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Hi Ladies!
We're currently doing level 4/5 for my 9 yo and 6/7/8 for my 11 year old. They're both very strong independent readers. I'd like to do the project where they set goals to help them grow in the character traits learned in that unit. We just finished the biography genre. For my 9 yo dd, the character traits would be responsibility, diligence, and initiative. For my 11 year old, they're the same, with the addition of cautiousness. I'm stumped for measurable goals in these areas, and I know my girls won't be able to come up with these on their own. Can anyone give some ideas, please? I just LOVE the idea of incorporating this into their daily life and REALLY want to do this, but I'm stuck. Thanks!

Annette

I love the Godly Character Traits projects in DITHOR too! They've actually impacted our lives in many positive ways. I remember for responsibility my ds chose to keep his room picked up each day, and we set a handful of specific guidelines that had to be met each day. (This eventually became his room check chart we still use today. ) One time he set a goal to be more diligent in playing with his little brother, so he set a goal to play 30 minutes with him each day. (This is also something we then added to our day. ) For initiative, I remember he chose to try to get better about "seeing work on his own", rather than waiting to be told to do something. I told him he could say, "Mom, I see some work has to be done here, and I am going to ________". He raked the lawn, took out the diaper pail garbage, brought up a gallon of milk when we were running out, etc. I then knew it was something for his DITHOR project without having to really discuss it. These are just a few ideas - have fun making your goals!

In Christ,
Julie

Annette,

I'm so glad that you are getting a chance to use and enjoy DITHR! We just finished this project a week ago, and my 6th grade son chose to be responsible by watching over my 4 year old for 30 minutes each day as they played together (without arguing or doing anything too wild). For initiative, he chose to pick up his room each time before he leaves it (so in the morning when he comes down to start his day), in the afternoon (after his quiet time), and in the evening (before bed). We do require our boys' rooms to be clean during these times anyway, but I often must remind my son and recheck to be sure it is done. So, his initiative goal was to do it on his own without being asked.

The reward he chose was to bake his favorite kind of peanut butter bars with me and share them with the family! Yum!

Blessings,
Carrie