Our Virtue Lesson About Courage
A Unit Study to Help Young Catholics Learn About Being Courageous
The Lesson
This lesson celebrates the virtue of courage and is intended to help Catholic kids practice and live their faith in a real way. It is designed to be used daily, over the course of a month. With a weekly core lesson, daily reinforcement with scripture discussions, prayer, and the incentive progress sheets, children learn quickly how to recognize and begin practicing the virtue of courage. Additional worksheets and activities extend the learning fun.
This unit focuses on topics such as fortitude is the gift of the Holy Spirit, Guardian Angels, social justice, and ways to ease fear.
Unit Summary
Grade Level: K-6
Age: 6-10
Focus: Virtue Lesson Unit Study
Theme: Courage (Fortitude)
Step 1. Download the Lesson Packet
This small packet contains the teacher info as well as the main lesson and activity sheets needed for students.
Step 2. Download the Support Materials
With a goal of training young learners to develop habits to form and live virtuous lives, we focus on the virtue of courage also called fortitude. This unit study helps to meet this goal by incorporating a variety of fun and engaging components. Each is listed below along with additional support materials to accompany and extend each lesson component.
Aesop’s Fables Materials
Aesop’s Fables provide simple but effective use of short stories to teach morality.
This unit study incorporates the use of moral tales. These short fables by Aesop highlight the work of Milo Winter, and they are used in weeks two and three of this unit study. This resource has an over-sized text and a color image, which make it appealing to young readers. Excellent discussions can occur with such simple stories. Sometimes the stories selected can fit into other virtues as well as the one presented. Feel free to use them repeatedly.
Although most morals are relatively clear-cut, there are a few stories that require thought as to their selection and inclusion in this unit study. Sometimes it is because they provide a positive example of the highlighted virtue, other times it is because they are a negative or contrary example of the virtue. Having older learners come up with a reason for why the fable was selected is a great exercise and can even be turned into a simple writing assignment. Writing paper featuring the thematic image for this particular virtue is provided. For younger students, trace copywork reiterating the moral is offered in both print and cursive styles for reinforcement.
Some of the materials below are already included in the unit study, while others are just fun additions.
Download the Aesop Materials Below.
Share Aesop's Fable: The Sheep and the Pig. Enjoy a printable version of this timeless fable from Aesop designed to help teach lessons in virtuous behavior and morality. This resource has large text and a color image, which makes it appealing...
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Focus on the moral truth from Aesop's Fable of the Sheep and the Pig. Find two copywork sheets in this Aesop Copywork Set for the Sheep and the Pig. There is one to trace in cursive and the other in manuscript. A generous writing area has been...
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Aesop’s Fables Montessori Cards Set 1 for Kids Playing, reading and moral training don't usually go together, but they do in the case of our Aesop’s Fables Montessori Cards Set 1. Use these cards to help children explore, ponder, and remember...
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Present Aesop's Fable: The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox. Enjoy a printable version of this timeless fable from Aesop designed to help teach a lesson in virtuous behavior and morality. This resource has larger text and a color image, which makes...
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Focus on the moral truth with the Aesop Copywork Set for the Lion, the Ass, and the Fox. Find two copywork sheets in this set. There is one to trace in cursive and the other in manuscript. A generous writing area has been provided as well as an...
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Kids Can Have Fun Using the Aesop’s Fables Montessori Cards Set 17. Use these cards to help children explore, ponder, and remember all the great moral teachings from Aesop in The Aesop for Children, Illustrated by Milo Winter. Montessori cards...
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Scripture Suggestions for the Virtue of Courage
“For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he spoke with them, and said to them: Have a good heart, it is I, fear ye not.” – Mark 6:50
“Take courage therefore, and be very valiant: that thou mayst observe and do all the law, which Moses my servant hath commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayst understand all things which thou dost.” – Joshua 1:7
“I can do all these things in him who strengtheneth me.” – Philippians 4:13
“Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good.” – Romans 12:21
Additional Passages:
Deuteronomy 31:7
Joshua 1:9
Psalm 23:1-6
Isaiah 41:10
1 Maccabees 2:64
Mark 6:50
John 16:33
1 Corinthians 16:13
Philippians 2:12-14
The quotes and references provided above are taken from the Douay-Rheims version of the Holy Bible.
Ideas for Studying Scripture Using This Unit Study
Choose a favorite scripture passage about courage and bravery from your own collection or the selection above to discuss with students. You may wish to use a passage for copywork or handwriting practice. Writing Paper is provided featuring the thematic image for this particular virtue.
Alternately, students may be encouraged to study about the virtue of courage with a fun, hands-on activity F3 (Flip, Flap, Fold) Tab Booklet. Learners cut out tabbed pieces, arrange them in order, and staple to finish construction. Students can then write in the book. The scripture notation is written on the tabbed edge, and the body of the text is written on the piece. Children may copy a Bible verse presented by the teacher featuring this virtue, or they may give a narration of a favorite verse they may have studied previously.
This tabbed F3 piece can accommodate up to five different scripture passages. Versions are provided in black-and-white as well as color and feature the thematic image used throughout the unit study. Finished books can be glued into a notebook or blank F3 Folder.
Read our article with pictures on How to Assemble an F3 Bible Verse Piece.
Make Scripture Study About the Virtue of Courage a Hands-On Activity with Our Bible Verse F3 Piece. This little F3 (Flip, Flap, Fold) Piece encourages Bible study about courage. Learners cut out tabbed pieces, arrange them in order, and staple...
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Virtue of Courage Writing Paper Prompts Thoughts About Being Courageous. This writing sheet has just the right amount of cuteness to draw young writers to share their thoughts about courage and bravery. It includes a black-and-white and color...
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Reading Activities and The Book List
Select a book from the list below to read to or with your students to help them see some examples of this virtue in action. Each title incorporates or focuses on the virtue of courage in some way – either in the theme, plot or through a specific character. Some characters will provide a positive example of the virtue while other characters seem to lack the virtue at times.
Don’t forget that picture books are great for any age group and present ideas very clearly. Children can use the “Reading Log Bookmark” included in this unit to help them keep track of their reading.
Use the “Dr. Virtue’s Discussion Questions” cards included in the unit study to help learners make connections between the stories and the virtue being studied. Older learners may enjoy being led in a book discussion using the question cards as prompts. Alternately, cards may be dispensed to students to answer on their own as a writing assignment or proof of learning.
Some learners may enjoy doing a book report or review about a specific book. Use one of our fun templates below to guide young readers or new writers.
Look through the selection of reading suggestions below. Feel free to use other titles as well.
Picture Books That Can Teach About Courage
Doctor De Soto by William Steig
Brave Brush-tail Possum by Diane Redfield Massie
Franklin’s New Friend by Paulette Bourgeois
Little Toot by Hardie Gramatky
The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day by Stan and Jan Berenstain
The Courage of Sara Noble by Alice Dalgliesh
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Joan of Arc by Shana Corey
Franklin in the Dark by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark
Chapter Books That Can Teach About Courage
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien
The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Parables from Nature by Mrs. Alfred Gatty
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
Other Books That Can Teach About Courage
The Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett
Download the Additional Reading Aids Below.
Help Young Catholics to Learn About Courage as They Track Their Reading Progress. Young readers can easily keep track of the books they read with this fun bookmark that reinforces the virtue of courage. With each completed book or story, readers...
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Simple Book Review Helps Children Explore Reading and Sharing Their Opinions with Others Do you have a learner who likes giving their opinions about anything and everything? You could easily use that to your advantage with this simple book review....
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This Recipe Book Report Brings Smiles and Fun to Literature Exploration. Do you have a child who likes to cook? Are you looking for something completely different to use to pick apart your child's favorite read? Look no further. This fun Recipe...
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This Six-Page Blank Detailed Book Report Is Ready Fun for Beginning Readers and Writers. Many times when we think of book reports, we think of something stale, cut and dry. Perhaps we envision something full of research, or something, dare I...
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Saint Study
Saint study is important. This is why we have incorporated it into this unit study. Every saint uniquely encounters Christ. From living simply to doing pious works, shepherding the Church to evangelizing to the nations, the saints followed a path to our Lord. We, too, can follow a path to Christ by studying their lives. When kids learn about the holy heroes of the Faith, they can feel encouraged to grow in a variety of virtues, including courage (fortitude). Help children to better understand the virtue of courage by learning about St. Joan of Arc, the patron saint of France and soldiers. The What Can St. Joan of Arc Teach Me About Courage Worksheet is included in the lesson packet to help guide students on a simple study of this saint.
Below are some fun and creative ways to incorporate the study of St. Joan of Arc into this virtue lesson.
Teach Young Catholics About Being Brave with Our Virtue Lesson About Courage Unit Study. Our Virtue Lesson...
Use Our Saint Joan of Arc Double-Sided Saint Trading Card to Introduce Young Catholics to a Young Martyr. This...
Celebrate Using the St. Joan of Arc Cupcake Topper! Create a simple, quick St. Joan of Arc Cupcake...
Help Young Catholics to Learn About St. Joan of Arc. Encourage children to learn about this young,...
Create a Booth for an All Saints’ Day Party That Features St. Joan of Arc, the Patron Saint of Soldiers...
Encourage Children to Learn About the Saints. Help children learn some of the symbols of popular...
Help Young Catholics to Learn About Courage as They Track Their Reading Progress. Young readers...
Discover the Virtue of Courage by Studying About St. Joan of Arc. Help children learn about tolerance...
Put Up a St. Joan of Arc Poster in Your Classroom or Learning Environment. This single sheet St....
Teach Children About One of the Cardinal Virtues with the That Virtue Lesson on Fortitude. Use...
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See All of Our Resources About Courage
Browse our entire collection of materials that incorporate the virtue of courage in some way. See individual materials from this virtue lesson as well as additional activities not found in the lesson.
Our Virtue Lessons for Kids Check-Off Sheet
Teachers Can Track Series Progress with Our Virtue Lessons for Kids Check-Off Sheet.
Our Virtue Lessons...
Our Virtue Lesson About Courage Unit Study
Teach Young Catholics About Being Brave with Our Virtue Lesson About Courage Unit Study.
Our Virtue Lesson...
A-Z Quest for the Virtue of Courage
Our A-Z Quest for the Virtue of Courage Can Help Kids Reflect on Being Courageous.
Invite children...
Virtue of Courage Chart Set
Help Children Learn to be Courageous.
Use this progress incentive chart set featuring a young...
Virtue of Courage Keytag Set
Encourage and Recognize the Courageous Behavior of Your Students.
Consider using these Virtue of Courage...
Virtue of Courage Word Search Worksheet
Use Word Fun to Reinforce the Virtue of Courage.
Help young Catholics to better understand the...
Dig Deeper into the Virtue of Courage Worksheet
Prompt Young Catholics to Think About and Discuss the Virtue of Courage.
Help children recall...
Grow in the Virtue of Courage Prayer Worksheet
Remind Young Catholics of Ways to Live Out the Virtue of Courage.
Help children to learn easy...
Picture It - The Virtue of Courage Worksheet
Encourage Young Catholics to Explore the Virtue of Courage by Using Their Drawing Skills.
Help...
I Can Be Courageous Cut-N-Paste Virtue Lesson Sheet
Introduce Young Catholics to the Virtue of Courage with the I Can Be Courageous Cut-N-Paste Virtue Lesson...
Teachers Can Track Series Progress with Our Virtue Lessons for Kids Check-Off Sheet. Our Virtue Lessons...
Teach Young Catholics About Being Brave with Our Virtue Lesson About Courage Unit Study. Our Virtue Lesson...
Our A-Z Quest for the Virtue of Courage Can Help Kids Reflect on Being Courageous. Invite children...
Help Children Learn to be Courageous. Use this progress incentive chart set featuring a young...
Encourage and Recognize the Courageous Behavior of Your Students. Consider using these Virtue of Courage...
Use Word Fun to Reinforce the Virtue of Courage. Help young Catholics to better understand the...
Prompt Young Catholics to Think About and Discuss the Virtue of Courage. Help children recall...
Remind Young Catholics of Ways to Live Out the Virtue of Courage. Help children to learn easy...
Encourage Young Catholics to Explore the Virtue of Courage by Using Their Drawing Skills. Help...
Introduce Young Catholics to the Virtue of Courage with the I Can Be Courageous Cut-N-Paste Virtue Lesson...