We have 3 sections of our monthly co-op meeting

1. Oral Presentations – Show ‘n Tell for the younger kids, Report or Speech for the older ones.
2. Character Instruction – we divide into two groups to focus on a concept and then come together to learn a poem about the applications of the trait.
3. One hour where the kids either experience or learn something –sometimes in age-based groups, sometimes all together.

My favourite part of the co-op is the conversation I get to have with the older group as we discuss the Character trait.  I use questions to prompt discussions and scenarios, often they suggest, to help them see the point of my lesson.

This month our character trait was self control, and my lesson was on the need for self control when we feel angry.  I wanted them to know two main points

1. There is no grading scale for anger – you can kick and slam the door or you can say sharp words in frustration – it is all an expression of anger.
2. Anger doesn’t solve anything – though we can use it to recognize there is a problem

I used my Character Notes for my background notes.