Vintage Seventh Grade December Ethics Lessons

From Ethics for Children: A Guide for Teachers and Parents, 1910

DECEMBER: FREEDOM AND
OBEDIENCE

Learn: Mrs. Hemans's "The Pilgrim Fathers." Questions: Why did they seek freedom to worship God? What was happening in England at that time? Do we have freedom now? Do we use it? In what way? If a boy does just what he feels like doing at every moment, is he free? What does it mean to be a slave to habit? What are the hardest habits to get over? Give an example of a good habit? In what way does a good habit make you freer? Read accounts of the life of William Penn, in Eva M. Tappan's American Hero Stories. Penn was imprisoned many times for disobedience to authority. The accusations against him were: (l) That he insisted on preaching the Quaker doctrine; (2) That he would not take off his hat, even to the King; (3) That he would not take the oath of allegiance. Was Penn right to disobey in these three cases?

Why is the government of the United States of the people, by the people, and for the people, as Lincoln said it was?

Learn: "He that is greatest among you, let him be your servant."

Is it a title of honor to be called a servant? Is it a title of honor to be called a servant of the State? What men are now servants of the State? What is the meaning of "to serve"? Is it honorable to be idle? Is it more honorable to be of service, or to live in luxury?

Read stories of the Prophet Elijah (I Kings, Chaps. xvii, xviii, and xix).

Read the story of Miles Standish, in Eva M. Tappan's American Hero Stories.

Read: Longfellow's "The Legend Beautiful," and "Robert of Sicily."

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