What is Rotation Model Teaching?

In a rotational setting, the same Bible story or theme is taught for several weeks. Each week, learners rotate to a different station. The story remains the same, but children encounter it in different ways in each station. Repetition is an important part of the rotation approach. The more different ways children explore a story or concept, the more it is reinforced in their memories. The variety of experiences keeps interest high throughout the unit. Teachers teach the same lesson, with age-level adjustments, for the length of the rotation.

Rotational learning is exciting for students and teachers alike, as teachers teach to their strengths and students experience Bible stories in ways they learn best. Rotational learning is grounded in the work of Howard Gardner in Multiple Intelligences Theory. Rotational learning is active learning, emphasizing each of the first seven intelligences that Gardner identified. Rotational learning is an extremely flexible model that adapts well to many settings.

What is the history of Rotation Model Teaching?

In 1990, Reverend Neil MacQueen and Melissa Armstrong-Hansche, staff members at the Barrington Presbyterian Church in Barrington, Illinois, created what became known as the Workshop Rotation Model® for Sunday school. Other Christian educators in the area soon became involved in using and further developing this model.  The model soon spread beyond the Chicago area. Churches across the country, representing a wide number of denominations, now use the Workshop Rotation Model®.

What is "Multiple Intelligences?"

For much of the twentieth century, psychologists believed that intelligence could be objectively measured and expressed by a single number, or "IQ" score. In 1983, Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner challenged this idea in the book Frames of Mind. Gardner argued that an IQ score defined human intelligence too narrowly. He proposed the existence of at least seven basic intelligences. He called this "Multiple Intelligences Theory."

In working with Multiple Intelligences Theory, it is helpful to remember several key points.

1. Each person is a unique creation. We each possess all the intelligences, but these intelligences work together differently in each person. Most people have some intelligences that are highly developed, some that are fairly developed, and some that are underdeveloped.

2. Each intelligence can be developed to an acceptable level of competency in most people.

3. Intelligences are integrated into patterns. They rarely stand alone.

4. There are many ways to experience and express each intelligence. Research continues on Multiple Intelligences Theory. Gardner has recently added an eighth intelligence, naturalist, and discussed the possibility of a ninth, spiritual.  First UMC uses the first seven intelligences that Gardener identified.

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