October's "Word of the Month": Responsibility
Guidance Lessons
(2014-2015)
Please click here for the: Responsibility lesson memo for parents
Below is the "I" Message template which each classroom has. Family members can practice with each other, too.
(2013-2014)
Our "Word of the Month" for October is "Responsibility". We define responsibility as "doing the things that need to be done and making positive choices with our words and actions". During this month we talk about how we are responsible for what we say and do and how we have control over these aspects of ourselves. We remember that "we have the power" to make good choices. We understand that sometimes when we feel strong emotions like mad, sad, excited, etc. it may be hard to still make responsible choices. We practice "calming strategies" such as taking deep breaths and positive self-talk which we can use in these situations so that we can still make responsible choices.
K and 1st Grades:
Discuss our "responsibilities" or our "jobs" here at school (following rules, trying our best, taking care of our things, etc.). Discuss how we feel proud of ourselves when we act responsibly. Kindergarten and first grade students are taught how to "keep cool" when we feel like we might not make a responsible choice. Students are taught how to take deep breaths the correct way (deep breath in through the nose, slowly out through the mouth) by pretending to smell our (pretend) flower and then blowing it's petals away. Students are taught how this "deep breathing" trick helps to calm down our bodies and minds. We play a fun self-control game, first without taking deep breaths, and then a second time while we take deep breaths. We notice the difference it makes when we are choosing to keep ourselves calm and "responsible" for our actions.
2nd and 3rd Grades:
Brainstorm what our "responsibilities" or our "jobs" are in different parts of the school (walk to class - not run, keep our desk organized, copy down homework, throw away trash at lunch, etc.). Reinforce already learned concepts of "keeping cool" during times when it might be hard to make responsible choices with our words and actions. Go over how to take "deep breaths" in the correct way and why this helps. Add "positive self-talk" as another calming strategy. Students learn how to tell themselves to "keep cool", "it's not a big deal", "I can walk away", etc. when in difficult situations. Students break into groups and role-play various situations in which they might find it hard to make responsible choices. Students show that they are using deep breaths and positive self-talk to "stay cool" during these situations before they act. Then students display the "responsible" way to handle these encounters.