How we use A Child's Book of Character Building in our Homeschool

I recently posted our Year End Review: Our Read Alouds and enjoyed looking back so much that I've decided to look back on Baby Girl's Kindergarten year.  We've used many different resources over the past years, but one I've used with all my kids is A Child's Book of Character Building. So, how did I use this book?

I decided to not only go through this book with Baby Girl, but add some picture books and copywork to go along with it.  The majority of the copywork was done the last half of the year as we were still working through our letters during the first half. But it ended up being a great review of each trait for her and I!

A Child's Book of Character Building is broken up into 12 character traits.  Each character trait is first defined in simple,but clear terms and has a Bible verse to go with it.  Then, each character trait has four simple, single page stories that relates that trait to the Bible, home, school and play.  At the end of each trait are a few simple questions/discussion prompts, called Character Development Challenges, to talk about.

Since our school year has 36 weeks in it, I chose to focus on one character trait for 3 weeks each.  The first week we read the definition and verse of the character trait and the Bible story included an example of the trait.  The following week, we would reread the definition and then read some or all of the 2-3 stories relating to home, school and/or play. When we finished the last story, we would discuss the character trait using the Character Development Challenges. Once we finished up the stories in each section, I would have a library book picked out for us to read that, again, related to the character trait we were discussing.  This was a great opportunity to ask Baby Girl how she saw the trait in the story and discuss it further.

I did some research to find books that would be applicable for each character trait.  Just a little note - I love the definitions this book uses for each trait, so I am including them!

Attentive - "Listening with the ears, eyes, and heart" 

The Morning Sam went to Mars by Nancy Carlson

Faith - "Believing God will do what He says"

Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise by Tomie DePaola

Creative - "Doing something in a new way"

  

Ish and or The Dot by Marcia Brown

Diligence - "Working hard to accomplish a task"

Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell

Patience - "Waiting with a Happy Spirit" 

Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake by Michael P Kaplan 

Contentment - "Happy with what I have"

The Whingdingdilly by Bill Peet

Obedience - "Doing what you are told with a happy, submissive spirit"

City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems

Wisdom - "Thinking God's way"

The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco

Tenderhearted - "Strong enough to feel the joys and hurts of others"

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

Thankfulness - "Being grateful and saying so"

I'm Thankful Each Day by PK Hallinan

Honesty - "Truthful words and ways"

The Boy Who Cried Wolf  (there are many good versions of this one!)

Joyfulness - "Being happy inside and out"

Have you Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud 

What a fun list and a whole lot of sweet moments to look back on!  Some of these books, I probably wouldn't have picked out on my own, but are now some of our favorites. 

Once we finished all the character traits and the copywork - I had Baby Girl write the trait and the definition provided - we punched some holes in them all, added a cover page and back page and we made our own book of character traits that Baby Girl can read through.

I hope this list inspires you to sit down and do a little bit of fun, and meaningful, reading with your child!

Rita

Big Picture Story Bible Review- One of the best Bibles for Littles!

  

A couple of Christmas's ago . . . we purchased The Big Picture Story Bible for Baby Girl.  I was looking for a "spiritual" gift for her and wanted something appropriate for a 4 year old - something she would actually be able to use.  I had looked at The Big Picture Story Bible and at The Jesus Storybook Bible.  I liked both of these from browsing through them on Amazon. They both have amazing and colorful pictures - not freaky pictures like some kids bibles. What's up with that?! Seriously, all my kids have received some sort of Bible in their PreK years and they ALL have disturbing pictures, lol.

I liked both of these options because the share the overriding Gospel message and show how God has had a plan since the beginning of time. They don't moralize the Bible stories. Yes, there are stories in the Bible that one can get a moral lesson from.  I want the Gospel message and God's love to capture my child's heart.  My goal was a Bible that shared the goodness and love of God and that we are a part of HIS story, this is not our story.  The Big Picture Story Bible comes highly recommended:

• This article does a great job of explaining how and why we should be teaching God's Word to our children and recommends The Big Picture Story Bible.

• At the homeschool convention I went to in April, John Stonestreet, from Breakpoint, did a talk titled: How We (Mis)handle the Bible. In his talk, he recommended The Big Picture Story Bible and The Jesus Storybook Bible.  

After reading reviews, looking through both of my options on amazon.com, I ended up getting The Big Picture Story Book Bible. Mainly because it also came with a CD!  As a homeschooling mom who frequently does read-a-louds, one thing I appreciate is a CD that does the reading for me. Sometimes I get tired of hearing the sound of my own voice . . .  but back to this Bible.  I love it! And Baby Girl does too!  It is divided into Old and New Testament and each Testament is divided into parts, 11 in the Old, 15 in the New.  There are questions peppered throughout each part that encourage the child to think about the story being told.  There are not only questions, but also reminders of God's love and that He has a plan throughout! And don't we all need that reminder?

If you're looking for a great Bible to get your preschooler started on, I highly recommend this one! Baby Girl is approaching 7 and will still put the CD on, sit down on the couch and listen to the entire book. Love that!

Rita

Forgiveness

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Every Sunday evening, my family gets together with a few other families for a focused time of fellowship and food - for our bodies and souls.  One could call this a small group, missional community, bible study or even, church.

The past few weeks we've been going over the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) and it was these specific lines that lead me to do a post on forgiveness:

"Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"

This could also read - sins, trespasses - but what does it really mean?  And what is FORGIVENESS really?  I have been wrestling with these 2 questions this week and the concept of forgiveness even longer.

In the Lord's Prayer, we are asking God to forgive us as we have forgiven those who have sinned/wronged us.  Wow . . . in as much as I forgive, I will be forgiven?!  That is a hard thought to process.  Read Matthew 6:14 - " For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."  And this is not the only time it is mentioned.  In Matthew 18:21,22, "Peter asks 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven'".  And then he proceeds to tell the parable of the king who forgave his servant a vast amount of debt, but then the servant proceeds to throw a fellow servant into prison for a much, much smaller amount of debt.  When the king hears of this, he becomes angry and has the first servant delivered to the torturers (!) until he can repay all of his debt.  (Matt. 18:23-34).  Then there is this in verse 35 - "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses".  

How can we, as mere humans forgive on this level?  


What sticks out to me about these verses?  They are not talking about forgiving our enemies - though there are plenty of those in God's Word - but forgiving our brothers and fellow servants .  I, personally, find it easy to forgive those I am not super close to.  It seems easier to me to forgive someone and offer them grace, see the situation through their eyes if they are not in close relationship to me.  It is so much more difficult to not let bitterness and unforgiveness build up when I have to interact with that person every day, when I see them not changing, when it hurts so much more because of our close relationship.  But not only does Christ call us to forgive our enemies, but our brothers (family), fellow servants (other Christ followers) . . . those we are close to.  Does this seem impossible to you?  If I'm being honest, it does to me!  But God has also given us His Spirit and tells us in Matthew 19:26 - "but with God all things are possible," and Jeremiah 32:17 - "There is nothing too hard for You."

First, what is forgiveness NOT?

Forgiveness is not the absence of angers at sin, forgiveness is not forgetting the wrong, forgiveness is not forgoing justice, forgiveness is not enabling and forgiveness is not necessarily reconciliation, as that requires both sides participating.

So then, what IS forgiveness?

I found this series of articles - specifically 1,2,& 5 by Focus on the Family, extremely helpful and have pulled a few quotes out that really seemed to speak to me. (Note: these were written for those dealing with divorce/infidelity - this is NOT something my husband and I are working through and I pray for protection in our marriage regarding this - but the articles are very applicable to forgiveness and the process it is).

Most importantly, forgiveness is a PROCESS - it may happen overnight, it may not.  It may take days, weeks, months and even years to truly embrace forgiveness.

"Forgiveness is a gift of God's grace . . .  and we must give ourselves the grace our healing requires as we move forward to full forgiveness."

 Many times, a situation requires time, perspective, more information and rebuilding the relationship. I think that saying "I forgive" and trying to act as if everything is the same doesn't allows us to take the time to really be open to complete forgiveness.

"When we've been deeply wronged something inside yearns for justice. If we don't forgive, our desire for justice becomes revenge, subjecting us to the bondage of bitterness and self-righteousness. When we choose to forgive, the justice we seek is for the other person to feel our pain."

Wow, I don't know about you, but that hits the nail on the head.  Isn't that usually what I want - an acknowledgement and validation for what I am feeling and going through?!  But even if I don't get that "justice", I am still freed. When I forgive others I am released from the bondage unforgiveness can cause in my own life - bitterness, resentment,etc.

True forgiveness takes place when we release our hurt and let go of it, acknowledging that our spouse  is a fallen human being, who is perhaps doing the best he or she can with the limited resources in their emotional, relational, and spiritual arsenal. When we anchor our hearts on the rock of God's love, the forgiveness of our spouse enables us to release our pain into God's healing hands. As grace shatters the threat of growing bitterness, it plants the seeds of a more intimate relationship. 

Where does this lead me?  To this:

Forgiveness is releasing the person who wronged me - whether a spouse, friend, child, co-worker, etc. - and myself from the wages and bondage of sin (death) as God has released me! Forgiving someone doesn't place them in right standing with God, it places me in right standing with God! I think I need to hear that again :

Forgiving someone doesn't place them in right standing with God, it places me in right standing with God!

When Christ died for me and I accepted His free gift, I no longer had to pay the punishment for my sins - they are completely forgiven. I praise Him for that and pray that He will enable me to pass on that forgiveness to those around me.

Rita

Become Like a Little Child

Jake and I are reading through The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and came upon this today:

      "We have memories of long ago, when we used to be free and we loved being free, but we have forgotten what freedom really means.

      If we see a child who is two or three, perhaps four years old, we find a free human.  Why is this human free? Because this human does whatever he or she wants to do.  The human is completely wild.  Just like a flower, a tree, or an animal that has not been domesticated --- wild! And if we observe humans who are two years old, we find that most of the time these humans have a big smile on their face and they're having fun.  They are exploring the world.  They are not afraid to play. They are afraid when they are hurt, when they are hungry, when some of their needs are not met, but they don't worry about the past, don't care about the future, and only live in the present moment.

      Very young children are not afraid to express what they feel.  They are so loving that if they perceive love, they melt into love. They are not afraid to love at all.  That is the description of a normal human being.  As children we are not afraid of the future or ashamed of the past.  Our normal human tendency is to enjoy life, to play, to explore, to be happy, and to love.

      But, what has happened with the adult human? Why are we so different? Why are we not wild?"

The first thing that came to my mind is this verse from Matthew (18:3) : "And He said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."  The second thing that came into my mind was a video I took of Boy 3 about 8 years ago . . . this boy, he has always been free and wild and his joy knows no end.   

He's 11 now.  He still is pretty wild and free and brings me great joy. <3  Praying for myself and you that we can be like a little child.

A Mother's Calling - Part 3

A Mother's Calling

This is the final post of three, from a lesson my own mother have given to me many years ago. 

Part 1, Part 2

My Mom

We are part of the body of Christ

I have learned that I am important in God's eyes.  My child should feel important in his mother's eyes.  He should feel worthwhile and loved.  As they get older, they will be able to see that they are a part of a bigger family.

The family unit is the ideal place for us all to learn how we fit into the body of Christ.  If I, first as a child of God, then as a wife, and then as a mother, take my proper place in the family, God can use me in the larger body.  So with my child: he learns interaction, sharing, how his feelings and actions relate to others, and how they affect others.  My child learns, in the safety and love of his home, how to relate to others, and how to use his talents for the good of God's kingdom.

Final thoughts

God keeps telling me to slow down, don't rush through my children, take the time; they are the task He has for me now.  I am to rest in motherhood as I rest in Him!  

As my children are being raised in the truth, I rejoice over God's faithfulness.  Oh Lord, that the love you have placed within me causes me to protect, trust, hope and to persevere in training my children.  Where I fall short, your love never fails.  Thank you, Lord.

I hope these posts have been encouraging to someone in their role as a mother. Rereading these, has not only been an excellent reminder for my role as a mother to my children, but also has given me a greater appreciation for my mother.  I thank God for her in a new and different way. She has always made me feel important, has shown me the 1 Corinthians love and most importantly, has shown me the how to be a follower of Christ. I hope and pray that my children learn much from me, but above all, to love Christ and follow after Him first.

Rita

A Mother's Calling - Part 2

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. "

Part 2 in a series given to me by my own mother

Help Comes from God

God wants my heart 

When a child is born, his heart is quickly given over to those that love him.  It isn't hard for the child to trust, love and look to his mother.  So, as I look to God, my first love, the infant and child in the beginning looks to his mother, his first love.

Wouldn't it be good for each of us to read the above scripture everyday before relating to our children? I believe God wants our children to begin getting a glimpse of this kind of love through us.  So, as I am mothering my children, I must strive to show the love of 1 Corinthians 13 - which I can only have through the power of the Holy Spirit and Christ living in me.

Happiness in Jesus

I have and will be spending many years mothering my children. When am I most happy in Jesus?

• When I allow Him to order my life 
• When I enter into regular prayer and fellowship with Him
• When I allow myself to be dependent on Him
• When I am obedient to Him

When I allow Him to order my life: My child will function best in an orderly life as I do. With routine, he will learn what to expect and be able tor relax in it. Without routine, the child will not have the security he would otherwise have.  Through prayer, God can show me how to best set up my household so I may serve Him in raising my children and caring for my family.

When I enter into regular prayer and fellowship with Jesus, I can also commit my children to God daily, their spiritual and physical welfare.  In order to glorify God, I must be consistent in communicating with Him. Sometimes my children will see me doing this, and other times, God and I will meet alone.  There are occasions when I include my child in "meetings with God", impromptu and planned. 

I am happiest when I am dependent on God.  I, by an act of my will, have chosen to turn my life over to the God who created me.  My child is naturally dependent on my from birth through much of his childhood.  He is happy and secure in this dependency while learning responsibility.

Obedience to God brings joy.  I experience that joy when I am obedient.  My child must be taught obedience to experience joy. Obedience is taught through discipline. We must discipline out of love, not anger or impatience. It must be done in a way that the child will not be belittled or feel rejected. Through correction the child learns that he is capable of proper behavior and encouraged, even motivated, to do better. Correction must be done in such a way that the child does not question our love for him.

Ways of discipline for each child may differ and only our Lord can reveal the best way for each child and situation.  We will make mistakes but love (the kind we talked about in 1 Corinthians) will cover these mistakes.  It is important to remember that our sweet babies learn early to manipulate their parents. With that in mind: a)parents should make all decisions for the very young and still many as they get older, b) parents must be consistent (no matter how the day is going), c) parents must not avoid conflict, they must deal with it, d) parents must not expect too much or too little from their children.


What do I notice when I read this?  Freedom.  As odd as that sounds and as our culture says that dependency and obedience are opposite of freedom, I see freedom.  I am free to be the person God has created me to be and get my identity from Him when I am in relationship with Him, depend on Him and am obedient to what He is calling me to do in my life.  The same is true for my children.  They have the freedom to be themselves within the security and love of our relationship.  

A Mother's Calling

This following is the first part of a lesson that was given to me by my mother in 2001.  She had given a talk many years before (I was probably 8-10 years old) at the church we then attended. At that time she gave this to me, we had our first two sons and they were 4 and 1.  Two more children, 14 years more years of parenting and the need to plan a devotional for a weekend retreat and I was led back to this. 

Not only did fill the need for that weekend, but it has spoken to my heart. As only a mother can fully understand a mother's heart for her children, it has given me a wonderful view into the heart of the woman who has been and continues to be one of the greatest influences in my life.  I hope it is as encouraging to you as it was to me.

A Mother's Calling

"What any of us has to share about our experiences in parenting would benefit the rest of us.  I have been asked to share today so I pray each of you will be encouraged and hopefully, better equipped in your parenting.

Vision for my Children:

1) "bringing them to the full knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives"

2) share in God's blessings

3) develop dependence on God, trust in God, and love of God that only our God deserves

The Scripture Basis for carrying out this Vision:

Colossians1:28-29, "We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone (our children) with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone (our children) perfect in Christ.  To this end I labor, struggling with all His (Christ's)energy, which so powerfully works in me."

This scripture emphasis the importance of having that personal relationship with God.  In having that relationship, we can help reach that end (so our children may be perfect in Christ).  In having that relationship, we have His (Christ's) energy to do it.  God knows we need energy!"

Many times I am unable to focus on a specific goal or task when parenting.  Especially as a mom who also teaches her children during the day, the roles and responsibilities frequently overlap or run together.   Is it that they are learning to read today, having a hard time being kind to one another, getting those multiplication facts down, learning to work with a cheerful heart or, sometimes, that we are just trying to make it through the day?!  For me to have the vision above is not so much what we do during our day, but how we do it.  

What a powerful reminder (and one that I so desperately need) that this task of parenting is not something I labor at by myself!  I not only have my husband, family and friends to encourage and help me, but ultimately I have Christ and with Him, nothing is impossible!