The Little Book of Values

Educating Children to become Thinking, Responsible and Caring Citizens

Julie Duckworth, Ian Gilbert

• Publisher: Crown House Publishing
• Year: 2009
• Print ISBN: 9781845901356
• eBook ISBN: 9781845904319
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Education General

The Little Book of Values explores twenty-two values that can be taught through schools and indeed the whole community. The book will inspire you by using examples of where values are being used by children and adults in schools already and shares practical tools to stimulate discussion and philosophical debate. It will also help people to take stock of their own values and how they wish to lead their.

THE VALUES

appreciation • noun 1 recognition of the value or significance of something. 2 gratitude. 3 a favourable written assessment of a person or their work. 4 increase in monetary value.

This is what the children say appreciation is:

Showing our gratitude and thanks

Showing each other that we care

Being grateful for everything our parents give us; not only presents but their time and love

Having friendships and co-operating with others

Valuing other people’s ideas

Thinking about others e.g. neighbours who may need our help

Holidays and visiting new places

Respecting everyone for their individual skills and qualities

Knowing we have clean water, fresh food and clothes every day, unlike some children in our world

Being thankful for wildlife and supporting charities like the Born Free Foundation that protects endangered species

Having a home

Telling our teachers we know how hard they work and that they want the best for us. We will do our best to show our appreciation

Knowing that our childhood and education is precious to us and we must value it

Living every moment as happily as we can.

Think about who cares for you and all of the people who contribute to your life. How do you show your appreciation? It is often a simple smile, a hug or a word of thanks that is enough to show someone you appreciate them.

Appreciation in action

One of our curricular projects on World War II involves linking our Year 6 pupils with elderly people living in local sheltered accommodation. Once a week the children sit huddled in a small group around one of the elderly residents. The pupils are prepared with questions to ask, such as ‘Were there toilets in the Anderson shelter?’ and, ‘What advice would you give the young people today about "make do and mend"?’ The children listen attentively to the stories and anecdotes as though they are experiencing the memories themselves, and record the responses in detail using various media. The old folk are gracious in sharing their memories, forming the basis for a project which engages both age groups in a learning journey and also develops mutual appreciation and understanding across a 70-year age gap which blossoms into friendship based on respect.

These ideas grew out of a wonderful experience I had in my first headship when one of the first incidents of challenging behaviour I had to deal with concerned a Year 4 pupil we shall call Luke. Although he was a boy with huge potential, Luke lacked motivation to learn due to difficult circumstances at home, and was on a cycle of exclusions from school. I worked very hard with Luke, applying the principles of Values Education, showing him that someone cared and wanted the best for him and truly believed in him. Eventually Luke settled into a better learning pattern and we also liaised with his parents to help them in developing trusting relationships with each other and their children. In Year 6, Luke became involved in a World War II project that involved visiting elderly members of the community to learn about their experiences. Luke and some of his friends were known as troublemakers in the village where he lived, having been involved in low-level vandalism and disruptive conduct, incurring antisocial behaviour orders, and some of the elderly people were a little intimidated by them. So it was no surprise that they were sceptical about the motives of these particular pupils coming into their homes.

However, the visits went ahead and Luke struck up a special friendship with a naval veteran called Dennis. Every week, memorabilia from World War II would be brought out and shared with the children. Luke listened intently to Dennis’ tales of his time in the navy and enjoyed hearing stories about how he had also been a bit of a rogue in h...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Foreword
• The Values of Values
• The Values
• The Values Toolbox
• Bibliography