Character Builders: Books and Activities for Character Education (Through Children's Literature) [Paperback]

Liz Knowles (Author), Martha Smith (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1591583705 | ISBN-13: 978-1591583707 | Publication Date: July 30, 2006 | Edition: annotated edition

This book by well-known authors Liz Knowles and Martha Smith (Boys and Literacy, Reading Rules!, etc.) fills the need for a K-12 resource for teachers and librarians searching for materials and activity ideas for character education at all grade levels. It consists of 12 chapters—one on each virtue: empathy, respect, courage, humor, responsibility, perseverance, loyalty, honesty, cooperation, tolerance, citizenship, and forgiveness. Each chapter has a listing of related virtues, a definition, several useful famous quotes, listings of people and organizations who have demonstrated the virtue, related topics for further curricular exploration and discussion questions. There is also a complete listing of annotated titles divided into five sections: picture books, primary (gr. 1-3), intermediate (gr. 3-5), middle school (gr. 5-8) and young adult (gr. 8-12).

This book by well-known authors Liz Knowles and Martha Smith (Boys and Literacy, Reading Rules!, etc.) fills the need for a K-12 resource for teachers and librarians searching for materials and activity ideas at all grade levels. It consists of 12 chapters—one on each virtue: empathy, respect, courage, humor, responsibility, perseverance, loyalty, honesty, cooperation, tolerance, citizenship, and forgiveness. Each chapter has a listing of related virtues, a definition, several useful famous quotes, listings of people and organizations who have demonstrated the virtue, related topics for further curricular exploration and discussion questions. There is also a complete listing of annotated titles divided into five sections: picture books, primary (gr. 1-3), intermediate (gr. 3-5), middle school (gr. 5-8) and young adult (gr. 8-12). In addition, Knowles and Smith offer lists of other good professional books and Web sites to consult in building your school's character education program. A unique feature of this book is a section in each chapter called, in action in which the authors offer ideas to share with students such as Empathy in action: Be polite in the cafeteria, Be kind and helpful to those with mental and physical challenges, Share your supplies with those who have none. Grades K-12.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Two media specialists at a Florida school recommend 600 books for every grade level that teach empathy, respect, courage, responsibility, perseverance, loyalty, honesty, cooperation, tolerance, citizenship, and forgiveness. The bibliographic entries summarize the plot of each book and are arranged into picture books, grades 1-3, grades 4-6, middle school, and young adult. Most of the titles are relatively recent works."

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Reference & Research Book News

"With the adoption of a character education program by many school districts, teacher-librarians need lists of recommended resources and activity ideas provided by reputable sources, Liw Knowles and Martha Smith who wrote the well-regarded Boys and Literacy and Literacy Rules!, fill this need with this comprehensive resource, which is suitable for both elementary school and high school….[t]he authors provide lists of professional books and web sites to consult in building a character education collection to support this program. Highly recommended. This book is a must-buy if your school has a character education program. If your school does not have a character education program, this well-researched, well-organized, and well-written book is a useful collection development tool that will assist in selecting books on these themes."

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Teacher Librarian

Book Description

This new book by well-known authors Liz Knowles and Martha Smith (Boys and Literacy, Reading Rules, etc) fills the need for a K-12 resource for teachers and librarians searching for materials and activity ideas to teach character education at all grade levels.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited; annotated edition edition (July 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591583705
• ISBN-13: 978-1591583707
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

LIZ KNOWLES, from Greenwich, Connecticut, received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Central Connecticut State University, a master's degree in Reading from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and an Ed.D. in Curriculum Development and Systemic Change, also from Nova Southeastern University. Liz has been an elementary teacher, grades K-6, for 30 years. She has also been an adjunct professor, teaching graduate courses in reading, at Florida Atlantic University. She has served as Director of Professional Development and Curriculum for both campuses (Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton) of Pine Crest School in Florida. Liz currently has a consulting business, "21st Century Curriculum Designs." She has co-authored 8 rteacher resource books with Martha Smith, a media specialist, and currently Liz is writing her second solo title, "A Digital Future for Learning."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Character Builders: Books and Activities, August 4, 2009

By 

Kristin Nitz "NutBugs" (Calif) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Character Builders: Books and Activities for Character Education (Through Children's Literature) (Paperback)

Love this book! I am very intent on teaching my children good character through literature. This book has a fantastic list of books to go along with each character trait as well as they are divided by age grouping. On top of that they give you a list of what the character trait looks like in action and a list of famous people who live that trait. The only thing that is missing is bible verses to go with it. But if you are not a christian and just want to give your children a good literature based character training, then this books is perfect for you too. For the Christians who wants Bible verses...Strongs! I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE!