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Responsibility and Jobs

Lesson 1:

From Unit People Who Work

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

Kindergarten-2nd Grade

Subjects:

Language Arts, Library / Technology and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

ELA:	Strega Nona; Response to Text/Others; Vocabulary
PHIL:	Career Opportunities; Community; Helping
SOC:	Career Opportunities; Civic Responsibility/Virtue; Communities; Rights/Responsibilities

Purpose:

Students respond to literature and name the jobs represented in the community. Students also identify responsibility and responsible behavior.

Duration:

One Forty-Five Minute Class Period

Objectives:

The learner will:

name community jobs/helpers.
define responsibility and identify responsible behavior.

Service Experience:

Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

None for this lesson.

Materials:

Read-aloud copy of Strega Nona or Strega Nona's Magic Lessons by Tomie dePaola
Chart paper
Paper and crayons
What Is Responsibility? ( Attachment One )

Handout 1: What Is Responsibility?

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:

Tell the students that you are going to read a story about Big Anthony and Strega Nona. Tell them that while you are reading, you want them to listen to the kind of work people do, not only what the job is, but how they do their work. Read the story of Strega Nona or Strega Nona's Magic Lessons .

Ask the students to name the different jobs they observed (heard or saw in the pictures) in the story. Write their responses on chart paper.
Then ask the students whether Strega Nona is paid for the work she does (yes). Is Big Anthony paid for his work? (yes) Try to determine who pays them. Talk about why the work they do is important to the person who pays them.
Ask the students to compare how Strega Nona (or Bambalona) and Big Anthony work. Who is a responsible worker? Who is not? What are Big Anthony's responsibilities? What does he do that is not responsible? Ask students if they think Big Anthony will make the same mistake(s) again.
Discuss the meaning of responsible. Relate it to the meaning of the word responsibility. Ask the students what some of their responsibilities are at school and at home. Responsibilities may include expected tasks and expected behaviors. What are the benefits of being responsible? What are the problems with being irresponsible?
Every member of a community has responsibilities. Some of our responsibilities are jobs that we get paid to do. Ask the students if it is possible to get paid for every responsibility. Why not? Make a list on chart paper of things that people must act responsibly about that they cannot be paid for. Examples include not interfering with the rights/needs of others, helping a neighbor, doing your best work at school and home, and bringing canned goods to school for hungry members of the community.

Assessment:

Have each student fold a paper in fourths and unfold it to make four sections in which to draw. Tell the students to draw themselves acting responsibly in four different situations. For example, the pictures may show the student cleaning his/her room, listening in class, sharing a toy and setting the table at home. Encourage the students to label or write a sentence describing each picture. Assess whether the student recognizes that responsibility includes helping, making good choices, completing tasks and being a good “citizen.”

School/Home Connection:

Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
Send home the homework that encourages families to talk about what it means to be responsible. See Attachment One: What Is Responsibility?

Extension:

Read other Strega Nona books by Tomie dePaola. Strega Nona is always a kind and generous employer and member of her community.

Bibliographical References:

dePaola, Tomie. Strega Nona . Simon & Shuster, 1975. ISBN: 067166283X
dePaola, Tomie. Strega Nona's Magic Lessons . Voyager books, 1984. ISBN: 0152817867

Lesson Developed and Piloted by:

Sara Truss
Albion Public Schools
Harrington Elementary
Albion, Michigan

Handouts:

Handout 1Print Handout 1

What Is Responsibility?

Homework: Talk with your family about the meaning of responsibility. Complete the questions together.

What are some of your (child) responsibilities at home?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
What does it mean to be responsible at home?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
How does acting responsibly help you?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
How does acting responsibly help the people around you?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
How do you feel when people around you do not act responsibly?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

Academic Standards:

State/Country:

Philanthropy Framework:

Unit Contents:

Overview:People Who Work Summary

Lessons:

1.: Responsibility and Jobs
2.: Community Helpers
3.: Volunteers in the Community