Old School 5.0

In our last blog we shared how we were using the Old School method of having the children write sentences to change their behavior.

Our hope in this was that they would learn from the sentences they were writing, and their behavior would change.

What We Learned

One of the many blessings about working children at Girls and Boys of Character is that we are learning along with the children.

They keep us on our toes and look for ways to better serve them. When we implemented the sentence writing to change their behavior this is what we experienced.

At first it wasn’t well received; they didn’t like it and some pouted. But by writing the sentences we were able to praise those with good penmanship.  This increased their eagerness to complete the assignment.

We also were able to discover those that needed additional help with their penmanship.  So, they concentrated on that area, and improvements were made.

Time For an Upgrade

Just like anything else in life, there comes a time for an upgrade.

They quickly adapted to writing simple sentences such as, “I will be kind to others”, and the like.

Two students needed correction, after the discussion with Mrs. Norma, she asked, “What do you think your consequences should be?”

They both said in unison, “Give us sentences!”  We were somewhat surprised. They no longer looked at writing the sentences as a punishment or dreaded it.

We soon discovered why.  They found that if they quickly wrote sentences one word at a time on each line, they could complete it rather quickly.  Like below:

1.       I
2.       I
3.       I

And then they would go back to the top of the sentence and write the second word:

1.       I will
2.       I will
3.       I will

By doing this, it was no longer laborious to them, and they were completely missing the lesson the sentences were meant to teach.

Introducing Old School 5.0

This new generation of children will cause you to stay in God’s face, asking Him how to serve them.  And that’s what we did.

We improved our way of teaching them while correcting their behavior.

Instead of requiring them to write simple sentences beginning with, “I will,” we incorporated the Word of God.

They are now required to write Scriptures that help to correct their behavior.

The two children that requested sentences as their consequences because of their need to speak kindly towards others were given Proverbs 21:36:

Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut and you will stay out of trouble.

They were required to write it 25 times, if any sentence was not written with a spirit of Excellence, they would be required to erase it and write it over.

Game Changer

This was a game changer!

They could no longer write quickly write the sentence without focusing on what was being written as they did before.  No more,

4.       I will
5.       I will
6.       I will

Of course they were not eager about the changes! 

Here are the benefits of writing the Scriptures:

1. As they write the Scriptures, they must pay attention to what they are writing.
2. Writing the Scriptures gets in their Spirit man and will come back to them when needed.
3. As they write the Scriptures they are learning God’s Word.
4. Also, when they write the Scriptures, they are looking at a reminder of how they should act and behave. 
5. Writing the Scriptures helps them to memorize them and walk in them.

Now they are receiving meaningful life lessons that will remain not only in their minds but in their hearts. 

We Got Proof

During one of our sessions, we asked one of the children to share with us what he was required to write.

After thinking about it, he was able to quote Proverbs 21:36. You can visit our Girls and Boys Facebook page and see.  Here is the link-

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1077518550536940