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Steps to Responsibility

Grades: 
6, 7, 8
Subjects: 
Language Arts
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Keywords & Concepts: 
Character Education: Responsibility
Problem Solving

The learners break down the steps of decision-making in taking responsibility and apply it to a responsibility that is harder to follow.

Duration 
PrintOne 20-minute lesson
Objectives 

The learner will:

  • list the actions they take in response to a scenario.
  • apply those steps to a personal responsibility.
Materials 
  • Chart from Lesson One
Related Resources 

Instructions

Print

  1. Note: Post the chart created in the previous lesson (Assumed-Reminded responsibilities).

    Anticipatory Set:

    Imagine you are walking to the ice cream shop to meet friends. As you're waiting at an intersection for the traffic to clear so that you can cross the street, a ball rolls into the street and you hear a group of young children running toward the ball. What do you do? (Keep the conversation going deeper by asking, "what makes you say that?") Write the responses of the learners as they name their possible actions/responses.

    Refer to the chart about responsibilities and observe that in this case, they likely assumed the responsibility to take action without being told or reminded. 

  2. Choose one of the responses they came up with when the ball rolled into the street. (Use the response that will create the richest discussion.) Brainstorm the steps involved in taking the chosen action. 

    Sample list of steps toward taking responsibility:

    1. See the situation and recognize a need for responsibility.
    2. Come up with options.
    3. Weigh the options (determine opportunity costs).
    4. Decide what should be done.
    5. Choose to do it.
    6. Accept the consequences of the choice and action.

  3. Have the learners each choose one of their responsibilities that is either assigned or needs lots of reminders. They can refer to the list of our responsibilities from the first lesson.

    Using the list we just made as a guide, they break down their chosen responsibility into a similar set of steps that lead to them to consistently taking responsibility. They may make adjustments, as needed.

    Discuss whether the steps will help them take responsibility.

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 01. Define Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.4 Give examples of how individuals have helped others.
  2. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 01. Self, citizenship, and society
      1. Benchmark MS.2 Discuss why some animals and humans will sacrifice for the benefit of unknown others.
  3. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.1 Define and give examples of the motivations for giving and serving.
      2. Benchmark MS.4 Identify and describe the actions of how citizens act for the common good.
      3. Benchmark MS.5 Describe the responsibility students have to act in the civil society sector to improve the common good.
      4. Benchmark MS.7 Identify and give examples of an individual's reserved power to act.