Scripture: I Kings 19:19-21, 2 Kings 1:1-2:18
- Students will review the story of Elijah and Elisha.
- Students will learn the importance of learning from older generations.
- Students will learn how to ask productive interview questions that result in quality, detailed answers.
- Why should I interview older generations?
- How can I ask good question in order to learn more information?
Materials: paper, pencils
Procedure: Review the story of Elijah and Elisha focusing on Elisha’s desire to be like his mentor, Elijah. Discuss how Elijah affected Elisha’s life. Elisha would not have been able to do the things that Elijah did if he had not followed him and learned from him first. Ask students about people who have influenced their lives. Tell them that it is important to learn from people who have experienced things that they have not yet experienced. The best way to learn is by asking good questions. Define the terms “generation” and “interview” so that students have the language necessary to understand the assignment. Explain that they will be interviewing someone older than them so that they can learn about something new. As a group brainstorm things that they might want to learn from someone older than them. Then review basic tips for asking good questions:
• Say No to Yes/No Questions: Ask questions that are open-ended. That means ask questions that do not result in a yes/no answer.
• Dig Deeper: After asking a question, use follow up question such as “Why?” or “How?”
• Have a Purpose: Think about the information that you want. Then think backward to make a question. Write a purpose statement for what you want to get out of your interview. For example: “I want to learn how to sew a quilt” or “I want to know what school was like when you were my age.” Tell this to the person you are interviewing so that they know the big idea that you want to get out of the interview.
• It’s All In How You Do It: Learn what is considered respectful body language and tone for the person you are interviewing. Speak loudly and distinctly. Do not interrupt. Give eye contact if it is respectful.
Let students chose a person who is older than them that they would like to interview. Their purpose should either be to learn how to do something, or to learn what a specific aspect of life like for the person in at a specific time.
Guide students in creating a purpose for their interview. Then students should write 5 questions to ask. They should leave space to write answers between the questions.
Let students practice asking questions to each other and taking notes on the answers.
Then, tell students to ask these questions to the person that they chose and take notes and return to class with the answers. They can share what they learned.
- What information can only be provided by the person you interviewed? Is there information that only someone from an older generation would know?
- What were you most surprised by in your interview?
- Is there anything that you learned from the person that you want to do differently in your life? Did they mention mistakes they made that you can learn from?
- Is there anything that you learned from the person that you want to do just like them? Did they mention successes that they had that you want to have too?
- Students can write an informational piece based on their interviews. Students can summarize parts and also use quotes using proper quotation marks. Then they can share their stories with the class. Encourage students to use props and pictures to re-teach what they know. Emphasize the importance of teaching others what you have been taught.
- Students can combine their interviews to create a magazine containing articles from their peers. Encourage quotes, summaries, pictures, etc. Include a table of contents, cover page, and title.
- Let students practice with technology by recording the interview or videoing it. Emphasize that they should always ask permission before recording. Discuss how this makes the note-taking easier and retains the quality of the interview.