Mr. Griggs' Work

The students will learn about the importance of responsibility, dependability, punctuality, honesty, and effort in the workplace through the reading of the book Mr. Griggs' Work. The students will have the opportunity to explore these character traits in their own work setting.

A lesson plan for grades K–5 Guidance

By William Hodge

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• learn the importance of responsibility, dependability, punctuality, honesty, and effort in the workplace.
• look for examples in their own work setting of people who exhibit these character traits.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

45 minutes

Materials/resources

• Copy of the children’s book “Mr. Griggs’Work” by Cynthia Rylant
• Individual cards with the character trait to post on the board
• Magic markers
• Big sheets of paper
• Drawing paper

Activities

1. Begin the lesson by posting the following word cards on the board: responsibility, dependability, punctuality, honesty, and effort. Ask the students to define these words for you. If they are unfamiliar with their meanings, come up with a working definition for each word. Remind them that these are some of the words they have learned in character education.
2. Now ask the children to give examples of how these character traits would be important in a career. After the students have brainstormed their ideas, introduce the book Mr. Griggs’ Work. Tell them to listen to how Mr. Griggs practiced these character traits in his job. Ask them to think about why Mr. Griggs was so successful in his job.
3. Bring the students up to the front for you to read Mr. Griggs’ Work to them. Make sure you allow time for the students to look at the pictures which help move the story forward.
4. After reading the book, divide the class up into small groups. Select a leader for each group. In their groups, the students will take each of the character words: responsibility, dependability, punctuality, honesty, and effort and give at least one example from the story that supports the idea that Mr. Griggs possessed each of these character traits in his job. A scribe from each group can record for the group on big paper.
5. After the small group work, someone from each group will post their findings in the classroom. Allow time for each group leader to report to the rest of the class the findings from his/her group. Summarize the group’s discussion.
6. Pass out blank paper to each student and have them select one of the character traits and draw an example of where they have observed that character trait either in the classroom or somewhere on the school grounds. It can be a student practicing this trait or an employee of the school. The student will state what the character trait is on his/her drawing.
7. Students share their pictures with the class.
8. Tell the students that just as Mr. Griggs was successful in his work in practicing the character traits, they also can develop these character traits which will help them in their job as students.

Assessment

Circulate around the room as the children are working in groups. Check to see if they are understanding the meaning of the character traits and are clear in giving examples of each of the traits. As the children are drawing, have them tell about the example of one of the character traits they have witnessed at their school.