Hello readers and thank you for stopping by my blog Be The Difference. I am a children’s book author and mother to three young children. I am dedicated to spreading the important messages in my books to children around the world. I strive to make a difference in my own home by spending time teaching my children character traits using age appropriate activities and quality children’s literature. I am sharing these lessons with you, week-by-week so that you can do the same. Let’s provide our children with tools they can use when they go out into the world and face difficult situations. Let’s give them a chance to grow up to be Problem Solvers! I would love to connect with you and continue this conversation—please see links at the bottom of this post— Maria Dismondy
What is Courage?
The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.
From www.thefreedictionary.com
Book I am using with this lesson:
How I used this book to teach the trait Courage
I think one of the hardest parts of growing up is learning to have difficult conversations. In this story, Carly no longer wants Lily Jean to boss her around. Her sister Sandy stood up to Lily Jean for her sister. That took a lot of courage! Both sisters forgave Lily Jean too, that also is an act of courage!
Synopsis: Carly always played with her big sister, Sandy. They played dragons and knights. They played explorers and pirates. They played mountain climbers and astronauts. Then Lily Jean moved in next door. Carly and Sandy are happy to have a new friend join their games. But Lily Jean changes everything. She decides they’ll play house and orders Carly to be the baby. When they play king and queen, she tells Carly to bark–King Lily Jean demands a royal dog! Tired of being bossed around, Carly comes up with a way to teach Lily a lesson. With Sandy’s help, can she turn a bully into a friend?
Book: Read or listen to the book with your child.
Discuss: Talk with your child about the word COURAGE means and together, come up with some examples in your own lives. How was Lily Jean being mean to Carly? What did Carly do to show courage? What did Sandy do to show courage?
Craft: Making the connection between COURAGE and superheroes is one that children can understand. Remind them that kids can have courage to do super things just like superheroes do!
You can find a few fun superhero crafts here.
Activity: You can connect this lesson on Courage to a cooking activity. Make superhero pancakes!
Product I’ve created to go along with this lesson:
Video to teach courage-Portraits of Courage
Music to inspire and teach this trait: Brave by Sara Baraellis
To find out more about how you can teach character to your students or children:
https://www.pinterest.com/mariadismondy/character-development/
Learn more about the #TakingCareThurs initiative here: http://journaloflaura.weebly.com/what-is-takingcarethurs.html
Continue this conversation on character by joining our Private Facebook Group here https://mariadismondy.com/resources/
Visit my TeachersPayTeacher Store to see products to help support character education: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Be-The-Difference