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Responsibility Rally

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Shelly Thomas

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Students will understand what responsibility means and identify examples of responsible behaviors at school through interactive reading, discussion, sorting activity, and a quick game.

Building responsibility helps students become independent learners, follow classroom rules, and foster a positive, cooperative classroom community.

Audience

1st and 2nd Grade Students

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Read, discuss, sort, play, reflect

Materials

  • Responsibility Storybook, * Responsibility Sorting Cards, * Responsibility Scenario Game Cards, and * My Responsibility Reflection Sheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Print enough copies of the Responsibility Storybook for classroom reading.
  • Print and cut apart the Responsibility Sorting Cards.
  • Print the Responsibility Scenario Game Cards.
  • Print one My Responsibility Reflection Sheet per student.
  • Review the story and scenario cards to familiarize yourself with the content.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Charades

5 minutes

  • Ask: “What does it mean to be responsible?”
  • Explain you’ll play Responsibility Charades using Responsibility Scenario Game Cards.
  • Act out three scenarios and have students guess if each shows responsible behavior.

Step 2

Reading: Responsibility Story

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and show the Responsibility Storybook.
  • Read aloud, pausing to highlight key behaviors and ask simple comprehension questions.

Step 3

Discussion: Identifying Responsibility

5 minutes

  • Ask: “What responsible actions did the character take?”
  • Record responses on chart paper under “Responsible Behaviors.”

Step 4

Activity: Sorting Responsible Acts

5 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of Responsibility Sorting Cards and two mats labeled “Responsible” and “Not Responsible.”
  • Have groups sort cards on the mats.
  • Circulate to support and correct sorting choices.

Step 5

Game: Quick Scenario Match

3 minutes

  • Hold up each remaining Responsibility Scenario Game Card.
  • Students show thumbs up for responsible, thumbs down for not responsible.
  • Provide immediate feedback and clarification.

Step 6

Cool-Down: Reflection Drawing

2 minutes

  • Distribute the My Responsibility Reflection Sheet.
  • Instruct students to draw one thing they can do today to show they’re responsible.
  • Collect sheets to review in the next session.
lenny

Reading

Responsibility Storybook

Meet Alex

Alex is in the second grade. He loves to read books and play outside with his friends. Alex wants to be helpful and make his family and teacher proud.

At Home

One morning, Alex’s little sister spills her cereal on the table. Instead of walking away, Alex grabs a damp cloth and helps clean up. He even wipes the floor so no one slips. When it’s time to feed the dog, Alex remembers on his own—no one has to remind him. He gently pats the dog and fills the bowl with water and food.

At School

At school, Ms. Rivera asks her students to take care of the classroom fish. When the bell rings, Alex carefully carries the fish bowl to the sink, adds fresh water, and replaces the bowl. Later, Alex notices a classmate drop a pencil. He picks it up and hands it back with a smile.

During reading time, Alex multitasks: he listens when the teacher reads, follows along in his book, and quietly puts away toys from the math center without being asked.

What Does Responsibility Look Like?

Alex learns that being responsible means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. He helps at home and at school. He finishes tasks on time, cares for others, and takes good care of his things.

Whenever Alex feels proud, he remembers: responsibility makes him a better friend, student, and family member. And you can show responsibility, too!

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lenny

Discussion

Session 1 Discussion: Identifying Responsible Behaviors

Discussion Guidelines

  • Raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking.
  • Listen respectfully when others share their ideas.
  • Use examples from the story or from your own experiences.

Question 1: Actions at Home

In the Responsibility Storybook, Alex helps his little sister clean up spilled cereal and remembers to feed the dog without being reminded.

Think-Pair-Share:

  1. Think quietly for a moment: What did Alex do at home that showed he was responsible?






  1. Turn to a partner and share your answer.
  2. Volunteers share with the whole class.

Follow-Up Prompts:

  • Why do you think it was responsible for Alex to clean up the spill right away?
  • Have you ever helped clean up something at home? What happened?

Question 2: Actions at School

Alex takes care of the classroom fish, returns a dropped pencil, and quietly puts toys away during reading time.

  1. What are two things Alex did at school that showed responsibility?






  1. How do his actions make school a nicer place for everyone?

Follow-Up Prompts:

  • What might happen if Alex forgot to change the fish’s water?
  • Can you share a time you helped in your classroom? How did it feel?

Question 3: Understanding Responsibility

Alex learns that responsibility means "doing the right thing, even when no one is watching."

  1. What does this sentence mean in your own words?






  1. Why is it important to be responsible when no one is looking?

Follow-Up Prompts:

  • How does responsibility help you become a better friend or student?
  • What can happen if we don’t act responsibly?

Reflection Prompt

What is one new thing you can do today in our classroom to show you are responsible?







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lenny

Activity

Sorting Responsible Acts

Objective

Students will work collaboratively to categorize actions into Responsible and Not Responsible groups, reinforcing their understanding of responsible behavior.

Materials

  • Responsibility Sorting Cards
  • Two mats or large paper areas per group labeled Responsible and Not Responsible
  • Optional: small timer or clock

Setup (2 minutes)

  1. Arrange students into small groups of 3–4.
  2. Give each group a shuffled set of Responsibility Sorting Cards and two mats.

Instructions (5 minutes)

  1. Say: “Remember, being responsible means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
  2. Model with one card: hold it up, think aloud whether it shows responsible behavior, and place it on the correct mat.
  3. Group Work: Start a 3-minute timer (optional). Groups sort all their cards into Responsible and Not Responsible.
  4. Teacher Circulates: Ask each group:
    • “Why did you place this card here?”
    • “Can you share another example of this behavior?”

Group Share (if time remains)

  • Invite one or two groups to pick one card from each category and explain their choices.
  • Offer clarifications and praise thoughtful explanations.

Teacher Tips

  • Encourage students to reference examples from the Responsibility Storybook.
  • Provide gentle guidance if a group seems stuck.
  • Highlight different ways responsibility can look.

Transition to Next Activity (Quick Scenario Match)

  • Collect cards and mats.
  • Gather students for the Quick Scenario Match game using the Responsibility Scenario Game Cards.
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lenny

Game

Quick Scenario Match

Time

3 minutes

Objective

Students will quickly decide if actions show responsible behavior by using thumbs up/thumbs down responses.

Materials

  • Responsibility Scenario Game Cards

Instructions

  1. Gather students in a circle or on the carpet.
  2. Hold up one scenario card from the Responsibility Scenario Game Cards and read it aloud.
  3. Ask students to show thumbs up if the scenario shows responsible behavior, or thumbs down if it does not.
  4. Select a few students to explain their thinking: “Why is this responsible (or not responsible)?”
  5. Provide quick feedback and clarification.
  6. Repeat with the remaining cards, keeping the pace brisk to maintain engagement.

Teacher Tips

  • Encourage students to reference Alex’s story examples.
  • Praise correct answers and gently correct misunderstandings.
  • Use this rapid game to reinforce the idea of “doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
lenny
lenny

Warm Up

Responsibility Charades

Time

5 minutes

Objective

Students will reinforce their understanding of responsibility by acting out and identifying responsible behaviors.

Materials

  • Responsibility Scenario Game Cards

Instructions

  1. Gather students in a circle and ask: “What does it mean to be responsible?”
  2. Explain: “We’ll play Responsibility Charades using our scenario cards. You’ll act out behaviors without speaking, and the class will guess what’s happening and decide if it shows responsibility.”
  3. Model with one card: hold it up, act silently, then reveal the card and ask, “Was that responsible? Why or why not?”
  4. Select three volunteers, one at a time. Each student picks a card, acts it out silently, and places it face down.
  5. Classmates guess the behavior and show thumbs up for responsible or thumbs down for not responsible, then explain their thinking.
  6. Thank each volunteer, reveal the card, confirm the answer, and provide quick feedback.

Teacher Tips

  • Encourage clear, expressive gestures to help classmates guess.
  • Support ELL students with simple prompts (“Show me feeding the dog,” etc.) and model language.
  • Rotate volunteers to give all students a chance over time.
  • Praise both creative acting and thoughtful reasoning about responsibility.
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lenny

Cool Down

Responsibility Reflection Drawing

Time

2 minutes

Objective

Students will reflect on one responsibility goal and illustrate it.

Materials

  • My Responsibility Reflection Sheet
  • Pencils or crayons

Instructions

  1. Hand out one My Responsibility Reflection Sheet and drawing tools to each student.
  2. Ask: “Think of one thing you can do today to be responsible in class or at home.”
  3. Have students draw a picture of that responsible action on their sheet.
  4. (Optional) Invite a few volunteers to share their drawings and explain their responsibility goal.

Teacher Tips

  • Encourage creativity and remind students that their drawing doesn’t have to be perfect.
  • Provide examples if students need ideas (e.g., feeding the class pet, returning library books).
  • Collect sheets to review at the start of the next session and celebrate students’ goals.
lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Lesson Plan

Students will explore how to be responsible at home by reading about chores, discussing what makes a chore responsible, sorting chores into categories, playing a quick responsibility game, and reflecting on one home task they can do.

Learning to be responsible at home builds independence, helps families run smoothly, and reinforces that responsibility applies beyond school.

Audience

1st and 2nd Grade Students

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Read, discuss, sort, play, reflect

Materials

  • Home Responsibility Storybook, * Home Chore Sorting Cards, * Responsibility Scenario Game Cards, * My Responsibility Reflection Sheet, and * Pencils or crayons

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print enough copies of the Home Responsibility Storybook for reading aloud.
  • Print and cut apart the Home Chore Sorting Cards.
  • Gather the Responsibility Scenario Game Cards.
  • Print one My Responsibility Reflection Sheet per student.
  • Review the story and cards to plan questions and model sorting examples.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Chore Charades

5 minutes

  • Ask: “What chores do you do at home?”
  • Explain: “We’ll play Chore Charades using our Home Chore Sorting Cards. You’ll act out a chore silently, and classmates will guess and decide if it’s a responsible chore.”
  • Model one: pick a card, act it out, then reveal and discuss why it shows responsibility.

Step 2

Reading: Home Responsibility Story

5 minutes

  • Gather students and show the Home Responsibility Storybook.
  • Read aloud, pausing to highlight chores Alex does at home and asking students to name those chores.

Step 3

Discussion: Chores and Responsibility

5 minutes

  • Ask: “Which chores from the story were responsible, and why?”
  • Record student responses on chart paper under “Responsible Chores.”
  • Follow-Up: “How do these chores help the family?” and “Which chore would you like to try?”

Step 4

Activity: Sorting Chores

5 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups; give each group Home Chore Sorting Cards and two mats labeled Responsible and Not Responsible.
  • Model one card: think aloud and place on the correct mat.
  • Groups sort the rest, with the teacher circulating to prompt reasoning (“Why did you place that chore here?”).

Step 5

Game: Quick Scenario Match

3 minutes

  • Using Responsibility Scenario Game Cards, hold up each card and read aloud.
  • Students show thumbs up if it’s a responsible home action, thumbs down if not.
  • Select volunteers to explain their choices and provide feedback.

Step 6

Cool-Down: Reflection Drawing

2 minutes

  • Distribute My Responsibility Reflection Sheet and crayons.
  • Ask: “Draw one thing you will do at home today to show responsibility.”
  • (Optional) Invite a few students to share their drawing and plan.
  • Collect sheets to revisit in the next session.
lenny

Lesson Plan

Responsibility Rally Lesson Plan

Students will identify and practice responsible behaviors at school and at home through interactive reading, charades, sorting activities, quick-response games, and reflection.

Responsibility helps students become independent learners, contribute positively at school and home, and build trust and cooperation in their communities.

Audience

1st and 2nd Grade Students

Time

55 minutes

Approach

Read, act, sort, game, reflect

Materials

  • Responsibility Storybook, * Home Responsibility Storybook, * Responsibility Sorting Cards, * Home Chore Sorting Cards, * Responsibility Scenario Game Cards, * My Responsibility Reflection Sheet, and * Two mats per group labeled “Responsible” and “Not Responsible”

Prep

Prepare Materials

20 minutes

  • Print enough copies of the Responsibility Storybook and Home Responsibility Storybook.
  • Print and cut apart the Responsibility Sorting Cards and Home Chore Sorting Cards.
  • Print copies of the Responsibility Scenario Game Cards.
  • Print one My Responsibility Reflection Sheet per student.
  • Prepare two sorting mats per group labeled Responsible and Not Responsible.
  • Review all stories, cards, and scenarios to plan prompts and model examples.

Step 1

Warm-Up: School Charades

5 minutes

  • Ask: “What does it mean to be responsible at school?”
  • Explain: “We’ll play charades using our Responsibility Scenario Game Cards. Act out each scenario silently; classmates guess the action and decide if it shows responsibility.”
  • Model one card: act, reveal, and discuss why it’s responsible.

Step 2

Reading: Responsibility Story

7 minutes

  • Gather students and show the Responsibility Storybook.
  • Read aloud, pausing to highlight Alex’s responsible actions at school and asking simple comprehension questions (e.g., “Why did Alex clean up without being asked?”).

Step 3

Discussion: School Responsibility

7 minutes

  • Ask: “What responsible actions did Alex take in the story?”
  • Record responses on chart paper under Responsible Behaviors at School.
  • Follow-Up: “How do these actions help classmates and the teacher?” and “Can you share a time you helped at school?”

Step 4

Activity: Sort School Behaviors

5 minutes

  • Divide into small groups; provide each group Responsibility Sorting Cards and two mats.
  • Model sorting one card: think aloud and place on Responsible or Not Responsible.
  • Groups sort remaining cards while you circulate and prompt: “Why this choice?”.

Step 5

Game: Quick School Match

3 minutes

  • Hold up each Responsibility Scenario Game Card and read aloud.
  • Students show thumbs up for responsible, thumbs down for not.
  • Invite a few students to explain their thinking and provide feedback.

Step 6

Transition: Linking to Home

3 minutes

  • Ask: “We saw how Alex and you can be responsible at school. How might responsibility look at home?”
  • Introduce the Home Responsibility Storybook and home chores sorting activity.

Step 7

Warm-Up: Home Chore Charades

5 minutes

  • Ask: “What chores do you do at home?”
  • Explain: “We’ll act out chores using Home Chore Sorting Cards. Classmates guess the chore and decide if it’s a responsible task.”
  • Model one: act, reveal, and discuss why it helps the family.

Step 8

Reading: Home Responsibility Story

5 minutes

  • Show the Home Responsibility Storybook and read aloud.
  • Pause to name Alex’s chores and ask: “How did these tasks show responsibility?”

Step 9

Discussion: Home Chores

5 minutes

  • Record chores on chart paper under Responsible Chores at Home.
  • Ask: “How do these chores help Alex’s family?” and “Which chore would you like to try?”

Step 10

Activity: Sort Home Chores

4 minutes

  • In groups, provide Home Chore Sorting Cards and mats.
  • Model sorting one card, then groups sort the rest.
  • Circulate to ask: “Why did you place this chore here?”

Step 11

Game: Quick Home Match

3 minutes

  • Use remaining Responsibility Scenario Game Cards.
  • Read each; students thumbs up/down for responsible home action.
  • Ask volunteers: “Why did you choose that?” and give praise or clarification.

Step 12

Cool-Down: Reflection Drawing

3 minutes

  • Hand out My Responsibility Reflection Sheet and crayons.
  • Ask: “Draw one thing you will do today at school or at home to show responsibility.”
  • (Optional) Invite a few to share their drawings.
  • Collect sheets to review and celebrate goals next time.
lenny

Game

Responsibility Scenario Game Cards

Use these cards for both charades and quick-match (thumbs up/thumbs down) games. Print each scenario on its own card (front only). Teacher key in parentheses is for guidance and can be omitted on student-facing cards.

School Scenarios

  1. You see a classmate drop a pencil and pick it up to hand it back. (Responsible)
  2. You leave toys on the floor after playtime. (Not Responsible)
  3. You water the classroom plant on your turn. (Responsible)
  4. You forget to return library books to the shelf. (Not Responsible)
  5. You quietly put away art supplies after using them. (Responsible)
  6. You scribble on the desk with a marker. (Not Responsible)

Home Scenarios

  1. You feed the family dog without being asked. (Responsible)
  2. You leave your dirty socks on the bedroom floor. (Not Responsible)
  3. You help set the dinner table before mealtime. (Responsible)
  4. You leave your dishes on the table after eating. (Not Responsible)
  5. You help your sibling clean up their spilled toys. (Responsible)
  6. You leave lights on in every room when you leave. (Not Responsible)
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lenny