It's part of our state homeschooling laws here in Texas--our curriculum is supposed to include character education. Any homeschooler, religious or not, can include character education in their schooling. But I want something more...
I stumbled on this chart of character quality definitions at the Duggar's website a few weeks ago and I was very interested. I poked around the internet a bit and discovered similar definitions at other websites, but not with a godly emphasis. Teaching good morals and character to your children is needed, but without the emphasis on Christ, its just another thing to teach.
I've been researching a bit more (only what can be found for free online) and have found some great resources! Today I bought 3 ring binders for each girl and we are going to make notebooks as we work on character ed. each day.
Here are printable posters to put in our notebooks. I will use these as dividers, I think.
There will definitely be illustrating going on towards the end of the week. Both girls like to draw, so after they have gained a good understanding of the character quality, they can illustrate it for their binder.
I found these great lesson plans also. From these I found Bible stories to go along with the quality of the week. I haven't looked at all of them, but today we began "Alertness." We read the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife as an illustration of alertness and sang "Oh Be Careful Little Eyes." It's nice that the resources are already gathered for me.
Also, when it applies, we will be reading from The Children's Book of Virtues.
I am SURE there are other resources out there, so if you know of any, please pass them on! I'd love to see other book lists to go along with each character quality.
Here's some cute coloring pages...
ReplyDeletehttp://ponderedinmyheart.typepad.com/pondered_in_my_heart/2009/09/writing-the-abcs-on-little-hearts.html
Hi Brenda,
ReplyDeleteThose operational definitions from the Duggars are from Character First! which is what I use with my children. They sell cards that make a poster and they come with four or five application points on each card. They also sell a variety of books, etc. to go with this.
Many blessings...
Oh thank you for those coloring pages!!!! I already printed them. Great link!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Fuentes, I was under the impression that Character First! was NOT Bible-based. Am I confused? I've looked at a lot of things and yes, Character First! keeps coming up. I'll look into it again. Thanks.
Awesome coloring pages! I already printed them as well : )
ReplyDeleteWill keep a look out for the rest of the alphabet.
OK--I was right. Character First! is not a religious curriculum, but Bill Gothard ministries has nearly the same definitions but with a godly twist. An example:
ReplyDeleteForgiveness vs. Rejection
Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and allowing God to love them through me (Ephesians 4:32)
Forgiveness vs. Rejection
Clearing the record of those who have wronged
me and not holding a grudge
Brenda, I love a lot of Gothard's stuff, it is very good, you do have to be careful with it though. He thinks if you listen to any music with a drum beat that it's wicked, and that does come out in his stuff, and he's super patriarchial teaching girls that they have to "give their hearts" to their fathers, when in reality God should have a girls heart. However, his character stuff that you are looking at is very good and probably something I will use with my non home schooled children.
ReplyDeleteWhen I use these with my children I print out my own Bible verses to reinforce the material and we sit down before the school day for about 15 minutes or so after Bible during breakfast and go through the one character trait a day. Sometimes we use skits/play acting to illustrate the teaching too. Everyone looks forward to this time!
ReplyDeleteYes, Mrs. W....I knew his name carried controversy but I wasn't sure exactly why. But I agree with you, the character definitions look good. Thanks for the warning! :)
ReplyDeleteBrenda as always you have inspired me.Thank you for all the great ideas you are always willing to share.
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda, I've been away from blogland for a while, I'm hoping to rejoin fitness friday's this week.
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired by the character printables. I'm adding those to our notebooks today!!!!! Thanks.
yay yay yay!! i LOOOVE those printables from himnyc!! thank you - i love practical stuff like that with BIBLE VERSES!! can't wait to print thses out!
ReplyDeleteHey I have nothing against character education but where did you hear or read that it was a law in Texas????
ReplyDeleteOK--it actually says "good citizenship". I looked it up on HSLDA.
ReplyDeleteI didnt think I had gone mad! Or that I had missed something!
ReplyDeletecharacter is neccesary for good citizenship and obviously very, very neccesary anyway!
ANyway, I like the list of definitions from the Duggars. It is very interesting. I like on their chore charts- which they dont call it chores but anyway.... It says goals for the day and list the "chores".. I just like that it says goals so when they are not all done there is grace instead of it being an act of disobediance....