we serve? Jonas points us to serve others with our eyes Read More...

Questions, says Jonas, are powerful tools for training students in the discipline of learning. Courtesy FBEP. Pass it on:

How do we teach children to think of all things as they belong to God’s world? Jonas calls us to Read More...

Jonas evaluates the elements of reading and how it should we taught. As a child’s skills in reading improve, he Read More...

In part 2 of the session on reading, Jonas discusses follow-up tasks for reading work. He covers categories and uses Read More...

Jonas considers, first, the work of the school: the value of education is in helping us see Christ’s work in Read More...

This document outlines a CASBI address on the value and purpose of classroom visits from parents, board members, ministers, and Read More...

This document includes two checklists—one for general visitors and one for principals—to help guide classroom observations and to document observations Read More...