We Choose Virtues

 

We Choose Virtues recently sent the TOS Crew a package in the mail with some handy little tools for encouraging virtuous behavior. The Virtue Clue Cards (currently priced at $5.99). This is a set of business-sized cards, one for each of 12 virtues, intended for use with children ages pre-K through elementary.

• Diligent
• Helpful
• Obedient
• Perseverant
• Gentle
• Content
• Attentive
• Honest
• Self-Controlled
• Forgiving
• Kind
• Patient

Every card has a cute character on the front with a declaration of the what the virtue might look like in real life, as well as the converse. For instance, the "Attentive" card featured above says

I am Attentive

I watch and listen carefully

I am NOT forgetful, distracted 

or distracting and I don't 

ignore or interrupt

The back of the card carries the instruction: Choose to go the whole day without someone needing to remind you "Listen!" or "Don't forget!" Airplane Betty Jane knows you can do it! 

These are quick little lessons in what this set of virtues looks like in real life, with simple clues on how to incorporate each one (or see if it is recognizable) in our lives at home.

I appreciate the direct and to-the-point approach that can reduce the need for a "lecture" for my olders (Really, just directing their attention to a particular card gets the point across), and I can see that the alliterative connection between the characters and their virtues may make it easier for my youngest to learn a catchphrase that will help him work on virtuous behavior (For him, learning that first little bit "I am Attentive  ~  I watch and listen carefully" is just the right amount).

I am planning to make it through the stack, with an emphasis on one character trait/virtue per week. Diligent and Kind have been in focus, but I need to decide where to go next. That is where this little handy tool comes in~ The Family Character Assessment is a checklist tool that is offered as a free download. This is a helpful tool to pinpoint virtues that might need a little work for each member of the family. I have my own personal set that I can fill out for each family member to give me a goal for each one(Privately, not for general knowledge), but I also intend to have my eldest (at least) use this as a private growth tool. Learning to honestly assess strengths and weaknesses is a great lesson! 

We were also given access to a pdf file of the Teacher's Handbook($4.95 pdf, $15 print copy). The handbook covers "4 Steps for teaching virtues" as well as detailed instructions on incorporating the We Choose Virtues products into the school-year. Personally, I found the handbook to be much more geared to a classroom setting, and less helpful for a homeschool situation, although there were a few ideas  that I could glean. 

The final "Tool" we were provided with was The Kids of Virtueville Coloring Book ($3 download only). These are nicely illustrated pages of each "Character" and their accompanying Virtue. Pleasant little product to have to work in conjunction with the Clue Cards, particularly if you have children who love their crayons, pencils, etc. I have some children who enjoy coloring during read-aloud time, and I can see these provoking some Character discussions from our literature. ( For instance, reading Charlotte's Web, you could ask "Did any of the characters show diligence?"  "How?" "Why do you think this was easy/hard?", etc...)


We Choose Virtues also offers posters, stickers, journals, flashcards and more. You can check out their Homeschool section, and the Clearance section. Visitors to their facebook page  will find tips on parenting, leadership, and inspiring virtues. 

SPECIALS:

JANUARY/FEBRUARY-The 100 Days of Virtue Poster and Stickers will be included FREE with any Homeschool Kit purchase during these months. 

PROMO CODES

You can use only ONE at a time. 

• VIRTUE15 for 15 % off the shopping cart is still available
• SHIPFREE for free worldwide shipping

As always, I hope that this review was useful to you as you choose where best to spend your homeschool budget. For other opinions, please visit the TOS Crew Blog, and check out the Mr. Linky list of reviews.
Blessings~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this/these item(s)/service for free as part of the TOS Crew Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."