Integrating Character Education / A Lesson on Responsibility
Activity on the character trait of responsibility.
A lesson plan for grades K–5 Guidance
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Related topics
- Learn more about guidance.
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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
- Benny the Lazy Beaver by George Fisk Publisher: Cosmic Concepts Pr; (January 1, 1991) ISBN: 0962050717
- Beaver puppet (optional)
- Index cards
Technology resources
- Computer with CD-ROM (optional)
- CD-ROM Software:Animal Kingdom (optional)
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
- 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.
- Optional: Have students research beavers using CD-ROM software.
- 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 readinga 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.
- 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.
Related websites
Character Education
http://www.character.com
Comments
This lesson can work across grade levels with slight modifications.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Guidance (2001)
Grades K–5
- Goal 1: Acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span.
- Objective 1.05: Verify responsibility for actions.
- 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 7.06: Establish self-control.
- Objective 7.08: Conclude that everyone has rights and responsibilities.
