4's Curriculum
Joyful Heart Character

(Biblical character traits and
sequential early reading activities
for 4-6 year olds)

Goals

• To recognize, make connections with, and practice godly character traits
  as found in the Bible
• To play and manipulate the sounds of language (phonemic awareness)
• To make connections between print and sounds (phonics)
• To develop a growing sense of accomplishment as they read and write
  using CVC words and sight words, both in and out of context
• To enjoy the rereading of favorite, predictable story books

• Overview of the Lessons
• Planning
• Activities to Use with Joyful Heart Character Lessons

Bible and Character
   Literacy
   Math
   Science
   Exercises

• Resource Books
• Other Resources for Teaching Four Year Olds

An Overview of the Lessons

The Joyful Heart Character Curriculum continues the learning from the Joyful Heart Bible and Rhyme Curriculum.  There are a total of 38 planned weekly lessons in the Joyful Heart Character Curriculum, designed to be used during a typical school calendar year (August through May).  Each weekly lesson, listed below,  is based on a character trait.  One character trait is studied each week and is discussed through Bible stories and related verses from the Bible.  A related children's story book will be read and examined for the same or opposite character trait as well.  Review weeks are built in to allow for review of all aspects of the curriculum and to build in opportunities to work with seasonal concepts and activities.

 Children should have a firm grasp of  letter recognition and know most of the corresponding letter sounds before beginning.  Each weekly lesson will have a focus letter for review, introduce a new sight word, and introduce or review a short vowel word family. The reading portion of the lessons build upon one another and should be used sequentially.

First Semester Scope and Sequence
Second Semester Scope and Sequence

Joyful Heart Character Planning Sheet
 

First Semester

Lesson Character Trait 1 Introduction to Godly Character Traits 2 Introduction to Godly Character Traits 3 Attentive 4 Obedient 5 Content 6 Forgiving 7 Honest 8 Patient 9 Loving 10 Orderly 11 Respectful 12 Courageous 13 Servant Hearted 14 Responsible 15 Compassionate 16 Thankful 17 Self Controlled 18 Teachable 19 Generous 20 Humble

Second Semester

Lesson Character Trait 21 Prayerful 22 Modest 23 Joyful 24 Patient 25 Kind 26 Loving 27 Dilligent 28 Faithful 29 Full of Faith 30 Content 31 Attentive 32 Peacemaker 33 Orderly 34 Servant Hearted 35 Obedient 36 Discerning 37 Self Controlled 38 Review of Godly Character Traits

Resource Books

Bible and Character Traits

• A Child's Book of Character Building: Growing Up in God's World- At Home, at School, at Play (Book 1) by Ron and Rebekah Coriell.  Fleming H. Revel Company: 1981. ISBN 0-8007-5494-8
• For Instruction in Righteousness : A Topical Reference Guide for Biblical Child Training by Pam Forster. Doorposts: 1993 (revised 1995).  ISBN 1-891206-07-9
• What Every Child Should Know Along the Way by Gail Martin. Growing Families International: 2000. ISBN 1-883035-53-8
• Praying the Scripture for Your Children by Jodie Berndt.  Zondervan:  2001. ISBN 0310232163

Beginning Reading and Decoding Skills:

• Alphabet Rhymes: Reproducible Rhyme Books by Jean Warren. Totline Publications: 1998.  ISBN 1-57029-277-9
• Now I'm Reading for Beginning Readers: Animal Antics (Level 1 set) by Nora Gaydos. Innovative Kids: 2003. ISBN 1-58476-159-8
• Now I'm Reading for Beginning Readers: Playful Pals (Level 1 set) by Nora Gaydos. Innovative Kids: 2003. ISBN
• BOB books

Math:

• Count On Math: Activities for Small Hands and Lively Minds by Pam Schiiler and Lynne Peterson. Gryphon House: 1997. ISBN 0876591888
• Calendar Binder - Kindergarten teacher Jessica Meacham shares her original idea for Calendar Binders. Lots of photos, free printables, and explanations here!

Phonemic Awareness:

• Phonemic Awareness: Playing with Sounds to Strengthen Beginning Reading Skills by Jo Fitzpatrick. Creative Teaching Press: 1997.  ISBN 1574712344
• Phonemic Awareness: Listening Activities to Develop Pre- Reading Skills by Hildi Kang.  Fearon Teacher Aids: 1997. ISBN 1564179443
• Phonemic Awareness Activities for Early Reading Success by Wiley Blevins. Scholastic: 1997.  ISBN 0590372319
• Phonemic Awareness Songs and Rhymes by Kimberly Jordano and Trisha Calella-Jones. Creative Teaching Press: 1998. (There are three books in this series  – Fall, Winter, and Spring)
• Phonemic Awareness Ideas - from PALS

Science:

• Let's Read and Find Out Science Series Levels 1 and 2

Other Resources for Teaching Four Year Olds

Ages and Stages - Four Year Olds

Brightly Beaming Resources - Letter of the Week Curriculum by Katrina Lybbert

Before Five in a Row by Jane Claire Lambert

Preschool and Kindergarten Guidelines - free printable assessments and even a report card for 4's Preschool! Check out the rest of this website by Cindy Downes if you are considering homeschooling beyond Pre-K!