Building an Ark - Our Seventh-day Adventist homeschool and family life
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The Morning Meeting

Between 3 and 5 years old, you can start a super special time in the day, called Morning Meeting. During our morning meeting (which I admit currently usually takes place before our evening Family Huddle time), I take time to train my children in character and cooperation. We are following the Core Virtues(c) monthly character training program and the Positive Discipline tools for child training. Below, I want to keep track of what we do, so when we rotate again I have ideas that I like to use or can recommend. The morning meeting is my most important class of the day! It really helps us all get along and treat each other better.

Morning Meeting Agenda

  1. Fun I-Love-You Ritual
  2. Positive Discipline Training (if needed)
  3. Core Virtue of the Month
    1. Recite definition
    2. Recite memory verse
    3. Read a theme-based story (we focus on biographies)
  4. Prayer

Fun I-love-You Rituals

Handshakes and Signs
Energizers
Cooperative Games
Handshakes and Signs
We love fun handshakes at our house. They are a positive, active start to morning meeting.
We have also enjoyed making up our own special love hand signs. 
  • Hi/Bye Fly! - Number 2 on fingers, then wiggle them up and down like Black Soldier Fly antennae.
  • Monarch Heart - Cross thumbs, palms facing self, wiggle fingers for wings. Says, "I love you."
  • Palm Writing - Draw a heart in the palm (I love you), 2 dots and lines (crying - I'm sorry, sad), 2 dots and smile (happy, OK), drag 2 fingers from open to close (let's play or do something together) 
Energizers
  • Popcorn - Crouch in circle. Everyone sizzles (sssss) till breath runs out, then jumps up and says, "Pop!"
Cooperative Games
How to Say I'm Sorry
  • I’m sorry for…(be specific about the misdeed)
  • This is wrong because… (describe how it affects others)
  • In the future, I will…(describe how to handle the situation differently)
  • Is there something else I can do right now to make things right? (work it out)
  • Will you forgive me?

Core Virtues Yearly Cycle

Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
March
April
May
June
July
Aug.

Holiness - Purity - Zeal

NOTE: This month's virtues are not included the Core Virtues(c) program.
Sept.

Respect - Responsibility - Friendship

Oct.

Diligence - Self-control and Self-discipline - Perseverance

Year 1: Diligence
  • Definition: See Core Virtues(c)
  • Memory Verse: Galatians 6:9
  • Proverbs 6:6-8 - Those who are lazy can learn a lot from the ant.
  • Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker - Katherine Johnson became a mathematician who calculated the flight path for NASA's first moon landing. Proverbs 22:29
  • Six Dots: A Story of Louis Braille by Jen Bryant - Louis Braille at a tender age invented an alphabet that the blind could read by touch. Galatians 6:9
  • Seeker of Knowledge: The Man who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs by James Rumford - Jean Francois Champollion vows and never gives up till he deciphered the ancient Egyptian form of writing. Proverbs 1:7; 2 Timothy 2:15
  • Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller by Doreen Rappaport - With the help of her diligent teacher, Helen Keller learned to communicate and read. Then she became a tireless advocate against injustice. 2 Peter 1:10
  • The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau by Michelle Markel - Henri Rousseau started late to become a self-taught artist. He did not give up to get the respect that he felt his art deserved.
Year 2: Self-Control and Self-Discipline
Year 3: Perseverance
  • Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin  (also being true to oneself)
Nov.

Gratitude - Wonder - Stewardship

Gratitude
  • Definition: Gratitude is being thankful for the gift of life and the gifts of life (Copyright CoreVirtues.net)
  • Memory Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:34
  • Read biographies of people who created inventions or secured rights we should be grateful for.
    • Willis Carver invented air conditioning.
    • Alexander Flemming discovered penicillin.
    • Johannes Gutenburg invented the printing press.
    • Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor By Emily Arnold McCully
    • Leonardo and the Flying Boy by Laurence Anholt (not my favorite)
    • The Real McCoy: The Life of an African-American Inventor by Wendy Towle
    • The Wondrous Whirligig: The Wright Brothers First Flying Machine by Andrew Glass
  • The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera
Dec.

Generosity - Charity - Service

Generosity
  • Definition: Generosity is giving without thinking of getting (Copyright CoreVirtues.net)
  • Memory Verse: John 3:16; 1 Timothy 6:17-19
  • Bible Stories
    • Acts 20:32-35 - Paul helps the churches
    • Luke 21:1-4 - Widow's Mites
  • Biographies about Generosity
    • The House that Jane (Addams) Built by Tanya Lee Stone
  • The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera
  • Thank You, Omu by Oge Mora
  • Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming (based on true story)
Jan.

Courage

  • Definition: Courage is doing what is right in the face of fear (Copyright CoreVirtues.net)
  • Memory Verse: Joshua 1:9
  • Bible Stories on Courage:
    • Moses at the Burning Bush
    • David and Goliath
    • Esther Approaches the King
  • Biographies about Courage:
    • Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford
    • Susan B. Anthony by Alexandra Wallner
    • Jack's Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy by Doreen Rappaport
    • Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine, and a Miracle by Brian Dennis
    • Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle
    • Gittel's Journey: An Ellis Island Story by Leslea Newman
Feb.

Honesty and Justice - Loyalty - Love of Country

Honesty and Justice

  • Definition: Honesty is truthfulness: loving the truth, telling the truth,and living truthfully in word and deed. Justice is giving the other his or her due. Justice is making a space for the rights and needs of others. (Copyright CoreVirtues.net)
  • Memory Verse: Revelation 15:3
  • Bible Stories on Honesty and Justice:
    • Zaccheus (Luke 19)
    • Esther 
    • Peter Denies Jesus

March

Compassion - Faithfulness - Mercy

April

Forgiveness - Graciousness and Courtesy - Gentleness and Humility

May

Hope - Wonder - Joy

June

Heroism - Lives to Learn From - Wisdom

July

Peace - Contentment - Unity

NOTE: This month's virtues are not included the Core Virtues(c) program.
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