Congratulations to the winner of the Character Concepts curriculum giveaway-
Donna
Thanks to all who entered!
-Beth
3 Aug
Character Resource Giveaway!!
I am so excited to be hosting my first giveaway! Read on to find out about this wonderful resource!
I believe that the preschool years are a perfect time to focus on learning to have godly character. This is the time that we are laying the foundation for our children to be obedient, honest, respectful, and diligent.
This year I have been using a book for my character training time with my little ones. It is called Crossroads of Character: Learning to Make Wise Choices. I wanted to share it, because it has been such a helpful resource in our home.
It was written by Marilyn Boyer and her grown daughter Kate Boyer Brown. The Boyers are veteran homeschoolers (they have been homeschooling for over 30 years now!) and have a business called The Learning Parent. I have enjoyed their materials for several years now, and Crossroads of Character has to be one of my favorites.
Crossroads of Character contains cute stories of children making choices that are wise and pleasing to God. 12 stories are included, and each story is about a different character quality. The beginning of the story starts with the character quality and a definition of the character quality.
For example, one story is about patience. The definition is “waiting with a happy heart,” and the scripture reference is Galations 6:9 “and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not“. The character traits covered are: obedience, patience, honesty, gratefulness, responsibility, respectfulness, initiative, diligence, kindness, contentment, and deference (sharing).
While Crossroads of Character is aimed at the preschool set, my eight-year old enjoys listening as well. The stories are enjoyable to read and have cute pictures to go along. My children have really loved this book and it has helped me to teach them specific godly character traits. What I love about this book is that it gives young children something concrete to remember and apply regarding character.
For example, the story about patience is about a brother and sister excited to do something special with their cousins, but they have to finish their schoolwork first. This requires them to have patience, to “wait with a happy heart.” Memorizing this definition of patience with my five-year-old has been helpful in circumstances where he needs to wait for something patiently. I will ask him “Are you waiting with a happy heart?”, and this often helps him make the wise choice.
The Boyers also have a new preschool curriculum, Character Concepts, which is an extention of the Crossroads of Character book. This curriculum focuses on teaching preschoolers scripture and godly character. It is divided into 12 units, one unit for each character quality. Each unit is completed over a period of three weeks. During this three weeks the character is reinforced through history stories (using Uncle Ricks History Stories for Children CD), Bible stories and scripture memory, and includes fun hands-on activities as well! The unit also covers alphabet and writing, with the option of adding in other subjects, such as science. This could definitely be used as a rich year-long prechool curriculum, but would also work as a character curriculum for a wider span of ages.
Yeah! Now onto the giveaway! Marilyn Boyer has graciously given me a complete Character Concepts for Preschooler curriculum to give to one of you! This includes:
Crossroads of Character: Learning to Make Wise Choices
History for Preschoolers CD
Learning ABC`s with the Cousins Flashcards
Hands-on Character Building
Mom`s Guide: (“Supplies you with information to effectively teach your preschoolers for a full 36 week period. Patterns are given for seasonal and educational crafts. Suggestions are made for family fun trips to help make learning fun ,and as a bonus, over 30 recipes are included for fun food to make with your preschooler.”
To enter: Leave a comment. 🙂
Additional entries:
1. Visit The Learning Parent and leave a comment telling me of one other Boyer product you have enjoyed or would like to try.
2. Blog about this giveaway.
Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. 🙂
The giveaway will end Friday, August 19th and the winner will be chosen at random.
Also, You can use the code CHARACTER2 to receive a 20% off coupon at The Learning Parent!
-Beth
1 Aug
I Have a Button!
I’m so excited! My daughter Emma made a button for the blog! Here it is….
I think she did a great job! Thanks, Emma! Now if I could just figure out how to create a “grab my button” code box for it….?? I really am kind of tech-challenged… 🙂
-Beth
23 Jul
Acorns and Oaks 