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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Integrating character education: A lesson on responsibility

Activity on the character trait of responsibility.

A lesson plan for grades K–5 Guidance

By Cheryl Stafford

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

  • learn to demonstrate traits of responsibility.
  • learn that accepting responsibility is more rewarding than avoiding responsibility.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

45 Minutes

Materials/resources

Technology resources

  • computer(s) with Internet access

Pre-activities

  • Prepare index cards for the Slap Tail Game. Each card should have a responsible or an irresponsible situation or behavior described on them.
  • You may use familiar excuses such as forgetting, being too tired, wait until later, etc., on the irresponsible cards.
  • Research beavers on the internet or local library.
  • Using pictures the students bring, make a bulletin board display that show children and adults meeting their responsibilities.

Activities

  1. Introduce the Beaver Puppet and book Benny the Lazy Beaver by George Fisk. Discuss that most beavers are hard working and responsible but not Benny; he is lazy. Benny always uses excuses for not doing what he is supposed to do. Read the Book.
  2. Optional: Have students research beavers.
  3. Explain the purpose of the Slap Tail Game which is to recognize when they are accepting responsibility and when they are not. Ask students to answer the question: what does it mean when a beaver slaps his tail. (Danger is near.) Play the game by drawing and reading a Slap Tail index card. If the situation read is not responsible, then the students should slap their hands together like a beaver slaps its tail to signal danger is near. If what is read is responsible, students should do nothing. Hopefully there will be less error in judgment as the game progresses. Stop the game as time allows.
  4. Review the lesson. Remind the students that responsibility is not always easy to accept, but each time they accept responsibility, they are taking one more step toward growing up into a more happy, trustworthy, employable person.

Assessment

Students will be assessed by participation in discussions, activities, and the work produced.

Supplemental information

This lesson is part of the county and school wide focus on character education.

Comments

This lesson can work across grade levels with slight modifications.

North Carolina curriculum alignment

Guidance (2001)

Grade K–5

  • Goal 1: Acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span.
  • Goal 7: Acquire the attitudes, knowledge and interpersonal skills to help understand and respect self and others.
    • Objective 7.04: Distinquish between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors.
    • Objective 7.08: Conclude that everyone has rights and responsibilities.

  • North Carolina Essential Standards

    • Guidance (2010)

      • Early Emergent/Emergent

        • EEE.SE.1 Understand the meaning and importance of personal responsibility and self-awareness. EEE.SE.1.1 Contrast appropriate and inappropriate physical contact. EEE.SE.1.2 Illustrate personal responsibility in a variety of settings and situations.

      • Readiness/Exploration/Discovery

        • RED.SE.1 Understand the meaning and importance of personal responsibility and self-awareness. RED.SE.1.1 Understand the importance of self-control and responsibility. RED.SE.1.2 Identify ways of controlling behaviors associated with emotional states, feelings,...