Honoring Gifts, Rising to Challenges

Honoring Gifts, Rising to Challenges is available now in both printed ($19.95) and "Kindle" ($8.99) versions. Please click the button below to make your purchase at the Amazon.com bookstore. Thank You!


Please scroll down further for information about Support Materials ($15.95) that provide additional valuable tools for the Honoring Gifts, Rising to Challenges program.

A Gifts and Challenges DVD ($9.95) is available as an introduction to the concept. (The Home page features a short version.) This 24-minute video offers a window into the history of the Gifts and Challenges program. It includes excerpts of the story, as originally told to the children and examples of the children in action while experiencing a Gifts and Challenges Day. Comments from a teacher and parent offer valuable perspectives regarding the benefits of the program. This beautiful film can be used very effectively as part of a teacher workshop or as an educational component for parent meetings.

Honoring Gifts, Rising to Challenges book cover

~ Gifts and Challenges ~
"Support Materials" and "DVD"
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About the Support Materials for the Honoring Gifts, Rising to Challenges program...

(Available in PDF format ~ $15.95.  The PDFs will be e-mailed to you within 24 hours after purchase.)

The materials in this collection are designed to help you,
the classroom teacher, implement these ideas most effectively with your students.

The Gifts and Challenges charts are an essential tool for presenting this material to your students. Each child can fill out, within each category, their personal Gifts and Challenges. These charts are the core experience when presenting this lesson. Children refer to their charts on the Gifts Day, as well as on the Challenge Day. They can also be kept at school, to be referred to later for other Gifts and Challenges discussions or special activities. They can be shared with parents, as a window into their child’s perception of himself/herself as a learner and to encourage dialogue within the family regarding this important concept.

The Journals are a helpful adjunct, to be used for self-reflection, inspiration, and encouragement. The basic principles are written in a simple but powerful language. Children have a space for depicting themselves exercising their Gifts or practicing their Challenges. There are pages for inspirational quotes, and for recording their own thoughts and perceptions as they experience these lessons. Journals are leveled by age groupings: Level 1- Kindergarteners or early First Graders. Level 2 - First Grade through Fourth Grade. Level 3 - Fifth Grade through High School.

The Posters can be used to remind your students on a daily basis of the central truths about Gifts and Challenges and the emotional rights that each person has as a learner.

The Peacemaking Guidelines are offered as a possible method for conflict resolution. The Needs Wheel is a wonderful help in peacemaking, since it highlights the commonality in each child’s individual needs within every problem.

There are additional materials that can be used by teachers to reflect on their own Gifts and Challenges, as well as questionnaires for students and parents as an optional feedback tool. Sample letters to parents are included as a helpful blueprint that you can easily adapt to your own situation.

All of these materials have been invaluable in implementing this program.