Celebrating Prudence In Our Classrooms

Virtue Education Newsletter ~ November 2014
Celebrating Prudence In Our Classrooms
The Importance of Prudence
Prudence, the ability to make
good decisions or choices is
one of the four cardinal
virtues. A prudent person
takes the time to think of the
consequences of their
actions. They will stop and
ask themselves what is the
right and most loving thing
to do. A prudent person
would pray and think things
through, then act in truth
and love.
In this way
practicing prudence brings
us closer to God and our
neighbours.
happiness by living in God’s
love.
This love must be
guided with the wisdom of
our faith. Prudence is about
guiding one another as sons
and daughters of God and
encouraging each other to
live the Gospel of Jesus with
confidence.
Judging
between
actions to find the best
choice;
2)
Confidently acting on
the most righteous
choice.
There are many classroom
applications for this virtue.
One could look at Cyber
Safety, netiquette, the use of
media in trying to persuade
people away from their
Catholic beliefs and values.
One could also promote
social justice by prudent
spending (fair trade practices
with developing countries).
Prudence is often linked with
Wisdom.
Prudence has three steps:
1)
1)
Seeking the proper and
most loving thing to do;
All of us were created to find
Developing Character through Prudence
The goals of this virtue are:

To help our students
make
good
and
informed decisions;
Exemplifying prudence
means:

Taking the time to make
informed decisions;

To base our actions on
seeking the most loving
thing to do;

Asking yourself “What is
the most loving thing to
do?’

To
deepen
and
strengthen
our
relationship with Christ.

Co n sidering others
when making decisions.
Can thi s dec is ion
potentially
hurt
someone?

Looking to the gospel
and church teaching to
guide our conscience;

Considering
other
people’s advice when
making
important
decisions;

Keeping promises;

Reflecting and learning
from past mistakes.
Saying “sorry” and trying
to make up for mistakes.

Develop learning goals
and success criteria for
the virtue of Prudence
using the articles
Developing Character
through Prudence and
the chart Exploring
Learning Skills and Work
Habits with Prudence
Virtue.
“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding
rather than silver! ” ~ Proverbs 16:16
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Celebrating Prudence In Our Classrooms
A Day Full of Opportunities
This day is full of beauty and opportunities
Help me Lord to be fully alive to it all
During this day, may I become a more thoughtful person,
A more prayerful person, a more generous and kindly person.
Help me make decisions that will bring me closer to You.
Help me to be sensitive and helpful to others
Let me do nothing today that will hurt anyone
But let me help at least a little
To make a life more pleasant for those I meet.
“In matters of conscience,
When night comes, may I look back on this day without
regrets;
first thoughts are always
And may nobody be unhappy because of
Anything I have said or done or failed to do.
best, in matters of
prudence, last thoughts
Lord God, bless this day for me and for everyone I will meet.
are always best.”
Make it a day in which we grow a little more like Your Son
Jesus.
~Robert Hall
Amen
Prayer Center Ideas for Prudence

Cut out large letters “W.W.J.D.? and
post them at the classroom prayer
center.

Have students brainstorm people
who can help them make good
choices. Display this list at the prayer
center (e.g. Mom, grandparents).


Display the Read-Alouds that support
the virtue of Prudence — have
students reflect on which characters
displayed prudence.
Display advertisements that support
prudence and advertisements that
tempt us away from our beliefs and
values.

Post the three steps from page 1 to
making prudent decisions.

Brainstorm and make a list of
prudent “netiquette” (etiquette for
the internet).

Display Fair-Trade Products at your
prayer center. Explain how these
products make a difference.
”Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.”
~ William Shakespeare
Virtue Education Newsletter ~ November 2014
Page 3
Fostering an Attitude of Prudence in our Homes and Schools
As parents and educators we want to
make the right choices for our children
and students. When we have important
decisions to make, we seek help from
others. We may sometimes even seek the
advice of our parish priest. When we
know in our hearts what is the most kind
and loving thing to do, we can act with
confidence and peace. We want nothing
less for our students and children. We
must encourage children to stop and
think about what Jesus would do.
Our children are a precious treasure. We
want them to know and live by our
Catholic values. We can encourage them
to practice prudence in the following
areas:
At home:
At School:

by modeling decision making
process (listening to other people’s
advice, praying, and practicing
kindness);

by role playing different scenarios
where students practice making wise
and prudent decisions;


By discussing with our children the
moral dilemmas they face everyday
at school with their friends and at
home with their sibling(s);
By reflecting on past decisions,
looking to Jesus as our model to
inform future decisions;

By reading from Scriptures and
learning from biblical passages;

By developing critical literacy skills in
our students.

By modeling purchases that honour
others instead of exploiting (fair
trade).
A Self-Examination on the Cardinal Virtue of Prudence
Prudence
I think before acting when faced with a moral
dilemma.
I reflect on past mistakes before acting.
I keep my promises.
I respect learning and the learning of others and
I am open to new ideas.
I say I am sorry and try to make up for past
mistakes.
I think of others when making decisions.
I make wise and prudent purchases that honour
the dignity of human beings in developing
countries.
Very Well
Well
Needs
Work
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Celebrating Prudence In Our Classrooms
Resources to Support the Virtue of Prudence
Ten Things I can Do To
Help My World
The Big Elephant in the
Room
Do Unto Otters—A
Book About Manners
I Repeat Don’t Cheat!
The Pink Refrigerator
Melanie Walsh
Lane Smith
Margery Cuyler, Arthur
Howard
Tim Egan
Laurie Keller
Don’t Laugh At Me
One
The War
The Other Side
Two of a Kind
Steve Seskin
Kathryn Otishi
Anais Vaugelade
Jaqueline Woodson
Jaqui Robbins
No!
How Full is your Bucket
Pink
Noni Says No
The Sandwich Swap
David McPhail
Tom Rath
Nan Gregory
Heather Hartt-Sussman
Her Majesty Queen
Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah
Yoon and the Jade
Bracelet
Helen Recorvits
Say Something
The Scarecrow’s Dance
Those Shoes
Willy & Max
Peggy Moss
Jan Yolen
Maribeth Boelts
Amy Littlesugar
Virtue Education Newsletter ~ November 2014
Page 5
Prayer Service
Possible Activities….

Cut out large letters: WWJD?

Display some of the Read-Alouds showcased this month.

Include a display that celebrates the beauty of the season (fall leaves, globe, gourd).
Introduction:
Generous God, you are so good to us. You have given us many blessings including the gift of free will. We
sometimes forget to see that our decisions and our actions are a way to get closer to You. Today and for the
month of November, we will be working on developing the virtue of prudence.
Prudence is the ability to make good decisions. A good choice includes self-reflection and thinking of others.
When we make decisions on what is the right and most loving thing to do, we develop a deeper relationship
to God. A prudent person turns to God when making decisions.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit
Opening Prayer
God of unfailing light, we thank you for this day and for our school community. As we gather to hear your
guiding word, we pray that through the Holy Spirit, our minds and hearts will be open to the goodness you
offer each of us today. May Christ shine in our hearts like the sun, and bring us closer to You. We pray in
Christ’s name. Amen
Gospel Reading
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 10: 25-37)
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to
him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your
neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going
down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went
away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he
passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the
other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity.
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his
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Celebrating Prudence In Our Classrooms
Prayer Service
own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them
to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you
spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the
robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on how you can deepen your relationship with Jesus and become a
more prudent person.
A prudent person is someone who:

Takes the time to reflect when making decisions
 Asks herself/himself “what is the right and kind thing to do?”
 Looks to Jesus for guidance and asks herself/himself ‘What would Jesus do?’
 Admits past mistakes and learns from them
Prayers of the Faithful
The response is “Lord, hear our prayer.”
We pray for the Holy Catholic Church, as it continues to speak out against all that would destroy human
dignity, human rights and human rights. We pray...
We pray for all those whose task it is to lead communities and nations may their leadership reflect wisdom
and prudence. We pray...
We pray for those who are poor or oppressed, that, by our prayers and actions, they may experience
freedom, justice and peace. We pray...
We pray for all of us gathered here today, may we be open to the Holy Spirit when faced with moral
dilemmas. We pray...
Let us pray together the prayer Jesus taught us. Our Father…
Closing Prayer
Loving Father, protect us from all harm and give us health in mind and body. Guide us with the Holy Spirit in
all of our decisions both large and small. Help us live our lives inspired by the life of Your Son, our greatest
teacher.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit
Virtue Education Newsletter ~ November 2014
10 idées écolos pour sauver ma planète
La Prudence
Une vertu est une force et
une disposition stables qui
nous incline à faire le bien et
à éviter le mal. La vertu
facilite donc la pratique du
bien.
Les vertus morales cardinales
sont au nombre de quatre:

La vertu de justice

La vertu de force

La vertu de prudence
Page 7
Melanie Walsh

La vertu de tempérance
La prudence est la vertu qui
dirige toute notre action vers
son but légitime et qui
cherche tous les moyens
convenables et les mieux
appropriés à une action
efficace, et qui demeure
toujours essentiellement
conforme à ce que Dieu veut
pour notre vrai bien.
10 idées écolos—aujourd’hui je protège ma
planète
Melanie Walsh
Ninon dit Non
Heather Hartt-Sussman
Willy et Max
Amy Littlesugar
Aide-moi Seigneur
Aide-moi, Seigneur,
à être pour tous et toutes,
La personne qui reçoit avec bonté,
Qui écoute avec sympathie,
Qui donne avec amour.
Aide moi, Seigneur,
à être pour tous et toutes,
La personne qu’on aime recontrer
Quand on a besoin de parler à
quelqu’un.
Aide moi, Seigneur,
A être cette présence rassurante,
A offrir cette amitié reposante,
A rayonner cette paix joyeuse,
A être recueillie en Toi, pour Toi.
Et pour cela, Seigneur,
Que ta pensée ne me quitte pas,
Que ta vérité habite en moi,
Que tes conseils me guident vers Toi.
Et qu’ainsi, Seigneur,
Dans la simplicité de mon coeur,
Dans le quotidien de ma vie,
Je puisse aider les autres
A te mieux connaître
En recevant ton amour,
Dans un geste d’accueil.
Amen
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Celebrating Prudence In Our Classrooms
Exploring Learning Skills and Work Habits with Prudence Virtue
Learning Skill
Sample Behaviours
Links to Catholic Graduate
(Growing Success 2010)
(Growing Success 2010)
Expectations
Responsibility



Fulfills responsibilities and commitments A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner
within the learning environment
 Demonstrates a confident and positive sense
Completes and submits class work, homeof self and respect for the dignity and welfare
work, and assignments according to the
of others
agreed upon timelines
Responsible citizen
Takes responsibility and manages own
behaviour
 Accepts accountability for one’s own actions
Big Ideas from a Catholic Perspective:
Initiative

Responsibility for own behaviour, words
and actions

Commitment

Global Community

Stewardship of the environment


Self-Regulation

Witnesses Catholic social teachings by promoting equality, democracy and solidarity for a
just, peaceful and compassionate society.
A Collaborative Contributor

Develops one’s God-given potential and makes
meaningful contributions to society

Finds meaning, dignity, fulfillment and vocation in work which contributes to the common
Looks for and acts on new ideas and op- A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner
portunities for learning
 Examines and reflects on one’s personal vaues,
Recognizes and advocates appropriately
abilities and aspirations influencing life’s
for the rights of self and others
choices and opportunities
Big Ideas from a Catholic Perspective:
Collaborative contributor

Positive Attitude


Advocacy for self and others

Sets own individual goals and monitors Discerning believer
progress towards achieving them
 Develops attitudes and values founded on
Catholic social teaching and acts to promote
Assesses and reflects critically on own
social responsibility, human solidarity and the
strengths, needs and interest
common good
Perseveres and makes an effort when
Reflective creative and holistic thinker
responding to challenges


Big Ideas from a Catholic Perspective:

Goal Setting

Reflection
Achieves excellence, originality, and integrity in
one’s own work and supports these qualities in
the work of others

Creates, adapts, evaluates new ideas in light of
the common good

Thinks reflectively and creatively to evaluated
situations and solve problems