January 2, 2007 8:16 AM
Teaching virtues, good manners, and character
From Julie, who blogs at Raising Three Knights and a Princess:
Hey Barbara,I'm searching for something to help me teach virtues, good manners, fruit of the Spirit etc to my kids (ages 8,7,5,2). I want something that gives me something to talk about each week PLUS practical application. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks so much...
Tripp and I have really loved the Character Sketches from Institute for Basic Life Principles.
While I know Bill Gothard is a controversial figure and many of his followers show a devotion that borders on cultlike (sorry if this offends any readers, but I think it's important for Christians to think for themselves), he has produced exceptional teaching materials.
Tripp read these with the whole family. Though they are a little above the heads of the younger children, that's okay. Children need to learn to sit quietly and listen to pick up whatever they can when the material being read is above their heads. That's just being polite. It also motivates them to be attentive - especially if the adults and older children are modeling it - so they can be in on what the rest of the family is hearing. When Tripp reads, I always look directly at him and keep my face alert - as a way to model for the kids. We have taught them that listening is not pasive, but an active endeavor and that everyone needs to look at the person speaking or reading and show attentiveness in their features.
I'm not doing this for appearance sake, but because control of the body leads to control of the mind. There is an old expression: "If you bring the body, the mind will follow." I am pretty strict with my kids about no squirming or distracting behavior when it is time to listen - simply because you can't hear when your body is moving around.
This may seem a tangent from Julie's question, but it's important because often we look at the reading level of something and underestimate what our children can absorb. The Character Sketches are intelligent enough to be very interestin to adults, but they are easily accessible to elementary age children who know how to listen.
Listening is one of the most important skills you can teach your children, so if you've lowered your expectations in this area, you might want to raise them a few notches to call forth the best in your kids.
By the way, there are used copies of the first two volumes of Character Sketches at Amazon starting at 13.50 (please remember to go in through my link). Volume 3 is more expensive. Inexpensive copies are also available at Ebay and there is a 3-volume set with a Buy-it-now price of 59.99.
These books are truly a great investment - our boys especially loved them and pored over the tales from the animal kingdom and the Bible even when Daddy wasn't reading them.
Posted in Big families, Books, Fathers, Homeschooling, Mothering | Permalink
Comments
You got me, Barbara! The Amazon icon was right next to the post, and that buy-with-one-click is just too easy!I think I and my son will really enjoy these! Thank you.
Bonnie
Posted by: Bonnie | January 2, 2007 10:43 PM
barbara,
thanks for the advice. i'm going to get one of the books and see how i like them. let us know how everything goes tomorrow. i've had several places cut out/scraped. i think the healing process is the worst of it all. i itch like crazy. hope your healing is blessed with no itching!
julie
Posted by: julie | January 3, 2007 10:52 PM
Yay! My husband (33) grew up with these books, and when we were 'home' for Christmas, we asked to borrow the set as we are just starting to homeschool our kids (5, 2, and sweet Eliana still in China). My husband has spoke fondly of these books for years and I am looking forward to passing on the tradition. I agree that they will stretch my 5-yr-old's ability to sit still, but thanks for the reminder to work on this very important 'skill'. Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | January 9, 2007 10:57 PM
