Personally, the biggest challenge for me is that I only have the students for 75 minutes per week. In a regular classroom setting, it's much easier to pick up where you left off. When you've gone a week or more without seeing your students, it becomes difficult to keep the "flow" of learning going.
Another challenge is that some of the parents just aren't involved. They treat the religious education program as a babysitting service - a place to drop their children off and know that they'll be taken care of. When the students are asked if they go to Mass every week, pray as a family or go to penance regularly, only a very small percentage say that they do. What we do in the classroom is only a part of the big picture. The parents should be supplementing what we do.
Also, there will be behavior problems just like in a regular classroom, and while some parents admit that their child is restless or talkative, others will deny that their sweet little angel has misbehaved.
The last challenge, because I teach at evening religious ed, is that the kids (like me) are tired. They've been at school all day, have come home, done some homework, eaten dinner and now they are sitting in front of me. They would rather be home watching TV or chatting with friends.
It's not all challenging, though. When you know you have gotten through to a student, or when they proudly remember something you taught them weeks ago - that makes it all worthwhile!
Maria Harris has written: 'Teaching and religious imagination' -- subject(s): Christianity, Education, Imagination, Philosophy, Religious aspects, Religious aspects of Teaching, Teaching 'Reshaping religious education' -- subject(s): Catechetics, Philosophy, Christian education, Catholic Church 'Dre Reader' 'Women and teaching' -- subject(s): Psychological aspects, Psychological aspects of Teaching, Psychology, Religious aspects, Religious aspects of Teaching, Teaching, Women, Women teachers, Women's studies
Jeff Bagnell has written: 'Effective teaching of religious and moral education' -- subject(s): Religious education of children, Study and teaching (Secondary), Study and teaching (Primary), Catholic schools
Values education focuses on teaching universal values such as honesty, respect, and responsibility, whereas religious education focuses on teaching specific religious beliefs, practices, and traditions associated with a particular faith. Values education aims to develop students' moral character and decision-making skills, while religious education aims to impart knowledge and understanding of a specific religious tradition.
At education-portal.com/religion_degrees.html there are lists of all religious schools and degrees for careers in religious leadership, teaching and counseling.
One of the challenges to religious fundamentalism in the 1920s was the Scopes Monkey Trial, where the teaching of evolution in public schools clashed with the belief in creationism. This trial highlighted the tensions between science and religion and raised questions about the role of religion in education and society.
Sara Little has written: 'The role of the Bible in contemporary Christian education' -- subject(s): Bible, Religious education, Study and teaching 'The language of the Christian community' -- subject(s): Study and teaching, Bible 'Youth, world, and church' -- subject(s): Church work with youth 'Learning together in the Christian fellowship' -- subject(s): Religious education, Teaching methods
Norma Anne Kirkendall has written: 'Let's do something about our teaching' -- subject(s): Education, Religious education, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Teaching methods
Herbert Wright Gates has written: 'Missionary education in the church' -- subject(s): Study and teaching, Religious education, Missions
D. Campbell Wyckoff has written: 'In one spirit' -- subject(s): Study and teaching, Missions 'Theory and design of Christian education curriculum' -- subject(s): Curricula, Religious education 'How to evaluate your Christian education program' -- subject(s): Religious education
Check out http://academicwriter1.wordpress.com/. That is the site that will be useful for you.
It try's to... Parents should be teaching their children that. There sure a lot less of it in today's society.
Dolores Baker has written: 'Teaching the Bible to primaries' -- subject(s): Religious education of children