Lesson Plan
Own Your Choices!
Students will be able to define personal responsibility, identify examples in their daily lives, and understand the positive impacts of owning their choices.
Developing a strong sense of responsibility helps students build trust, achieve goals, and contribute positively to their home, school, and community environments.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and scenario-based activity.
Materials
- Own Your Choices Slide Deck, - Responsibility Scenarios Worksheet, - Whiteboard or projector, and - Markers or pens
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Own Your Choices Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Responsibility Scenarios Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for use.
Step 1
Introduction: What is Responsibility?
5 minutes
- Begin by projecting Slide 1 of the Own Your Choices Slide Deck.
- Ask students: "What does it mean to be responsible?" Facilitate a brief class discussion, writing down keywords on the board.
- Transition to Slide 2 to introduce a formal definition of responsibility.
Step 2
Everyday Responsibility
7 minutes
- Show Slide 3 and discuss common examples of responsibility in students' lives (school, home, community).
- Ask students for their own examples and how taking responsibility in these areas makes a difference. Use examples like completing homework, doing chores, or keeping promises.
Step 3
Scenario Challenge Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute the Responsibility Scenarios Worksheet.
- Explain that students will work individually or in small groups to read different scenarios and decide how a responsible person would act.
- Encourage them to consider the short-term and long-term impacts of their choices. Provide guidance as needed.
Step 4
Share and Reflect
6 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask a few students or groups to share their responses to one or two scenarios from the Responsibility Scenarios Worksheet.
- Facilitate a brief discussion on why their chosen actions demonstrate responsibility and the potential outcomes.
- Conclude with Slide 4 emphasizing that
Slide Deck
Own Your Choices!
What Does Responsibility Mean to You?
Greet students and introduce the topic of responsibility. Ask them to think about what the word 'responsibility' means to them. Encourage a few students to share their initial thoughts.
What is Responsibility?
Responsibility is:
Taking ownership of your actions, decisions, and their consequences, both good and bad.
Present the definition. Emphasize keywords like 'ownership,' 'actions,' 'decisions,' and 'consequences.' Explain that responsibility isn't just about doing what's right, but also about acknowledging the outcomes of our choices.
Responsibility in Action
Where do you see responsibility in your daily life?
- At School: Completing homework, participating in class, respecting school property.
- At Home: Doing chores, following family rules, helping siblings.
- In Your Community: Being a good friend, cleaning up public spaces, following laws.
Discuss these examples and ask students for more. Connect each example to how taking responsibility in that area can positively impact themselves and others. For instance, 'How does turning in homework on time show responsibility?'
Your Choices Matter!
Every decision you make has an impact.
Taking responsibility means:
- Being reliable
- Building trust
- Growing as a person
- Making a positive difference
Conclude by reiterating the main message. Encourage students to consciously think about their choices and how they can be more responsible. This is a good lead-in to the worksheet activity.
Worksheet
Responsibility Scenarios Worksheet
Name: _________________________ Date: _____________
Directions: Read each scenario carefully. For each scenario, describe what a responsible person would do and explain why that action is responsible. Consider the impact of their choices.
Scenario 1: The Group Project
Your history teacher assigned a group project due next week. Your group decided to divide the work, and you were assigned to create the presentation slides. It's the night before the project is due, and you haven't even started because you spent the week playing video games.
What would a responsible person do?
Why is this action responsible?
Scenario 2: Borrowed Money
Your friend lent you $10 last week for lunch, and you promised to pay them back today. You have the money, but you also really want to buy a new snack from the vending machine during break.
What would a responsible person do?
Why is this action responsible?
Scenario 3: The Broken Vase
While playing catch inside your house, you accidentally knocked over and broke your mom's favorite vase. No one else was home, and you know you could probably hide the pieces and pretend it never happened.
What would a responsible person do?
Why is this action responsible?
Scenario 4: A Friend's Secret
Your best friend told you a secret and asked you not to tell anyone. Later, another friend asks you directly about the secret.
What would a responsible person do?
Why is this action responsible?
Scenario 5: Missing Homework
You completed your math homework, but you forgot to put it in your backpack. You realize this as your teacher is collecting assignments.
What would a responsible person do?
Why is this action responsible?
Answer Key
Responsibility Scenarios Answer Key
Directions: This answer key provides suggested responsible actions and reasoning for each scenario. Encourage students to think critically and justify their responses, as there may be multiple valid responsible approaches.
Scenario 1: The Group Project
Your history teacher assigned a group project due next week. Your group decided to divide the work, and you were assigned to create the presentation slides. It's the night before the project is due, and you haven't even started because you spent the week playing video games.
What would a responsible person do?
- Immediately contact group members: Apologize for not starting and explain the situation. Offer to stay up late, work through the night, or do extra work to complete your part as best as you can.
- Communicate with the teacher (if necessary): If it's impossible to complete the work adequately before the deadline, responsibly inform the teacher of the situation and take full accountability for your lack of preparation. Do not blame group members.
Why is this action responsible?
- Accountability: Taking responsibility means admitting when you've made a mistake and not trying to hide it or shift blame.
- Respect for others: Your group members are relying on you. A responsible person understands their actions impact others and tries to minimize negative consequences for their team.
- Problem-solving: While late, actively trying to mitigate the damage shows a commitment to rectifying the situation.
Scenario 2: Borrowed Money
Your friend lent you $10 last week for lunch, and you promised to pay them back today. You have the money, but you also really want to buy a new snack from the vending machine during break.
What would a responsible person do?
- Pay your friend back first: Fulfill your promise to your friend. Keep your word and return the money you owe.
- Explain (if you can't pay): If you truly didn't have the money, a responsible person would have approached their friend earlier to explain and make a new plan, not avoid them.
Why is this action responsible?
- Trustworthiness: Keeping your promises, especially regarding money, builds and maintains trust in friendships. Breaking promises erodes trust.
- Integrity: Doing what you said you would do, even if it means sacrificing something you want in the moment, demonstrates integrity and respect for others.
Scenario 3: The Broken Vase
While playing catch inside your house, you accidentally knocked over and broke your mom's favorite vase. No one else was home, and you know you could probably hide the pieces and pretend it never happened.
What would a responsible person do?
- Clean up the mess safely: Carefully clean up the broken pieces to prevent anyone from getting hurt.
- Tell your mom what happened: Honestly explain the accident to your mom, apologize, and offer to help replace it or do extra chores to make up for it.
Why is this action responsible?
- Honesty: A responsible person tells the truth, even when it's difficult or they fear consequences.
- Accepting consequences: Taking responsibility means facing the music for your actions, whether intentional or accidental.
- Showing respect: Admitting your mistake shows respect for your mom and her belongings.
Scenario 4: A Friend's Secret
Your best friend told you a secret and asked you not to tell anyone. Later, another friend asks you directly about the secret.
What would a responsible person do?
- Keep the secret: Politely but firmly tell the other friend that it's not your story to tell, or that you're not at liberty to discuss it.
- Reassure your best friend: If your best friend expresses concern later, reassure them that you kept their secret.
Why is this action responsible?
- Trust and loyalty: Keeping a confidence demonstrates that you are a trustworthy friend and that you respect the bond you have with your best friend.
- Respect for privacy: A responsible person understands and respects boundaries, especially when it comes to personal information shared in confidence.
Scenario 5: Missing Homework
You completed your math homework, but you forgot to put it in your backpack. You realize this as your teacher is collecting assignments.
What would a responsible person do?
- Immediately inform the teacher: Explain honestly that you completed the homework but forgot to bring it. Do not make excuses or lie.
- Ask about options: Inquire if there is a way to submit it later (e.g., during lunch, after school, or emailing a picture if allowed) or if there will be a penalty.
- Bring it in the next day: Ensure you bring the completed homework the very next day, even if it's late.
Why is this action responsible?
- Honesty and integrity: Taking responsibility means admitting your oversight without trying to deceive.
- Proactive problem-solving: Instead of simply accepting a zero, a responsible student tries to find a solution or mitigate the negative impact.
- Learning from mistakes: This experience can help you develop better organizational habits for the future.