As we mentioned in our November article ‘Redressing the Balance on Virtue’, we were delighted when the London Oratory School invited us to partner with them in creating a character education resource inspired by the virtues, as part of the the 10th anniversary celebrations of The Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues.
This resultant Key Stage 4 resource, titled Luna’s Quest and about the virtue of temperance, is now published and available online to all schools for free! Read on to find out more…
Why temperance?
There are many virtues, split into different categories. The main – ‘cardinal’ – four virtues as described by the founding fathers of virtue, Greek philosophers Aristotle and Plato, are prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.
In discussions with the London Oratory School, we decided that of the four cardinal virtues, temperance might be the hardest to enthuse a teenage audience about, and so we decided to start there!
Historically, temperance referred to abstinence from alcoholic drink, but in modern understanding it is generally characterised as the control over excessive behaviour through moderation and voluntary self-restraint. However, our resource seeks to go beyond these confining definitions, and inspire pupils that a temperate life is not diminishing, but rather empowering and life-giving.
What is the ‘Luna’s Quest’ resource?
This classroom resource, involving original film, facilitated discussion and personal response, helps pupils aged 14+ to know and understand that temperance is the virtue which brings order to our lives, particularly our emotions and desires.
Through ‘Luna’s Quest’, a fictional film where the protagonist has to overcome a series of obstacles in order to achieve her goal, and a series of ‘explainer videos’ which break open the key ideas within the story and apply them to real-world situations, pupils will engage in discussion, activities and personal writing exercises to learn about and apply their understanding of the virtue of temperance.
The session ends with a reflection on how practising temperance does not dull emotions or destroy desires, but rather moderates them and allows them to flourish in healthy, balanced ways; bringing peace, joy and freedom.
The session is designed to last for 60 minutes, with many opportunities to extend discussions and activities beyond this as desired.
Is this a religious resource?
This is not a religious resource. The ‘Luna’s Quest’ resource is suitable for schools, pupils and staff of all faiths and none.
Character education invites pupils
As such, character education – which encourages the understanding of virtues and practical integration of them into daily life – will support the flourishing of all individuals, whilst simultaneously upholding the specific beliefs they hold to be true.
See here for more on character education and the Catholic perspective on virtue, which is wholly supported and upheld through this resource and all Ten Ten’s work.
Get hold of the ‘Luna’s Quest’ resource
The resource is freely available for all schools to access online/download on our Character Education page.
Please feel free to share this resource with other teachers and schools you know, and do let us know how you find using it in the classroom. It’s slightly different to other resources we’ve created, so we’d love to hear your feedback, and if you’d be interested in more of this kind of content!
Get hold of the ‘Luna’s Quest’ resource
The resource is freely available for all schools to access online/download on the page below.
Please feel free to share this resource with other teachers and schools you know, and do let us know how you find using it in the classroom. It’s slightly different to other resources we’ve created, so we’d love to hear your feedback, and if you’d be interested in more of this kind of content!
Partners involved in Luna’s Quest
The Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues
‘The Jubilee Centre is a pioneering interdisciplinary research centre focussing on character, virtues and values in the interest of human flourishing. Launched in 2012, the Centre promotes a moral concept of character in order to explore the importance of virtue for public and professional life. The Centre is a leading informant on policy and practice in this area and through its extensive range of projects contributes to a renewal of character virtues in both individuals and societies.’
The London Oratory School
From its Oratory Formation, the London Oratory has been invested in character education for a long time. They say: ‘Together with parents, our task is to help form, develop and polish the three attributes of human character that make us wise, and admirable in the eyes of others and most important, in the eyes of Almighty God: The Intellectual, the Moral and the Spiritual. This is the unifying task which runs through all the three stages of a London Oratory School education: In the Junior House, the Senior School and in the Sixth Form.’
Ten Ten
Here at Ten Ten we have long been passionate about the power of stories to change hearts and minds, so when we were approached to help produce such an exciting resource, we jumped at the chance. Building on our experience in theatre making, resource creation and film production, we have brought together a team of creatives including a script writer, director, graphic artist, video editor, composer and voiceover artist to create a resource that we hope will stay in hearts and minds far beyond the classroom.
Related content:
Redressing the Balance on Virtue
Virtues get a bad rap these days. We want to set the record straight!
Read More