You Have Heard It Said

"You have heard it said...but I tell you..."

~ Jesus

I was rereading the Sermon on the Mount. And I was reminded of the wisdom of this teaching. I imagine the audience was filled with listeners very familiar with the Law and the Prophets. The teachings and expectations had been handed down from generation to generation and they had very likely "heard it said" much of their lives. So I love the way Jesus both includes and transcends the familiar words with "but I tell you." He does not discard the teachings. He takes the teachings a step further. He wants the listeners to dig deeper.

I've been teaching math for the past twenty-six years, and I've taught every grade level from fourth grade through high school. What I find interesting is that for the most part, I've been teaching them all the same big ideas. For all those years and all those grade levels, I've taught the same basic concepts and skills. The only difference is the varying levels of depth and complexity. When it comes to the big ideas of problem solving and communication in math, my older students have most certainly "heard it said" over and over again.

So as I was reading the Sermon, I was thinking of my students. The ones who have "heard it said." They have learned the rules and formulas. They have figured out how to "do math." Then I think of the times when something happens. The times when something clicks. The times when they move past "the what" and catch a glimpse of "the why." I was thinking of the listeners of the Sermon who also began catching this glimpse. They had a foundation and knew the rules and teachings, but then something happened. Jesus takes it a step further. He makes a claim that required the listeners to look back, look forward, and then dig deeper.

This is how good teachers teach. They meet students where they are and then build on their understanding. A good strategy is to surprise the learner. To use stories and examples and thoughts that stretch them to think a step beyond what they already know and give them something to consider. To include (you have heard it said) and to transcend (but I tell you). I imagine the listeners had a good foundation. But the listeners became learners when they are surprised by the words of this sermon. I love this image because I get to see a version of this so often in my classroom.

So I encourage you, as I encourage myself, to take a step beyond "the what" and consider "the why" of this teaching. Think back to your days in the classroom as a learner. Think of how much you grew in the depth of your wisdom and understanding from year to year. You have heard it said that it is good to know the what, but I tell you it is even better to know the why. When you have "arrived" is the perfect time to start digging deeper.