The Circles All Around Us

Early one morning, Maya woke up to the bright, round sun shining through her window. She smiled and stretched her arms wide like the sun’s rays. As she blinked sleep from her eyes, Maya noticed the circle on her clock ticking quietly. That little circle reminded her it was time to get ready for the day.

At home, Maya fed her goldfish, Bubbles. She filled Bubbles’s round bowl with fresh water and fish flakes. Feeding Bubbles was one of Maya’s personal responsibilities—her very own circle of care.

Soon it was time for school. The bell above the classroom door rang with a cheerful “ding!” Its shiny metal circle told everyone it was time to find a seat. In class, Maya helped her friend clean up crayons. She picked up each broken crayon piece and put it back in their round container so no one would slip on them. Helping others in class was Maya’s school-circle responsibility.

After lunch, Maya washed her hands at the round sink. She scrubbed soap between her fingers and watched the bubbles swirl like tiny circles in the water. Then she placed her empty plate in the lunch cart and pushed it gently—another way she showed responsibility.

When school ended, Maya and her friends walked to the park. They saw the tires on the swings—the perfect circles that let them soar. But on the ground, they noticed a plastic bottle lying in the grass. Maya picked it up and put it in the recycling bin with the circle of arrows on its side. That was part of her community-circle responsibility: keeping the park clean for everyone.

On her way home, Maya thought about all the circles she belonged to—home, school, park, and the big circle of Earth itself. Each circle carried special jobs and ways she could help. That night, Maya snuggled into bed feeling proud. She knew that every circle around her was a chance to be responsible and kind.

Responsibility Chat

Discussion Guidelines

• Raise your hand before speaking.
• Listen respectfully to classmates.
• Use kind words and encourage each other.

Warm-Up (3 minutes)

• Remind everyone of our story, The Circles All Around Us.
• Ask: “What was your favorite circle moment in Maya’s day?”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Guided Questions (12 minutes)

1. What does responsibility mean?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Think about things you have to do or take care of.
2. Personal vs. Community Responsibilities
   • A personal responsibility is something you do just for you or your family.
   • A community responsibility helps friends, school, or everyone around you.a. List two examples of personal responsibilities from the story or your life:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   b. List two examples of community responsibilities:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   1. ---

   2. ---

   1. ---

   2. ---

3. How did Maya show responsibility at home, school, and the park?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Share one example for each circle:
     • Home: ________________
     • School: _______________
     • Park: _________________

Deeper Thinking (5 minutes)

• Why is it important to do our personal responsibilities before helping others?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• What could happen in our classroom or community if no one did their responsibilities?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

• Ask each student to share one new responsibility they will practice this week.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Celebrate by giving a “responsibility clap” to each speaker!

Responsibility Sorting

Objective: Students will categorize examples of responsibilities into personal or community groups, reinforcing their understanding of each type.

Materials:

• Responsibility Sorting Cards
• Responsibility Sorting Mat
• Chart paper and markers

Prep (5 minutes):

• Lay out the Responsibility Sorting Mat on the floor or a large table.
• Shuffle the Responsibility Sorting Cards and place them face down in a stack.
• Label two columns on chart paper or the mat: Personal Responsibilities and Community Responsibilities.

Instructions

1. Introduction (3 minutes)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Remind students of the difference between personal and community responsibilities.
   • Show the sorting mat and explain the two columns.
   • Ask: “What are some things you do at home just for yourself or your family? And what are things you do to help everyone?”
2. Sorting Activity (12 minutes)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Invite one student at a time to pick a card from the stack and read it aloud (e.g., “Feeding your pet”).
   • Ask the class: “Is this a personal responsibility or a community responsibility?”
   • Have the student place the card under the correct heading on the mat.
   • Continue until all cards are sorted, ensuring each child gets a turn.
3. Group Discussion (5 minutes)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Review the cards in each column together.
   • For any cards that seem misplaced, discuss why and move them if needed.
   • Highlight cards that could fit in both columns (e.g., washing hands keeps you healthy and helps others).
4. Extension (Optional, 5 minutes)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Give each student a blank card.
   • Ask them to draw or write one responsibility they have at home or school.
   • Students share their responsibility with the class and place it in the correct column.

Responsibility Relay

Objective: Students will reinforce their understanding of personal and community responsibilities by racing to sort responsibility cards into the correct circles in a fun, cooperative relay.

Materials:

• 2–4 small cones or floor markers to mark relay lanes
• 2 Responsibility Sorting Mats (one per lane)
• One shuffled stack of Responsibility Sorting Cards per lane
• Timer or stopwatch (optional)

Prep (5 minutes):

• In two opposite corners of the play area or classroom, place the two mats side by side, each labeled Personal Responsibilities and Community Responsibilities.
• Set up a start line about 10–15 feet away, marked by cones or tape.
• Divide the class into two teams. Give each team an identical shuffled stack of sorting cards at the start line.

Game Instructions (12 minutes)

1. Explain the Rules (2 minutes)
   • Each team lines up behind the start line.
   • When you say “Go,” the first player from each team picks the top card, runs to their team’s mats, and places the card on the correct mat (personal or community).
   • The player then races back, tags the next teammate, and the relay continues until all cards are sorted.
2. Start the Relay (8 minutes)
   • Say “Go!” and let teams race to sort their cards.
   • Encourage teamwork and cheering—students should help each other remember which category each card belongs in.
   • If a card is placed incorrectly, the team must correct it before tagging the next runner.
3. Check and Celebrate (2 minutes)
   • Once both teams finish, gather students around the mats.
   • Review any misplaced cards: ask, “Why might this card belong in Personal? Community?”
   • Award a cheer to both teams for their hard work and responsibility knowledge!

Extension Options

• Timed Challenge: Use a stopwatch to time each team and challenge them to beat their own record in a second round.
• Mixed-Up Relay: Include a few “Both” responsibility cards (e.g., washing hands) and add a third mat labeled Both for an extra challenge.

This quick, active relay helps students move their bodies while deepening their grasp of personal and community responsibilities. Enjoy the race!

Responsibility Sorting Cards

Instructions: Cut out each card along the lines. Students will read each responsibility and sort it under Personal or Community.

• Feeding your pet

• Brushing your teeth

• Making your bed

• Packing your backpack for school

• Putting away your toys

• Watering the plants at home

• Putting trash into the garbage bin

• Recycling plastic bottles

• Picking up litter at the park

• Helping a classmate clean up crayons

• Donating books or clothes to others

• Volunteering at a community garden