Peter Goertzen

Softball is a great recess and PE activity for the warmer months of the school year. I’ve found that a Read More...

“Why do we have to know all this stuff?” Sure, sometimes students are just grasping for a reason not to Read More...

Stimulating, productive discussions are among the most rewarding classroom experiences for both teachers and students. But making them happen can Read More...

You rush off ten minutes after dismissal on Friday and drive across three states, beginning a weekend of much activity Read More...

Reading is essential for expanding knowledge, but it requires dedicated time that can be hard to set aside. Audio recordings Read More...

As your school year ends, it’s a good time to think about how you can grow in preparation for next Read More...

I hadn’t been teaching very long when I noticed that my students had lots of problems, bad problems. I’ve seen Read More...

In 11th and 12th grade, students at Maranatha Christian School study world cultures and geography. Peter Goertzen explains why the Read More...

Over on the forums, Jane Bauman asks a question that surely vexes us all: “What are ways to help older Read More...

There’s Johnny again, browsing through Chapter 14 during your class discussion of Chapter 9. He is not reading the words; Read More...

Mr. Goertzen’s syllabus for his Church History Class, including basic grading policy, procedures and objectives. Download this document or read Read More...

First church history test focusing on the time of Christ, the birth of the church, and the spread of the Read More...

Second church history test going from the time of Roman persecution, through Constantine’s rule, to Christianity being the only legal Read More...

Third church history test covering material from 400 AD through the Middle Ages. Some of the topics tested are the Read More...

Fourth church history test is an essay where students are to “explain how the teachings and actions of Luther, Zwingli, Read More...

Fifth church history test is a project where students are to “Put together a program of songs reflecting the history, Read More...

Sixth church history test about the Anabaptist people in Europe following the severe persecution of the Reformation, the move of Read More...

Seventh church history test has students choose two essays to write about the three topics given. These topics focus on Read More...

Student handout with Biblical references for students to write the definition of church. Download this document or read it below. Read More...

Short quiz on the life of Christ including the spiritual and political context of His life. Download this document or Read More...

Student handout about the spiritual and political climate in which Jesus lived and Jesus’ life and ministry. Download this document Read More...

Short quiz on the beginning of the early church. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

This student handout covers the time of the early church. It begins with Jesus’ ascension, and includes the growth of Read More...

Short quiz on the spread of Christainity through Paul and the early apostles’ teachings. Download this document or read it Read More...

This student handout tells about the ministry of Paul and the spread of Christianity during the time of the apostles. Read More...

Short quiz on Roman society and the early Christians. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

This student handout contrasts Roman society with the beliefs and actions of the early Christians. Download this document or read Read More...

Short quiz on the Christian in Roman society. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

Short quiz on the early Christian’s response to emperor worship. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

This student handout focuses on the early church’s persecution, especially the persecution intiated by Nero. One of the leading causes Read More...

A short quiz matching early church leaders with their lives or teachings. Download this document or read it below. Pass Read More...

This student handout is about a few of the early church leaders: Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Origen. Download this Read More...

A short quiz on the canon of Scripture. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

This student handout focuses on how and why the canon of Scripture was adopted by the early church. Download this Read More...

A short quiz on the beliefs and influence of Gnosticism. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

This student handout focused on Gnosticism, a major competitor of early Christianity. Gnostics taught that spirit was good and matter Read More...

A short quiz on the beliefs of Marcion. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

A short quiz on the beliefs of Marcion and Montanus. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

This student handout focusing on the life and teachings of Marcion and Montanus, prominent teachers in the 2nd century. Download Read More...

A short quiz on the teachings of Ebionism, Docetism, and Arianism, all Christological heresies. Download this document or read it Read More...

This short student handout focuses on some early heresies about Jesus. Download this document or read it below. Pass it Read More...

A short quiz on sacramentalism and the shift in church authority after 200 BC. Download this document or read it Read More...

An alternate quiz on sacramentalism and the shift in the way the church responded to apostacy after 200 BC. Download Read More...

This student handout talks about sacramentalism and the shift of authority in the church after 200 BC. Download this document Read More...

A short quiz about monasticism, its growth and practices. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

A document containing excerpts from The Rule of St. Benedict, giving instruction to monks about food, daily work and the Read More...

This student handout explains the beginning of monasticism, its growth, and some of its strengths and weaknesses. Download this document Read More...

A short quiz about Constantine and the changes his favor of Christianity brought to the church. Download this document or Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to give the story of Constantine and how his favor of Christianity Read More...

A paragraph from the Confessions of Augustine of Hippo with teacher instructions on how students are to interact with it. Read More...

Short quiz on Augustine and the events surrounding his life. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

Short quiz on Augustine and some of his beliefs. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

This student handout ties in with the lesson outline to give a sketch of Augustine of Hippo’s life and beliefs. Read More...

A short quiz on the differences in the Eastern churches in the middle ages. Download this document or read it Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to describe different branches of the church in the Byzantine Empire. Download Read More...

A short quiz on the Eastern Catholic churches in the middle ages. Download this document or read it below. Pass Read More...

A short quiz on some of the differences that led to the Great Schism. Download this document or read it Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to trace the growing differences in beliefs in the Eastern Orthodox church Read More...

A short quiz on some of the main terms and influences on the church in the middle ages. Download this Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to show how the church rose in power to fill the vacuum Read More...

A short quiz on the church in the middle ages, some of its vices and the push for reform. Download Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to trace the church’s growth in power, the call for reform in Read More...

A short quiz on the church in the late middle ages. Download this document or read it below. Pass it Read More...

A short quiz on Jan Hus and mysticism in the late middle ages. Download this document or read it below. Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to show how the church declined in power in the late middle Read More...

A short quiz about Luther’s life and beliefs. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to tell about Luther’s life leading up to nailing his 95 thesis Read More...

A short quiz on Luther’s life after nailing his 95 Thesis on the church door. Download this document or read Read More...

A short quiz on Zwingli’s life and beliefs. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

This student handout ties with the lesson outline following Luther’s life after the nailing of his 95 Thesis on the Read More...

A short quiz on leaders in the English Reformatioin. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

A short quiz on some of the differences of thought in the Anglican church during the Reformation. Download this document Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to follow the reformation in England beginning with the reign of Henry Read More...

A short quiz on the life of John Calvin. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

A short quiz on the areas that were strongly influenced by Calvinism and what these people were called in each Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline about John Calvin’s life and teachings. Download this document or read it Read More...

A short quiz on Catholic reforms and the conflict between the Catholic and Protestant churches in Europe. Download this document Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to touch on the conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Europe following Read More...

A short quiz matching reformers with their teachings. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

A short quiz focusing on the controversy of baptism in the Reformation. Download this document or read it below. Pass Read More...

A short quiz on beliefs and struggles of the early Anabaptists in Switzerland. Download this document or read it below. Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline focusing on differing views within the Anabaptist movement and the resulting weakness Read More...

A short quiz on the doctrines of the Schleitheim Confesson. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

The seven articles of the Schleitheim Confession followed by instructions for a student writing project. Download this document or read Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline, giving the seven articles of the Schleitheim Confession and briefly telling where Read More...

A short quiz where students are to list three characteristics shared by two early German Anabapist leaders. Download this document Read More...

A short quiz where students are to list three characteristics of Swiss Anabaptist leaders. Download this document or read it Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to focus on the life and teaching of many of the early Read More...

This quiz focuses on early Anabapist leaders and their beliefs. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

This student handout ties with the lesson outline about the teachings of Melchior Hoffman, especially his emphasis on prophecy and Read More...

This short quiz focuses on the Anabaptists of Munster. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

This student handout ties with the lesson outline following the Anabaptists in northern Europe after the defeat of the Munsterites Read More...

A short quiz on the history of the Hutterites and some of their beliefs. Download this document or read it Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline, focusing on the Hutterites from their beginning to their migration to North Read More...

This short quiz asks two questions about the conflict between the Catholic and Protestant churches in Europe. Download this document Read More...

This short student handout ties with the lesson outline to show the Catholic church’s response to the Reformation. They initiated Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to focus on Pietism and Philipp Spener’s six proposals for “personal religious Read More...

This quiz matches leaders of the revivals in England and America in the early 1700s with what they did or Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to touch on the influence of Pietism in England and the United Read More...

A short quiz on Anabaptist migration and divisions within the Anabapist churches following the Reformation. Download this document or read Read More...

A short quiz on Anabaptism following the Reformation, the tolerance and restrictions place upon them, and their assimilation into general Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to follow the history of the Anabaptists after the Reformation. A notable Read More...

An essay assignment for students to identify modern ideas that have their roots in Enlightenment thought. Download this document or Read More...

A short quiz on the first permanent Anabaptist settlement in America, its growth and the consequent spread to other areas. Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to tell about the first permanent Anabaptist settlement in America. Many Anabaptists Read More...

This short quiz focuses on Mennonites and some of the challenges of the 18th century –pietism, prosperity, and revolution. Download Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to touch on the writing of the Marytr’s Mirror with the main Read More...

A short quiz on the progressive views of Christianity in the 19th century. Download this document or read it below. Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to focus on Christianity in the 19th century, particularly in Britian and Read More...

This quiz focuses on some of the beliefs of religious liberals in the 19th century. Download this document or read Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to address changes in Christianity in the 19th century. Religious liberals embraced Read More...

This quiz focuses on the acceptance by some and rejection by others of progressive thought in the Mennonite church in Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to focus on the changes and influences on the Mennonite church in Read More...

This quiz focuses on the beginning of the General Conference Mennonites and the differences in belief betweeen them and the Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to focus on the beginning of the General Conference Mennonite Church as Read More...

This quiz focuses on Russian Mennonite history. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

This student handout ties with the lesson outline tracing the history of the German Mennonites who moved to Russia in Read More...

This quiz focuses on the Holiness movement in America, its beginning and beliefs. Download this document or read it below. Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to focus on the influence and beliefs of the holiness movement in Read More...

This quiz focuses on the beginnings and influences of Pentecostalism on Christianity in America. Download this document or read it Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to touch on the beginning of Pentecostalism, its distinctives, and its spread Read More...

This quiz focuses on some of the main attacks of Modernism on traditional Christianity and the resulting push back of Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline shows the attack of modernism on Christianity especially in the late 19th Read More...

This quiz focuses on the beliefs of evangelicals in contrast with the increasing secularization of the American society. Download this Read More...

This quiz focuses on the beliefs of evangelicals in contrast to the beliefs of the mainline churches in America in Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline touching on the beginnings of Evangelicalism. With American society became increasingly secular, Read More...

This short quiz focuses on American Christianity in the 21st century, specifically the emergent church movement. Download this document or Read More...

This quiz focuses on American Christianity in the 21st century, specifically evengelical and mainline churches. Download this document or read Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline focusing on American Christianity in the 21st centry. Because of increasing secularization Read More...

A short quiz about the emergent church. Download this document or read it below. Pass it on:

This student handout ties with the lesson outline focusing on the rise of the emergent church and its beliefs. Download Read More...

A short quiz about the Mennonite churches in America in the 20th century. Download this document or read it below. Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to focus on the Mennonite church in the 20th century. The beginning Read More...

This quiz focuses on the recent growth of Christianity in China, India, and Africa as well as some of the Read More...

This student handout ties with the lesson outline to talk about the recent rapid growth of Christianity in Asia, Latin Read More...

A quiz on the Brethren churches in America, their history and their distinctive thought and practice. Download this document or Read More...

Teacher generated questions for students to answer after reading the last chapter of the book The Secret of the Strength Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, has questions and answers taken from the time of Christ until 200 AD. Topics Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, has questions and answers taken from 200 AD to 380 AD. Topics covered are Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, has questions and answers taken from 400 AD through the Middle Ages. Some topics Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, has questions and answers about the Anabaptist people in Europe after the severe persecution Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, has questions and answers about the early life of the Mennonites in America and Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, defines what the church is. Download this document or read it below. Pass it Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, describes the spiritual and political climate in Jesus’ day and Jesus’ ministry, death and Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, covers the time of the early church. It begins with Jesus’ ascension, and includes Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, tells about the ministry of Paul and gives reasons for the rapid spread of Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, contrasts Roman society with the beliefs and actions of the early Christians. Download this Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on the early church’s persecution, especially persecution initiated by Nero. One of the Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, teaches about a few early church leaders: Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Origen. Download Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, explains how and why the canon of Scripture was adopted by the early church. Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on Gnosticism, a major competitor of early Christianity. Gnostics taught that spirit was Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, tells about the life and teachings of Marcion and Montanus, prominent teachers in the Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, tells about some early heresies about Jesus. Download this document or read it below. Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, talks about sacramentalism and the shift of authority in the church after 200 BC. Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, explains the beginning of monasticism, its growth, and some of its strengths and weaknesses. Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, gives the story of Constantine and how his favor of Christianity led to church Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, gives a sketch of Augustine of Hippo’s life and beliefs. Download this document or Read More...

This document, converted from a short Powerpoint, describes different branches of the church in the Byzantine Empire. Download this document Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, gives some of the terminology and affiliation of the eastern catholic churches. Download this Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, traces the growing differences in beliefs in the Eastern Orthodox church and the Roman Read More...

This document, converted from a short Powerpoint, shows how the church rose in power to fill the vacuum left by Read More...

This document, converted from a short Powerpoint, traces the church’s growth in power, the call for reform in the church, Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, shows how the church declined in power in the late middle ages and became Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, tells about Luther’s life leading up to nailing his 95 thesis to the church Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, follows Luther’s life after the nailing of his 95 Thesis on the church door, Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, follows the reformation in England beginning with the reign of Henry VIII who made Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on John Calvin’s life and teachings. Download this document or read it below. Read More...

This document, converted from a PowerPoint, touches on the conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Europe following the Reformation. Download Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, follows the teaching and practice of various reformers including Karlstadt, Munster, Zwingli, Reublin, and Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on differing views within the Anabaptist movement and the resulting weakness and struggle. Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, gives the seven articles of the Schleitheim Confession and briefly tells where it was Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on the life and teaching of many of the early Anabaptist leaders in Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, talks about the teachings of Melchior Hoffman, especially his emphasis on prophecy and Christ’s Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, follows the Anabaptists in northern Europe after the defeat of the Munsterites in 1535. Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on the Hutterites from their beginnings to their migration to North America in Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, shows the Catholic church’s response to the Reformation. They initiated reforms in their churches Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on Pietism and Philipp Spener’s six proposals for “personal religious experiences and holiness Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, touches on the influence of Pietism in England and the United States. Revivals broke Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, follows the history of the Anabaptists after the Reformation. A notable schism occurred in Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, is a short explanation of the differing views of truth and authority that the Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, tells about the first permanent Anabaptist settlement in America. Many Anabaptists settled in Germantown, Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, touches on the writing of the Marytr’s Mirror with the main focus being on Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on Christianity in the 19th century, particularly in Britian and America with an Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, addresses changes in Christianity in the 19th century. Religious liberals embraced evolution, considered the Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on the changes and influences on the Mennonite church in the 19th century. Read More...

This document, converted from a PowerPoint, focuses on the beginning of the General Conference Mennonite Church as well as the Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, traces the history of the German Mennonites who moved to Russia in the late Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on the influence and beliefs of the holiness movement in America, especially its Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, touches on the beginning of Pentecostalism, its distinctives, and its spread throughout the United Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, shows the attack of modernism on Christianity, especially in the late 19th and early Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, touches on the beginnings of Evangelicalism in the mid-1900s. With American society became increasingly Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on American Christianity in the 21st centry. Because of increasing secularization in mainstream Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on the rise of the emergent church and its beliefs. Download this document Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on the Mennonite church in the 20th century. The beginning 20th century saw Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, talks about the recent rapid growth of Christianity in Asia, Latin America and Africa Read More...

This document, converted from a Powerpoint, focuses on the history of the Brethren churches in America along with the things Read More...

I once climbed Mt. St. Helens to the rim of its crater. The picture above, taken from the rim that Read More...

How do you tell the story of our past? What activities and skills do students need to profit from history? Read More...

How do you prepare to teach a class? How do you know what lectures, questions, and activities to include? It Read More...

I hate grades. Well, not exactly. I hate the way students (and parents) are conditioned to think about grades in Read More...

In my experience, each group of history students has at least one Mr. Why-Didn’t-They-Just question. “Why didn’t they just agree Read More...

Presentation software is one of my favorite teaching tools. Programs such as PowerPoint, Keynote, and Prezi help teachers to emphasize Read More...

My last blog post was about the importance of reading. In this post, I’ll suggest some books that you might Read More...

I used to live near a hardware store that employed a man I’ll call Tom. Tom seemed to be in Read More...

Our history tests are littered with questions like this: Alexander the Great’s decisive victory at the Battle of _____ led Read More...

One of education’s most harmful myths is that a teacher must “bring learning to life,” “make school fun,” and otherwise Read More...

Teachers can be overwhelmed by our students’ needs. God wants us to bless our students as His servants, but not Read More...

Teaching is demanding work. How can we give our best without wearing out? Pass it on:

I know you scarcely have time to even think about reading. Start thinking about reading anyhow. Summer’s coming, and maybe Read More...