Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

Menu
  • Home
  • About
      • About Amazing Catechists
      • Patron Saint of Amazing Catechists
      • Donations
  • Topics
      • Art
      • Campus Ministry
      • Catechetics
      • Catechism
      • Catechist Training
      • Catholic Spirituality
      • Church Documents
      • Columnists
      • Culture
      • Elementary School
      • Evangelization
      • Family Life
      • Featured
      • Games
      • General
      • Grief Resources
      • High School
      • Homeschooling
      • Liturgical
      • Mary
      • Middle School
      • Music
      • New Age
      • NFP/Chastity
      • Prayer
      • RCIA & Adult Ed
      • Reader Suggestions
      • Sacraments
      • Scripture
      • Special Needs
      • Spiritual Warfare
      • Technology
      • Theology
      • Therapeutic
      • Video
      • Vocations
  • Contributors
      • Alice Gunther
      • Amanda Woodiel
      • Cay Gibson
      • Christian LeBlanc
      • Christopher Smith
      • Deanna Bartalini
      • Dorian Speed
      • Elizabeth Ficocelli
      • Elizabeth Tichvon
      • Ellen Gable Hrkach
      • Faith Writer
      • Father Juan R. Velez
      • Gabe Garnica
      • Jeannie Ewing
      • Jennifer Fitz
      • Justin Combs
      • Karee Santos
      • Lisa Mladinich
      • Marc Cardaronella
      • Maria Rivera
      • Mary Ellen Barrett
      • Mary Lou Rosien
      • Maureen Smith
      • Msgr. Robert Batule
      • Msgr. Charles Pope
      • Pat Gohn
      • Peggy Clores
      • Robyn Lee
      • Rocco Fortunato
      • Sarah Reinhard
      • Steve McVey
      • Tanja Cilia
      • William O’Leary
      • Alex Basile
  • Shop
  • Contact us
  • Columnists

PACE: This Virtue Resource is Outstanding!

By William O'Leary

Have you looked at various virtue resources as an educator or a parent and found good things but wish you could find an all-in-one virtue/character education resource?  Well Monica Speach, Author of Program for Achieving Character  Education: For Catholic Schools and Homes has written an all-in-one resource.  She believes the missing link to all the character education programs is faith.  She says in her introduction: “Character Education based on the firm foundation of faith is the best – and only- way to teach virtuous behavior.”

What I’m most impressed with regarding this resource is the comprehensive nature of it and how valuable of a resource it will be for any school, religious education program or homeschool family to use.  In each chapter (which focuses on a particular virtue) it includes the following components:

  1. Quotations regarding that virtue by the saints
  2. A Definition of the Virtue
  3. Stories by grade level Kindergarten – 6th Grade (the stories are recommended from William Bennett’s two books: Book of Virtues and The Moral Compass.
  4. Bible Passages (Over 20 for each virtue)
  5. Mary and the Saints – each chapter gives a prayer or meditation in this section and a list of saints who were faithful in this virtue and those who struggled, at periods in their life, with that virtue.
  6. Book Recommendations – each grade level has about 6 to 10 book recommendations.
  7. Discussion Topics – over 20 questions to engage students in the virtue.
  8. Writing Assignments – over 20 suggestions on how to use/incorporate each virtue in a writing assignment which ranges from something that could be an english/handwriting assignment to a kind act of writing a card to someone.
  9. Enrichment Activities – These activities are divided up into suggestions under the headings of 1) Music 2) Art 3) Nature and 4) General Activities.
  10. How to Practice This Virtue  – Over 20 recommendations on how to practice the virtue.

This is truly a comprehensive virtues/character education program which provides everything all in one place.  But, there is more!  She has a workbook grades K-6th providing multiple assignments for each week (Monday – Friday).  For example, in the 4th Grade Workbook under the virtue of Self-Discipline it provides 4 weeks worth of assignments.  Week One has Monday: Quotation and asks the student to read the 6th quote on page 2 of the PACE manual and copy it in the space below and then ask the student answer the following question: What do you think St. Francis de Sales means by “inner peace?” Write down a few thoughts about this. (Use complete sentences in your answers.) and on Tuesday it focuses on the Definition and asks the students to “Read the definition of “Self-discipline” on page 3 of your PACE manual in the spaces below, write down healthy habits that can help you be a disciplined person. (Example: exercise, study hard, etc.) Then write down habits that can be harmful to you in your efforts to be a disciplined person.  The second part of Tuesday asks the students to read from a selection of 3 books and reflect upon it.

 

This resource is truly amazing and is a great way to help children grow in holiness, character and virtue.  I highly recommend Monica Speach’s Character Education Program. For more information you can reach her at m.monica.speach@gmail.com. Also check out this website for more details and to order it.

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

If you make a purchase via a link on this site, we may receive a small commission. There will be no added cost to you. Thank you!

Read all posts by William O'Leary Filed Under: Featured, Resources

About William O'Leary

I've been sharing the faith since I was in high school and I have been a catechist in one form or another since 1991. I received my BA and MA in Theology from Franciscan University and am currently working on my PhD in Catechetics. I have a passion for passing on the Catholic Faith. I am currently the Director of Religious Formation for a parish of approximately 3400 households. Catechist Formation is a joy and passion of mine because I love the opportunity to share with others what I know and what I've learned. I pray that together we catechize the next generation of students so they may come to know and love Jesus Christ and His Church more and more! Check out my blog @ https://relevantcatechesis.com.

Search

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Sign up for our Newsletter!

Join our email list and get immediate access to the free guide 'High Impact Lesson & Classroom Management Tips'.

Help us to serve the Church by patronizing our affiliates.

FTC Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, we may receive a small commission. There will be no added cost to you. Thank you!

Sock Religious

That One Sheep Shirts

That One Sheep Shirts

Stickers

Stickers

The Catholic Store

Catholic Bibles

Catholic Bibles

catholic-jewelry

Catholic Religious Jewelry

Holy Heroes

holy-heroes

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2023 Amazing Catechists. · Log in