How To Evaluate Large Group Presentations In Your KidMin

I am collecting my thoughts on communicating God’s Word to kids.

I have just recently put together a self evaluation form for our elementary teachers.

I did this both through their and my own evaluation that our training process was lacking.

I am putting together a simple plan to help us all become better communicators.

My challenge was that in my life if I wanted to learn something, I did it.

No one ever purposely sat me down and told me these things.

Most I learned the hard way.

A few, I read in a book. Some I just stumbled upon.

I happen to learn many things quickly by simply teaching myself.

That presents a challenge when sharing that information with others.

Not everyone learns in this way.

This series is intended to be a place for me to gather and organize this thoughts to better equip the saints for ministry.

I wanted to share it with you so that perhaps it will help someone else or even perhaps you might have a word to add.

I wanted to show you how we have begun to evaluate our large group presentations.

I have made a form that I think has been helpful to many of our presenters.

I came up with this by thinking of all the things I had learned about public speaking over the years.

I then put them in a checklist form to help remind our teachers.

I have them fill it out because I want them to begin to self evaluate.

I make corrections as needed if I see they aren’t being honest with themselves.

(One is the lowest rating with 5 being the  best.)

You can download the pdf version here.

I’ll break down each one for you:

Were you in the class 30 minutes or earlier than start time? Y/N

(Late people don’t present well. You will connect with kids in large setting if you connect with them beforehand in a one on one setting.)

How prepared were you? 1-5 ____

(You can get more on this here.)

How long did you spend preparing and praying? ____

(This is measuring stick of preparation.)

How confident were you when presenting? 1-5 ____

(Here’s how to be more confident.)

How well did feel you connected with kids? 1-5 ____

(Nothing else matters if the kids aren’t getting it.)

How well do you feel that the kids understood the main points? 1-5 ____

(We need to make sure that the kids get the big idea, main point, etc for that day.)

How well do you think you executed the illustrations? 1-5 ____

(Preparation and confidence have to meet with execution eventually.)

How would you rate the overall lesson plan for this service? 1-5 ____

(If someone doesn’t connect with or understand our lesson plan then it will alter the outcome.)

How well did the kids behave during your segments? 1-5 ____

(Behaviour is a telling sign that kids are paying attention and engaged.)

How well did the kids behave overall? 1-5 ____

(If they behave during another segment, but not yours, there maybe something you are missing. Or vice versa.)

Did you use kids names while talking? Y/N

(The sweetest sound in the human language is our own name.)

Did the kids ever laugh while you were talking (with you, not at you)? Y/N

(Laughter releases chemicals in the brain that enhance memory.)

Did you maintain eye contact? Y/N

(I try to make sure that I connect with as many in the audience as I can.)

Did you use different voice volumes, tones and intensities while speaking? Y/N

(No one likes listening to a monotone speaker.)

Did you make it personal? Y/N

(You can’t separate yourself from passion. If you are passionate about something you will be in it.)

Did you have fun presenting? Y/N

(If we answer no to this we may be in the wrong ministry or need an overhaul.)

Did you allow the Holy Spirit to speak thru you? Y/N

(You can’t do this on your own.)

Did you use methods that caused the kids to interact? Y/N

(Did they have to do anything that pulled them into the presentation? Kid’s learn by doing more than just hearing. Make it an experience.)

When you weren’t talking, were you supporting the speaker? Y/N

(We ask all our teachers to help police the behavior of kids during the class time.)

Did this lesson help kids to do one or more of our four pillars of vision? (Circle all that
apply)

Develop a closer relationship with God?
Be filled with the Holy Spirit, faith & power?
Experience, develop, or share God’s love?
Find their identity according to the Word?

(These are our four pillars of spiritual development in kids. If we are doing anything outside of these we have gone astray and need to refocus.)

How long did your segment go? (should be 5-10 minutes long) _____ minutes

(Kid’s attention spans are limited. I would rather leave them wanting more than wondering when its over.)