Principles of Teaching

by Adam S. Bennion
Principles of Teaching
Superintendent of Church Schools
Designed for Quorum Instructors and Auxiliary Class Teachers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Published by THE GENERAL BOARDS OF THE AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS OF THE CHURCH
1921
1952 Reprint of the original

Summary

In this 24 chapter work, Bennion (Mormon) gives tips and pointers on teaching religion. I know this is a Mormon work, but the principles of education shouldn’t really change much from one group to another. There may be some good theory of how to teach within this work, and I would expect that Bennion had a secular education in education.

Evaluation by David Cox

Although this work is done by a Mormon, the content still has value. The idea of Bennion is to give tips and pointers on how to teach religious principles to others. The subject is sorely needed in our circles, and even though the reader will have to exercise some discernment to see if the Mormon point of view comes into play as far as doctrine or practice, it is still worthy of examining for the serious student of Scripture.

Chapter Content

Preface vii
1. Purposes Behind Teaching 1
2. What Is Teaching? 7
3. The Joys of Teaching 14
4. Personality 20
5. Personality 26
6. Attainment 33
7. Native Tendencies 40
8. What to Do With Native Tendencies 46
9. Individual Differences 53
10. Individual Differences and Teaching 61
11. Attention 68
12. What Makes for Interest 74
13. A Laboratory Lesson in Interest 80
14. The More Immediate Problems in Teaching 88
15. Organizing the Lesson 96
16. Illustrating and Supplementing a Lesson 103
17. The Aim 111
18. Application 116
19. Methods of the Recitation 126
20. Review and Preview 134
21. The Question as a Factor in Education 142
22. The Problem of Discipline 149
23. Creating Class Spirit 157
24. Conversion—The Real Test of Teaching 164 Bibliography 171

Preface

That ever-old question, “How to Teach,” becomes ever new when made to read, “How to Teach Better.” This volume aims to raise those problems which every teacher sooner or later faces, and it attempts to suggest an approach by way of solution which will insure at least some degree of growth towards efficiency. These chapters originally were prepared for the course offered to teacher-trainers in the Summer School of the Brigham Young University, in 1920. The teachers in that course were an inspiration to the author and are responsible for many of the thoughts expressed in the pages of this book.

The successful teacher ever views his calling as an opportunity—not as an obligation. To associate with young people is a rare privilege; to teach them is an inspiration; to lead them into the glorious truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is heavenly joy itself. This little volume hopes to push open the door of opportunity a little wider, that more of that joy may be realized.

“Perchance, in heaven, one day to me Some blessed Saint will come and say, ‘All hail, beloved; but for thee My soul to death had fallen a prey’; And oh! what rapture in the thought, One soul to glory to have brought.”
ADAM S. BENNION.

PREFACE to the 1952 Edition

Two texts have been written for the teacher training program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since Dr. Adam S. Bennion’s Book Principles of Teaching was published, yet in spite of the fact that this book has been out of print several years so many requests for it have poured in that the General Superintendency has decided to satisfy the demand with this new edition.

This book with its classic qualities in many ways fits Shakespeare’s description of a beautiful woman when he said, “Age cannot wither her nor custom dim her infinite variety.” Anyone who knows Dr. Bennion or has read his writings knows that neither custom nor age has dimmed his infinite variety. Furthermore, a glance at the table of contents of this book will reveal the fact that the problems and principles treated herein are just as real today as they were when the text was written.

This little volume is republished in the hope that it again will become one of the basic texts in the teacher training program and fulfill its mission as an instrument in the hands of sincere people who have the devout wish of learning how to teach the principles of the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit.

H.A. Dixon, Chairman Teacher Training Committee