This month's Character Foundations trait is Hope, which is defined as believing that something good can come out of something bad. St. Johns students of all ages will be learning about and putting into practice lessons around Hope. Read on to learn how you can help reinforce these lessons at home.
Say It
Parents, help your child remember the definition of Hope: Believing that something good can come out of something bad.
Know It
Parents, ask your child:
- Can you think of a time when something bad happened to you or someone you love? How did you react? Were you able to think positively and have hope?
- Who is someone that you know who is a hopeful person? What are some things that they do or say that suggest they have hope?
Kids, ask a grown up:
- Describe a time when it was difficult to believe that something good was going to come out of something bad. Is it hard to keep hope sometimes?
- How do you keep a positive attitude when bad things happen?
- How does it feel to believe something good can come out of something bad?
See It
During the Coronavirus pandemic many people suffered financially, physically, emotionally, etc. Organizations and individuals from all over the world felt the call to instill hope in others and they set out to help. Feeding America is one such organization that stepped up and vowed to continue to serve communities despite the pandemic by providing food to the hungry. Watch this video and discuss ways that you might contribute to your local food bank to end hunger.
Be It
This month, volunteer at your nearest Red Cross. This nonprofit organization helps individuals and families affected by disasters such as fires and hurricanes. There are many ways to volunteer including donating blood or assisting with a blood drive, installing free smoke alarms and helping out after a disaster strikes. Your family will not only serve as a source of hope for people, but you may also witness a renewed hope in the people that you serve.
Read About It
You can reinforce lessons about hope by reading about it at home, or by helping your child access books about hope to read on their own. Here are some ideas:
Lower School:
- When Edgar Met Cecil by Kevin Luthardt (Grades PreK-K)
- Charlotte and the Rock by Stephen W. Martin (Grades PreK-2)
- Mrs. McBee in Room 3 by Gretchen Brandenburg McLellan (Grades K-3)
- The Blue House by Pheobe Wahl (Grades K-3)
- Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood (Grades K-3)
- City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems (Grades K-3)
- Home in the Woods by Eliza Wheeler (Grades K-5)
- We Will Live in this Forest Again by Gianna Marino (Grades K-5)
- Ten Beautiful Things by Molly Beth Griffin (Grades K-5)
- Wemberley Worried by Kevin Henkes (Grades K-5)
- The Birdman by Veronica Charles (Grades K-5)
- Yard Sale by Eve Bunting (Grades K-5)
- A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina’s Dream by Kristy Dempsey (Grades 1-5)
- Green City: How One Community Survived a Tornado and Rebuilt for a Sustainable Future by Alan Drummond (Grades 1-5)
- The Journey by Francesca Sanna (Grades 1-5)
- The Quiet Place by Sarah Stewart (Grades 1-5)
- The Blessing Cup by Patricia Polacco (Grades 2-5)
- Rechenka’s Eggs by Patricia Polacco (Grades 2-5)
- The Rough Patch by Brian Lies (Grades 2-5)
- Flowers for Sarajevo by John McCucheon (Grades 3-5)
- A Place Inside of Me by Zetta Elliott (Grades 3-5)
Middle & Upper School:
- Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate (Grades 6+)
- Boy 21 by Matthew Quick (Grades 6+)
- The Red Tree by Shaun Tan (Grades 6+)
- The Fire Eaters by David Almond (Grades 7+)
- This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales (Grades 7+)
- Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (Grades 8+)
- Darius and Twig by Walter Dean Myers (Grades 9+)
- Where She Went by Gayle Forman (Grades 9+)
- Something Like Hope by Shawn Goodman (Grades 9+)