Building Your Own Curriculum With Books (And Songs) For Children And Youth 3.0
Secular Values and Virtues
Sometimes Bad Things Happen by Ellen Jackson. Brookfield, CN: Milbrook Press. 2002.
This book is designed to help children (ages 4 – 8) cope with "bad things" that occur in their everyday lives and to allow them to explore their feelings of sadness, fear, anger, etc. The author reassures youngsters that while "a few people do bad things," most people "want to make the world a better place for everyone." Older children also could use this book as a springboard for talking about their experiences and ways to handle them positively. Younger children will find comfort in expressing their own sadness and looking for a happier outcome.
It's Up to You, What Do You Do? by Sandra McLeod Humphrey. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 1999
From ages six through elementary and junior high school, young people are continuously exposed to questions of personal values; their responses help to develop those unique virtues that govern their actions for years to come. The 25 anecdotes in this book offer challenging situations involving school-age children who must make their own life choices.
If You Had to Choose, What Would You Do? by Sandra McLeod Humphrey. Amherst, NY: Prometheus, 1995.
The 25 situations presented in this book and the thought-provoking questions at the end of each story can serve as a valuable foundation to help parents and teachers talk with children about important moral and social issues. This book will guide children through everyday problems and instill in them a sense of responsibility for their own actions. See also her 2003 book More If You Had to Choose, What Would You Do? for more scenarios.
What Do You Stand For? For Teens: A Guide To Building Character by Barbara A. Lewis. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing. 2005.
This compendium of ideas, activities, and resources helps young people explore who they are and develop positive traits such as caring, good citizenship, empathy, respect, peacefulness, and responsibility.
Character Building Day by Day: 180 Quick Read-Alouds for Elementary School and Home by Anne D. Mather and Louise B. Weldon. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing. 2006.
Intended for grades 3 and 4, the book includes 180 character vignettes grouped by trait. Each features children in real-life situations making decisions that reflect their character. Each can be used as starting points for discussion.
How To Behave And Why by Munro Leaf. New York: Rizzoli/Universe International Publications. Republished in 2002.
First published in 1946, Munro Leaf's book gives touchingly sincere yet gently funny lessons in Honesty, Fairness, Strength, and Wisdom. Originally intended for the very young, but with meaning for us all, the book is a true classic, illustrated with childlike drawings and with a timeless message.
Hey, Little Ant. Story and song by Phillip and Hannah Hoose [Posing the eternal question: “to squish or not to squish”]. Berkeley,CA: Ten Speed Press.1998.
In 1992, Phillip Hoose and his daughter Hannah, then nine, wrote a musical conversation between an ant about to get flattened and the child about to squish it. It ended with the question, "What do you think that kid should do?" Their popular recording of the song "Hey Little Ant" led to the story's publication as a children's picture book in 1998. Now the ant and the child – and their shared dilemma – are known by parents, children and educators throughout the world.
Six books for younger children on Secular Values and Virtues
Honesty:
The Empty Pot by Demi, Hitz Demi (Illustrator). New York, Macmillan/ Henry Holt and Co., 1996.
When Ping admits that he is the only child in China unable to grow a flower from the seeds distributed by the Emperor, he is rewarded for his honesty
Sharing:
Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, New York: North-South Books, 1992.
This book tells the story of the vain, lonely Rainbow Fish who relinquishes his pride and gives away almost all of his special shiny scales to gain friends.
Equality
Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. 2001.
By using simple, direct language -- much of it King's -- the text offers young readers an accessible yet profound introduction to King's legacy. It explains that as a child, he listened to his father's "big words" and vowed to inspire others with such words when he grew up.
Abundance
The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell. New York: Little, Brown Young Readers, 2005.
The problem of Mooch the cat is what to give his best friend, Earl, who has everything. How he solves the problem is pure delight, reminding young readers that the greatest gift is friendship, not things.
Self-esteem
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell. New York: Scholastic Book Services, 2001.
Even when the class bully at her new school makes fun of her, Molly remembers what her grandmother told her and she feels good about herself.
Life Purpose
The Three Questions by Jon J. Muth (an adaptation of a short story by Tolstoy). New York: Scholastic Press, 2002.
Nikolai asks his animal friends to help him answer three important questions: "When is the best time to do things?" "Who is the most important?" and "What is the right thing to do?" To answer these questions is to know how to be a good person.