This month in Character Foundations, St. Johns' innovative character education program, Spartans of all ages are learning about and putting into practice initiative, which is defined as seeing what needs to be done and doing it. Here are some ways you can reinforce Initiative lessons at home, including helping younger Spartans to Say It, Know It, See It, and Be It.
SAY IT:
Initiative means seeing what needs to be done and doing it.
KNOW IT:
Parents, ask your children:
- Describe a time you solved a problem on your own.
- Ask yourself, are you good at coming up with solutions to problems?
- Have you ever heard of the phrase “go getter”? Discuss this analogy with your teacher at school or your parents at home. Ask them what things you could do to earn this title.
Kids, ask a grown up:
- How do you show initiative at home or at work?
- What are some examples of showing initiative at home or in your relationships with others? What are some things that you do regularly to show initiative?
SEE IT:
The year 2020 saw many private citizens, organizations, and charities across the world helping others. People across the globe pitched in to conquer the constantly evolving problems associated with the coronavirus pandemic. We witnessed people sewing masks and donating them and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to medical offices and hospitals. We witnessed organizations take donations to local food banks to feed those in need. We witnessed people donate their blood to help scientists study the way the virus affected individuals. First responders stepped up in a big way to help keep people healthy and safe. The year was a trying time, certainly one that won’t ever be forgotten; however, it was a great testimony to the way in which humankind saw a great need and did something about it.
BE IT:
As a family, sit down and discuss things that need to be done at home. What are some needs in the family? Examples might include home improvements, cleaning out closets and donating old clothes and shoes, fixing car issues, resolving relationship issues, etc. Make a goal each week to identify a need and do something about it. Come to the table once the week is finished and discuss ways that each member demonstrated initiative.
READ IT:
Here are some recommended books that reinforce the lessons in Initiative:
Lower School:
- The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade by Justin Roberts (Preschool-Grade 1)
- The Scarecrow’s Hat by Ken Brown (Preschool-Grade 2)
- The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Philemon Sturges (Preschool-Grade 2)
- Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell (Grades K-3)
- Ron’s Big Mission by Rose Blue (Grades K-3)
- Arthur’s Pet Business by Marc Brown (Grades K-3)
- Time to Get Started: A Story About Learning to Take Initiative by Bryan Smith (Grades K-3)
- Alice & Gert by Helaine Becker (Grades K-3)
- A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams (Grades K-3)
- We Are the Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom (Grades K-5)
- Usha and the Stolen Sun by Bree Gailbraith (Grades K-5)
- Bear Goes Sugaring by Maxwell Eaton (Grades K-5)
- Imogene’s Last Stand by Candace Fleming (Grades 2-5)
Middle & Upper School:
- Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (Grades 6+)
- The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine (Grades 6+)
- Nothing by Janne Teller (Grades 7+)
- The Lord of Opium by Farmer (Grades 7+)
- The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (Grades 7+)
- Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden (Grades 8+)
- She is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgewick (Grades 8+)
- Please Ignore Vera Dietz by King (Grades 9+)
- I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai (Grades 9+)
- Character Foundations