Virtue of Determination Unit Study

Our Virtue Lesson About Determination

A Unit Study to Help Young Catholics Learn About Perseverance and Being Determined

The Lesson

Our Virtue Lesson About Determination Unit Study focuses on helping kids to see the value of free will and in following a task through to completion. Learners can also grow closer to God as they learn that the Lord is proud of us whenever we give our best effort. The activities and materials can help Catholic kids practice and live their faith in a real way. Kids are sure to enjoy the daily activities which can span a month. Teachers will love the ease of use, including weekly core lessons and plans, daily reinforcement with scripture discussions, prayer, and the incentive progress sheets. These tools allow students to quickly learn how to recognize and begin practicing the virtue of determination. Additional worksheets and activities extend learning fun.

Unit Summary

Grade Level: K-6
Age: 6-10
Focus: Virtue Lesson Unit Study
Theme: Determination; perseverance

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Virtue Lessons

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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.

Download Our Virtue Lesson About Determination Unit Study

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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 determination. 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 over-sized text and a color image, which makes 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.

Download the Aesop Materials Below.

Aesop's Fable: The Crow and the Pitcher
Teach Using Aesop's Fable of the Crow and the Pitcher. Enjoy a printable version of this timeless fable from Aesop designed to help teach a lesson in virtuous behavior and morality. This resource has over-sized text and a color image, which make...

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Aesop Virtues

Aesop Copywork Set for the Crow and the Pitcher
Focus on the moral truth from Aesop's Fable of the Crow and the Pitcher. Find two copywork sheets in this set. There is one to trace in cursive and the other in manuscript. Generous writing area has been provided as well as an image to accompany the fable. This...

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Aesop handwriting Worksheet

Aesop’s Fables Montessori Cards Set 5
Set 5 of Aesop's Fables Montessori Cards Playing, reading and moral training don't usually go together, but they do in the case of our Aesop's Fables Montessori cards. Use these cards to help children explore, ponder, and remember all the great moral...

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Aesop Montessori Cards

Aesop's Fable: The Farmer and His Sons
Teach Using Aesop's Fable of the Farmer and His Sons. Enjoy a printable version of this timeless fable from Aesop designed to help teach a lesson in virtuous behavior and morality. This resource has over-sized text and a color image, which make it appealing...

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Aesop Virtues

Aesop Copywork Set for the Farmer and His Sons
Focus on the moral truth from Aesop's Fable of the Farmer and His Sons. Find two copywork sheets in this set. There is one to trace in cursive and the other in manuscript. Generous writing area has been provided as well as an image to accompany the fable. This...

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Aesop handwriting Worksheet

Aesop’s Fables Montessori Cards Set 10
Set 10 of Aesop's Fables Montessori Cards Playing, reading and moral training don't usually go together, but they do in the case of our Aesop's Fables Montessori cards. Use these cards to help children explore, ponder, and remember all the great moral...

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Aesop Montessori Cards

Scripture Suggestions for the Virtue of Determination

“And in doing good, let us not fail. For in due time we shall reap, not failing.” – Galatians 6:9

“But you, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:13

“I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7

Additional Passages:

Matthew 4:4

Luke 9:62

John 5:39-40

John 6:63-64

John 14:13-15

Romans 15:4

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

2 Corinthians 4:15-16

Philippians 3:12-14

Philippians 4:13

Hebrews 12:1-2

1 Peter 2:2

3 John 1:11

The quotes provided above are taken from the Douay-Rheims Translation of the Holy Bible.

Ideas for Studying Scripture Using This Unit Study

Choose a favorite scripture passage about determination 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. Other instructors may encourage students to study about the virtue of determination with a fun, hands-on activity F3 (Flip, Flap, Fold) Tab Booklet.

To create this tabbed booklet, learners cut tabbed pieces out, 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, while the passage is copied 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. There is a version provided in black-and-white as well as another in color, and both feature the thematic image used throughout the unit study. Students can glue the finished books into a notebook or blank F3 Folder.

Read our article with pictures on How to Assemble an F3 Bible Verse Piece.

F3 Tab Booklet - Bible Verses About Determination
Make Scripture Study About the Virtue of Determination a Hands-On Activity with Our Bible Verse F3 Piece. This little F3 (Flip, Flap, Fold) Piece encourages Bible study about determination. Learners cut out tabbed pieces, arrange them in order,...

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Bible Bible Verse F3 Determination F3 Graphic Organizer Virtues

Virtue of Determination Writing Paper
Writing Sheet Prompts Thoughts About Determination. This writing sheet has just the right amount of cuteness to draw young writers to share their thoughts about determination. This printable includes a black-and-white and color version of the writing...

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Determination Notebooking Virtues Writing Paper

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 determination in some way – either in the theme, plot, or through a specific character. Some characters will provide a positive example of virtue while others seem to lack 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 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 reviewing 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 Determination

Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully
The Boy Who Held Back the Sea by Lenny Hort, Thomas Locker, Mary Mapes Dodge
Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
The Rabbit and the Turtle by Eric Carle
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
Brave Irene by William Steig
Hurry Up, Franklin by Paulette Bourgeois
The Little Rooster and the Diamond Button by Celia Barker Lottridge & Joanne Fitzgerald
Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes by Beatrix Potter
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
Are You My Mother? By Dr. Seuss

Easier Chapter Books That Can Teach About Determination

The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
The Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett (Perseverance Section)
Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie by Peter and Connie Roop

Chapter Books That Can Teach About Determination

Helen Keller: Courage in the Dark by Johanna Hurwitz
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Miss Spitfire by Sarah Miller
The Story of Madame Curie by Alice Thorne
Tirzah by Lucille Travis

Other Books That Can Teach About Determination

The Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett (Perseverance Section)

Download the Additional Reading Aids Below.

Virtue of Determination Reading Log Bookmark
Help Young Catholics to Learn About Determination 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 determination. With each completed book or story,...

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Bookmark Charts Determination Reading Virtues

Blank Simple Book Review for Beginners
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. Using...

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Reading

Recipe Book Report
Book Report Brings Smiles and Fun and Is a Fun Alternative to a Traditional Book Report Do you have a child who likes to cook? Are looking for something completely different to use to pick apart your child's favorite read? Look no further. This cool little...

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Reading Writing Paper

Blank Detailed Book Report
This Six-Page Resource Is Ready Fun for Beginning Readers and Writers Many times when we think of book reports, we think of something cut and dry; perhaps something full of research, or something, dare I say, boring. Yikes!! You won't find anything...

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Graphic Organizer Reading

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 determination (perseverance).

Help children to better understand the virtue of determination by learning about St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The What Can St. Patrick Teach Me About Determination Worksheet is included in the lesson packet to help guide students on a simple study of this saint.