Children’s Literature-Based Unit for Building Character · • The Berenstain Bears Lend a...

Character Unit - Compassion A Sick Day for Amos McGee © Enjoy the Learning Journey

Questions and Answers

What is a Children’s Literature Based Unit for Building Character and what is the purpose?

A children’s picture book with main or supporting characters who display strong character traits (or a book with a message related to a particular trait) is introduced. After you read the book with your child, together you will: identify and discuss the character trait(s), read or memorize relevant Bible verses, read additional books related to the theme, build vocabulary by discussing or writing down unknown words, and complete activities in order to strengthen their character muscles. You and your child will have an opportunity to work together to build strong character, and who knows, you might get as much out of it as your child!

How is this unit beneficial for my child and my family?

Our character determines how we respond to situations and circumstances in life. As parents, we want to build strong character traits in our children so that when they are faced with various situations and circumstances they know how to respond in a God-honoring manner. We want to give them the best tools possible to lead a life of success with Jesus at the center. This is also an opportunity for you to read quality literature with your child and spend time with them. Don’t stress about getting everything completed but rather do only as much as you have time for and will be beneficial for your family.

What results can I expect from doing this?

This is an opportunity for us to give our children the information, the experiences and the tools necessary to set them up for a God-honoring life. It is not a fool-proof way for us to get our children to respond to situations and life circumstances in the way we think they should nor is it a way to change their heart. Only God has the ability to change our child’s heart, not us, but we can do the important work of praying for them and providing them with some tools.

Is this just for homeschoolers?

No, it’s for everyone! Both homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers, can use the literature-based units for building character. It can be added into your evening routine, used on the weekends or any other time that works best for your family.

What is the age range for these units?

Approximately 3-8 years old, but you can certainly use it with younger or older children.

Do I have to buy the book?

You can either purchase the book or borrow it from your local library. However, in order to work through the unit you will need the book. The supplementary books are optional.

Children’s Literature-Based Unit for Building Character


Process for Working Through the Unit

You can take between a week and a month (or more) to work through the unit,

it’s totally up to you!

Read:

1. Read A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead

2. Repeat reading 3-5x

3. Read supplementary books

Explore:

1. Discuss story

2. Discuss character trait(s)

3. Review Bible verses

4. Examine vocabulary words

Action:

1. Complete follow-up activities

2. Memorize Bible verses

Pray:

1. Pray for your children

2. Pray with your children

3. Pray together for others

Share:

1. What did you learn?

2. What are you going to do?

3. What questions do you have?

Children’s Literature-Based Unit for Building Character

COMPASSION

eadR

Read A SickDay for Amos

McGee

xploreE

ctionA

rayP

hareS

ReadSupplementary

BooksRepeat

Reading2-5x

DiscussStory

DiscussCharacterTrait(s)

ReviewBible

Verses

ExamineVocabulary

Words

MemorizeBible

Verse(s)

CompleteFollow-upActivities

Pray FORYour

ChildrenPray WITH

YourChildren

PrayTogether

for Others

Whatdid youlearn?

What areyou going

to do?What

questions doyou have?

A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE

Character Unit Process Map

© Enjoy the Learning JourneyA Sick Day for Amos McGeeCharacter Unit - Compassion


Questions to Prompt Discussion:

These questions are meant to prompt discussion between you and your child as you further explore the story and what compassion means. You can use some or all of these questions as you talk with your child, or feel free to come up with your own. Younger children may need more help understanding the concept of compassion so use whatever words or examples you know they can relate to.

Discussing the Story:

• Who is Amos McGee and what is his job?

• What do you think is important to Amos? Why do you think that?

• What happens to Amos?

• How did Amos’ friends feel when he doesn’t show up for work and what did they do?

• How did the friends help Amos?

• How does the story end?

• For older kids, you may just want to ask them to tell you what happens in the story (retell the story) rather

than ask all of the above questions.

• How would you describe the characters in the story?

• How does the story make you feel?

Discussing Compassion:

• What is compassion? It’s a feeling of deep sympathy or sorrow for another who is stricken with misfortune, accompanied by the strong desire to alleviate the suffering. In other words, noticing someone who is hurting and wanting to help them.

• Why is showing compassion important?

• Is compassion a feeling or an action (or both)?

• What can we do to show compassion for others?

• How did Amos McGee’s friends show compassion?

• What if Amos’ friends had been concerned and felt bad for him but hadn’t come to his house or stayed with

him? How would that have been different?

A Sick Day for Amos McGee


Books to Further Explore Compassion:

These books are supplementary and can be read together to further explore compassion with your child.

• The Teddy Bear by David McPhail

• South by Patrick McDonnell

• Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson

• Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan

• How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham

• Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo

• Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts

• The Birdman by Veronika Martenova Charles

• A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams

• One Hen by Katie Smith Milway

• The Berenstain Bears Lend a Helping Hand by Stan & Jan Berenstain

• The Berenstain Bears Think of Those in Need by Stan & Jan Berenstain

• The Holy Bible - Luke 10: 25-37 - The Story of the Good Samaritan - You can read the Bible verses together and/or

- Read your favorite children’s storybook Bible version and/or

- Read versions of the story, such as The Good Samaritan by Mary Berendes or Parable of

the Good Samaritan by Helen Caswell

Compassion


Bible Verses about Compassion:

These Bible verses about God’s compassion and our call to be compassionate towards others can be read together, discussed, written down and/or memorized.

Matthew 14:14 - And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

Matthew 18:33 - Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’

Matthew 20:34 - So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

Mark 6:34 - And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

Luke 7:13 - When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”

Galatians 6:2 - Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

Psalm 86:15 - But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

Psalm 112:4 - Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

Psalm 145:8 -The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Compassion


Building Vocabulary:

Part of the fun of reading books together with our children is the opportunity to discuss new words and ideas as they come up. However, if you are like me, sometimes it can be challenging to think of relatable words to describe the meaning in a way our children will understand.

A visual representation can be extremely helpful, especially for younger kids. Find a photo on the internet, show them an object or provide a demonstration and act it out! This may give your child the information they need to make the connection. To confirm they understand, you can have them describe it in their own words, give you an example or draw a picture.

A vocabulary journal can be very helpful for older children as they use a children’s dictionary, student dictionary or a good old-fashioned dictionary to write the definition. Older kids might also benefit from drawing a picture to support their written definition.

The following words from the story may be unknown to your child. I included words from the story that the youngest children may not be familiar with. Older children will certainly know the meaning of some of these. Since you know your child best, you can choose which words to spend time discussing.

You can keep this as informal as you’d like, either just briefly discussing the word or following up in some way.

Vocabulary Words:

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

• Clanged

• Swapped

• Fresh-pressed

• Uniform

• Amble

• Chess

• Handkerchief

• Chills

• Achy

• Arranged

• Polished

• Prepared

• Limbered

• Allergies


Follow-up Activities to Show Compassion:

You, as the parent, have the opportunity to model compassion by caring for your child when they are sick, by having them see you care for others, volunteering your time and giving to those in need. As a busy mom, your time and energy is limited so only do what you can and don’t stress about having to do more. Include your child in what you are doing, and if that’s not possible then talk to them about it.

Here are some ideas of ways your child can show compassion. You can share all of the ideas with your child or just choose a few to suggest to them. Either way, you can allow them to have a say in how they’d like to care for someone in need.

Suggestions:

• Write a special note or make a special drawing and give it to someone in the hospital or a nursing

home.

• Help make a meal or cookies for someone who is hurting and take it to them.

• Do something kind for a friend who is sad - share a special toy, give them a hug, or do something

silly to make them laugh.

• Invite someone who looks lonely to play (on the playground or at the park). Remember to ask

Mom’s permission first.

• Put together as many shoeboxes as you can for Operation Christmas Child (it’s never too early to

start!). Talk about the children who might receive the boxes and pray for them.

• Save up your money to sponsor your first child or an additional child through Compassion

International.

• Write a special note or make a special drawing and send it to encourage a child you are sponsoring.

• Collect food, coats or other items and donate them through a local organization to children in need.

• Participate in a charity walk.

Compassion

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