Picture Book Character Education Program

“Ready-Set-Grow”: A Character Ed. Pre-K Program

(teaching LIFE SKILLS through children’s literature)

September	*RESPONSIBILITY	*Being dependable as I carry out a task carefully and kindly. I do what I am supposed to do.
	1.  I Know and Follow the Rules	“Know & Follow Rules” by Cheri J. Meiners
	2:  I Am Kind & Friendly	“Let’s Work Together” & “Friends” by Little World Social Skills*
	3:  I Listen and I Follow my Teachers	“Listen and Learn”  by C. J. Meiners
	4:  I Am a Good Worker and Helper	“Responsibility” by LWSS*
October	*RESPECT & MANNERS	*Caring for and thinking about others' feelings before I act. I follow the “Golden Rule”.
	1:  I Share and Wait for My Turn	“Share and Take Turns” by C. J. Meiners
	2:  I Use Good Manners at Home and in Public	“May I Please?” by LWSS*
	3:  I Accept & Value Each Person	“Accept and Value Each Person” by C. J. Meiners
	4:  I Take Good Care of the Classroom	“Respect and Take Care of Things” by C. J. Meiners
November	*GRATITUDE	*Feeling thankful for something or for someone.
	1:  I am Grateful for This Beautiful World	“Thankful” by Eileen Spinelli
	2:  I am Grateful for my Family and Friends	“The Relatives Came” by Cynthia Rylant
	3:  Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks	“Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks” by M. Sutherland
	4:  Thanksgiving Break
December	*SERVICE & GIVING (Generosity)	*Thinking of others and being generous (giving).
	1:  I Give “of Myself” to Others	“Reach Out and Give” by C. J. Meiners
	2:  I Give Gifts to Others to Show I Care	“The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein
	3:  Christmas is About Giving	*Christmas Stories
	4.  Christmas Break
January	*HONESTY & TELLING THE TRUTH	*Doing what I say you will do and doing what is right.
	1:  I am Honest and Tell the Truth	“Be Honest and Tell the Truth”  by C. J. Meiners
	2:  I Make a Mistakes, I Admit It & Try to Improve	“Integrity” by LWSS*
	3:  I Do Not Steal, Cheat or Act Sneaky	“Honesty” by LWSS*
	4:  I am Reliable— I do what I say I’ll do	“Pigs” by Robert Munsch
February	*COMPASSION & LOVE	*Understanding the hurt other’s feel and caring for them.
	1:  I Can “Work Things Out”	“Talk and Work it Out” by C. J. Meiners
	2:  I Have Empathy for Other People’s Feelings	“Understand and Care” by C. J. Meiners
	3:  I am Polite and Kind to Others	“Be Polite and Kind” by C. J. Meiners
	4:  I Can Forgive and Let Go of Upsets	“Forgive and Let Go” – BBM Series
March	*SELF-CONTROL	*Controlling my thoughts, feelings and actions.  Thinking before I act—considering the consequences.
	1:  I am in Charge of my Emotions and Feelings	“Cool Down and Work Through Anger”  by C. J. Meiners
	2:  I am in Charge of Taking Care of Me	“Be Careful and Stay Safe”!  by C. J. Meiners
	3:  I Can Overcome My Fears	“When I Feel Afraid”  by C. J. Meiners
	4:  I Have Healthy Habits	“Grow Strong” by BBM Series
April	*EXCELLENCE	*Being the best I can be.
	1:  I Have Self-Confidence!  I Like Me!	“Feel Confident” by BBM Series
	2:  I Can Solve Problems	“Problem Solving” by LWSS
	3:  I am the Best “ME” I Can Be	“Stand Tall” – BBM Series
	4:  Mistakes Help Me to Grow	“Where the Wild Things Grow” by Mercer Mayer
May	*PERSEVERANCE	*Working hard to finish something without giving up.
	1:  I Finish What I Start (Determination)	“Try and Stick With It”  by Cheri J. Meiners
	2:  I Work Through Difficulties	“Bounce Back!” by BBM Series
	3:  PRESCHOOL GRADUATION WEEK	No Lesson
	4:  I “Try, Fail, Try, Fail, Try,…SUCCEED”!	“The Little Engine that Could” by Wattie Piper
	*SUMMER:  2 lessons a month only
June	*COURAGE	*Being brave and doing something I believe is right, even when I feel afraid.
	1:  I Have the Courage to Do the Right Thing	“Have Courage” by BBS Series
	2:  I Join in and Play, Even When I am Afraid	“Join in and Play” by Cheri J. Meiners
July	*CITIZENSHIP	*Doing my share to make my school and community better.  Being a good neighbor.  Obeying laws and rules.  Respecting authority.  Protecting the environment.
	1:  I am Loyal to my Family, Friends and Community	“How to Lose All Your Friends” by Nancy Carlson
	2:  I Protect the Environment – Recycle, Reuse, Restore	“Being Responsible” (Citizenship) by Cassie Mayer
August	*HOPE	*Believing in something expected or that something good will come to pass.
	1:  Be Cheerful and Positive	“Be Positive” BBM Series; “Look on the Bright Side” by LWSS
	2:  Look at the Possibilities and Dream Big!!!	“Dream On!” BBM Series
Other Resources	Songs, Poems & Rhymes	Other Picture Books or Literature
SEPTEMBER	*RESPONSIBILITY	*Being dependable as you carry out a task carefully and kindly. I do what I am supposed to do.
	“Quickly I’ll Obey” p. 197 “Do As I’m Doing” – (“act out” making good       choices, following the rules…etc.) “Kindness Begins with Me” p. 145 “When We’re Helping” p. 198b	“The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister “The Little Red Hen” – any version “No David”; “David Goes to School”; “David Gets in Trouble” by David Shannon “I Just Forgot” by Mercer Mayer “The Enormous Carrot” by Vladimir Vagin
OCTOBER	*RESPECT & MANNERS	*Caring for and thinking about others' feelings before you act. I follow the “Golden Rule”.
Teach the Golden Rule:  “Do unto others what you would have others do unto you.”	“Where is Thumbkin?” (shows polite greetings) “We Are Different” p. 263 “I’ll Walk with You” 1st vs. p. 140 “Hello Friends” p. 254A (switch 1st & 2nd lines to: “Hello friends it’s nice to say, Hello on this Preschool day.” Sing the rest as written.)	“Mine” by Leo Lionni “The Napping House” by Audrey Wood “Should I Share My Ice Cream”?  by Mo Willems “Waiting is NOT Easy” by Mo Willems  “The Berenstain Bears Show Some Respect”  by Jan Berenstain “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse”  by Kevin Henkes “Pigsty” by Mark Teague
NOVEMBER	*GRATITUDE	*Feeling thankful for something or for someone.
“The World Is So Lovely” 1: The world is so lovely! I’m glad as can be. For mountains  & rivers, Created for me. 2: The sunshine, the flowers, the stars up above.  A home where I live and a family I love.	“I am Glad for Many Things” “I’m Thankful to Be Me” p. 11 “I Think the World Is Glorious” p. 230 (2 vs.) “Grandmother” p. 200 “When Grandpa Comes” p. 201	“Being Thankful” (Mercer Mayer's Little Critter) by M. Mayer “The Thankful Book” by Todd Parr “The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks” by Stan Berenstain “The Best Part of the Day” by Sarah Ban Breathnach “The Thank You Book” by Mo Willems
DECEMBER	*SERVICE & GIVING (GENEROSITY)	*Thinking of others and being generous (giving).
	“A Happy Helper” p. 197A vs. 1 & 2 “When We’re Helping” p. 198B “Give, Said the Little Stream”	“The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving ” by Jan Berenstain “The Mitten Tree”  by Candace Christiansen “My Most Favorite Thing” by Nicola Moon “The Elves and the Shoemaker”  by Jim Lamarche “The Gardener” by Sarah Stewart “Christmas Oranges” by Linda Bethers and Ben Sowards
JANUARY	*HONESTY & TELLING THE TRUTH	*Doing what I say you will do and doing what is right.
	“I Believe in Being Honest” p. 149 (first 4 lines)	“It’s Not My Fault” by Nancy Carlson  “It’s True” by Mercer Mayer “A Big Fat Enormous Lie” by Marjorie W. Sharmat “Franklin Fibs” a Franklin book “The Empty Pot” by Demi
FEBRUARY	*COMPASSION & LOVE	*Understanding the hurt other’s feel and wanting to do something about it!  Caring and being fair.
	“A Happy Family” p.	“When You Are Happy” by Eileen Spinelli “Where the Wild Things Are” by Mercer Mayer (Caldecott) “The Lion & the Mouse” by Jerry Pinkney                  “                 “A Sick Day for Amos McGee” by Philip Stead (Caldecott) “A Chair for my Mother” by Vera B. Williams         “
MARCH	*SELF-CONTROL	*Controlling your thoughts, feelings and actions. Think before you act—consider the consequences.
	“Brush Your Teeth” – When you wake up in... “If You’re Happy and You Know It”	“The Way I Feel”  by Janan Cain “When I Was Little: A Four-Year-Old's Memoir…” by J. Lee Curtis  “Never Talk to Strangers” “Wimberley Worried” by Kevin Henkes “The Pigeon Needs a Bath” by Mo Willems “Owl Babies” by Martin Waddell
APRIL	*EXELLENCE	*Being the best you can be.
	“I am Like a Star” p. 163 last line sing: “I want to be the BEST I can be!”	“I Like Myself” by Karen Beaumont “Chrysanthemem” by Kevin Henkes “I’m Gonna Like Me” (Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem) by J. Lee Curtis “The Dot” by Peter Reynolds “The Foolish Turtle” by Eric Carle
MAY	*PERSERVERENCE	*Working hard to finish something without giving up.
		“The Carrot Seed” by Ruth Krauss “Can I Play Too?”  by Mo Willems “It’s Hard to Be Five:  Learning How to Work My… by J. Curtis “A Chair for my Mother” by Vera B. Williams “Leo the Late Bloomer” by Leo Lionelli  “Stuck” by Oliver Jeffers “Whistle for Willy” by Ezra Jack Keates
JUNE	*COURAGE	*Doing something you think is right, even when you feel afraid.
		“My Brave Year of Firsts: Tries, Sighs, and…” by J. Lee Curtis “Sheila Rae, the Brave” by Kevin Henkes “The Little Yellow Leaf” by Carin Berger “Mirette on the High Wire” by Emily McCully (Caldecott Medal) “Brave Irene” by William Steig “I’m Brave” by Kate McMullah
JULY	*CITIZENSHIP	*Doing your share to make your school and community better.  Being a good neighbor.  Obeying laws and rules.  Protecting the environment.
	“My Flag, My Flag” p. 225 “Pioneer Children” p. 214 “Oxcart” p. 219	“City Green”  by DyAnne Disalvo-Ryan “We Live Here Too! Kids Talk About Good Citizenship” by N. Loewen  “Duck for President” by Doreen Cronin “What If Everybody Did That?” by Ellen Javernick
AUGUST	*HOPE	*Believing in something expected or that something will come to pass.
	“I am Like a Star” p. 163 last line sing: I want to be the BEST I can be!	“Mathew’s Dream”  Leo Lionni “Time of Wonder” by Robert McCloskey “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by M. Rosen “Flotsam” by David Wiesner “The Pout, Pout Fish” by Deborah Diesen

Board Book Series: by Elizabeth Verdick

TEACHERS:  Use these books as you see the need, throughout the year, to teach specific character traits and good behavior to your children.

Best Behavior Board Books

Germs Are Not for Sharing © 2006 ISBN 978-1-57542-196-8

Words Are Not for Hurting © 2004 ISBN 978-1-57542-155-0

Feet Are Not for Kicking © 2004 ISBN 978-1-57542-158-5

Teeth Are Not for Biting © 2003 ISBN 978-1-57542-128-3

Voices Are Not for Yelling © 2015 ISBN 978-1-57542-500-9

Toddler Tools Board Books

Mealtime © 2011 ISBN 978-1-57542-366-9

Calm-Down Time © 2010 ISzBN 978-1-57542-316-2

Manners Time © 2009 ISBN 978-1-57542-313-8

Sharing Time © 2009 ISBN 978-1-57542-314-6

Clean-Up Time © 2008 ISBN 978-1-57542-298-0

Bye-Bye Time © 2008 ISBN 978-1-57542-299-9

Naptime © 2008 ISBN 978-1-57542-300-6

Listening Time © 2008 ISBN 978-1-57542-301-4

Learning to Get Along Series by Cheri J. Meiners

Our Learning to Get Along series helps children learn, understand, and practice basic social and emotional skills. Real-life scenarios, lots of diversity, and captivating illustrations make these read-aloud books perfect for home and childcare settings, as well as schools and special education settings. Each book ends with a section of discussion questions, games, and activities adults can use to reinforce what children have learned. Select titles are also available in bilingual Spanish-English editions.

·         Accept and Value Each Person

·         Be Careful and Stay Safe

·         Be Honest and Tell the Truth

·         Be Polite and Kind

·         Cool Down and Work Through Anger

·         Join In and Play

·         Know and Follow Rules

·         Listen and Learn

·         Reach Out and Give

·         Respect and Take Care of Things

·         Share and Take Turns

·         Talk and Work It Out

·         Try and Stick with It

·         Understand and Care

·         When I Feel Afraid

Being the Best Me! Series   Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed.  

NEW! Grow Strong!

Help children learn to take care of their bodies and develop lifelong habits of self-care.

           

Dream On!

Help children strengthen their imaginations, think about the future, and work toward goals.

           

Forgive and Let Go!

Foster forgiveness and acceptance in young children.

           

Stand Tall!

Help children develop integrity and learn to do the right thing—even when it isn’t easy.

           

Bounce Back!

Encourage resilience and perseverance in young children.

           

Have Courage!

Help children develop assertiveness and personal strength.

           

Feel Confident!

Foster children’s confidence and decision-making skills.

           

Be Positive! 

Help young children learn the skills and attitudes of optimism