Teacher Discussion Forums

I'm writing the syllabus for 1st and 2nd graders, the school where I teach is in Mexico and its catholic so the nuns are asking me to add a clas where I can teach in some way moral values like respect, friendship, loyalty etc...
I'd like to know if something like this exists in USA
If so please tell me how you call that class, because I'm thinking about Moral Values class but don't know if its correct.

The first thing I thought of when I read this was the book "the Berenstien Bears Lose Their Manners" (I think that's the right name). If you could use books like this one, talk about what is wrong about their behavior, why they should use manners, and then see the characters use better manners, would this work in your situation? I know that some of the church's teachings are stricter than what society allows.

I gather from your post that you are *not* a nun yourself. That may indicate some value differences between you and the nuns who asked you to create this course. Since values are very subjective and depend so much on culture/religion/beliefs, I think if you want to create a course that really serves children in this environment you need to collaborate heavily with the nuns on staff.

Sit down with a small group of your nun colleagues. Find a group that represents a broad range of approaches. Brainstorm things such as:
1) What morals/values are the kids lacking? What could they use more help understanding?
2) What, if any, topics are taboo? Is it okay to talk about other religions, for example? Should questions about religion be answered by you, or referred to another staff member?
3) When you do have a rough list of lesson topics worked out, go back and talk also about more specific lesson plans, so you are sure you're on the right track.

Oh, and you also asked whether this sort of class exists in the US. Not generally in public schools. But many private schools do things like this. It would be fine to call it Moral Values.

Good luck,
-EH