We have just finished book 1 of a Child’s Book of Character Building and will take a break before continuing to book 2. It is a very quick lesson each day and we have all enjoyed it, although I am starting to think my oldest is near being too old for it at 8 years old. But we will still continue. If you are looking to buy book 2, look for other older editions that are less expensive, since it is oop.
How we used the book: On a five day week, we used this book on days 1, 3, and 5 for two weeks a total of 6 lessons per chapter. It takes only 5-10 minutes since it is only a one page story. There is an intro. page with definition and memory verse and 4 stories and a last page with additional Scripture and/or activities as “Challenges”, making 6 lessons. On day one, I put a notecard in our Scripture Memory Box with the recommended memory verse and on the back of the card I wrote the character trait and definition, for review. I first read the verse straight from the Bible and not the Character book, so they would know the source. Then we discussed it in a personal way. The next days were spent on one story each day and doing the last page of Challenges on the last day. We discussed the story after I read it each day and how the characters demonstrated the character trait we were learning. We spent about two weeks on one chapter. I didn’t want to go too fast, so they could really comprehend it. The best thing about this book was outside of the classroom when I would catch someone demonstrating that character and would point it out to them, or would tell them how they were NOT demonstrating it and how they could, etc. After two weeks of the memory verse in the daily, they knew it well enough to move to even/odd and learn the new one on the next chapter. This is what worked well for our family.
Scripture Memory System:
http://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/memorysys/
Memory verses are included in verse pack 1:
http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/scmguide/scripture/
and new free downloads are here:
http://simplycharlottemason.com/store/scripture-memory-verse-cards/
And on the days 2 and 4, I read a chapter out of one of the Millers books, Prudence and the Millers.
