Lesson 221: Being responsible

❤️ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (40 Lessons) • 🟡 C. Making Good Choices

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Objective

I can explain what it means to be responsible. I can give examples of how I can be responsible with my jobs, my belongings, and my words at home and at school.

Materials

Mini-lesson — What does it mean to be responsible?

Being responsible means trying your best to do what you said you would do. It means people can count on you.

Responsible children often…

  • Finish small jobs like putting toys away.
  • Take care of their things, like bags, books, and jackets.
  • Listen to adults and follow simple rules.
  • Try to remember routines, like brushing teeth or packing the bag.

Example 1 — Morning routine

  • Job: put on clothes, eat breakfast, brush teeth.
  • Responsible choice: do each step in order, with a little reminder if needed.
  • Result: you are ready on time and feel proud.

Example 2 — Classroom job

  • Job: be the line leader or help pass out books.
  • Responsible choice: listen carefully, move safely, and finish the job.
  • Result: the class moves smoothly and others can trust you.

Belongings and shared spaces

  • Responsible children look after their toys, books, and devices.
  • They tidy up when they finish playing or working.
  • They try not to leave messes for others to fix.

When we forget

  • Everyone forgets sometimes. Responsibility grows with practice.
  • We can still be responsible by:
    • Admitting we forgot.
    • Fixing the problem (tidying, re-doing a job).
    • Trying a small reminder, like a picture list.

Adults can say: "Being responsible does not mean perfect. It means you try, fix mistakes, and keep growing."

Picture strip: "I can be responsible"

Guided Practice — My responsible day

You and an adult will build a simple picture chart of a responsible day.

  1. On a notebook page, draw three boxes in a row and label them: Morning, School, Home time.
  2. In the Morning box, the adult helps the child think of one responsible action, such as "I get dressed and put my pajamas in the basket." Draw a small picture and add a simple label.
  3. In the School box, choose another responsible action, such as "I put my book back in my bag" or "I listen to the teacher." Draw and add a label.
  4. In the Home time box, choose a home job, such as "I help put toys away" or "I put my shoes where they belong." Draw and label it.
  5. Under the boxes, write or trace the sentence: "I can be responsible all day."
  6. Practise telling the story of your responsible day to the adult. The adult can ask: "How would things feel if you did not do that job?" and "How do things feel when you do it?"
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: As you trace, say a sentence such as "I can be responsible with my jobs and my things."

Practice — Responsibility stars

Use this practice to help your child see where they are responsible and choose one small job to grow.

  1. On a new page, draw three big stars and label them: "Myself", "Home", and "School".
  2. In the Myself star, write or trace one way the child is responsible with their own body or time, such as "I brush my teeth" or "I go to bed on time". Add a simple picture.
  3. In the Home star, add one home job, such as "I put toys away" or "I carry my plate to the sink".
  4. In the School star, add one classroom job or routine, such as "I hang up my bag" or "I listen when others speak".
  5. Talk together: "Which of these stars feels easiest for you?" and "Which one feels trickiest?"
  6. Draw a small circle around the responsible action they want to practise more this week. This becomes their "responsibility star" goal.

Quick Check — Being responsible

Answer each question about responsible choices with jobs, routines, and belongings.

1) What does it mean to be responsible?

Being responsible means others can count on you to try your best.

2) Which is a responsible choice at home?

Putting toys away shows responsibility at home.

3) Which is a responsible choice at school?

Doing your job and listening in class shows responsibility.

4) Your adult says, "Please feed the pet now." What shows responsibility?

Doing the job you were given is being responsible.

5) Which sentence best matches taking care of belongings?

Putting things away shows you care for your belongings.

6) You forget to do your job. What is a responsible next step?

Fixing the problem and trying again are part of responsibility.

7) Which promise is a responsible one for a child?

Small, real promises help children practise responsibility.

8) How might you feel inside after doing a responsible job?

Responsibility often brings a feeling of pride.

9) When is a good time to ask an adult for help with responsibility?

Adults can help you break big jobs into smaller, safe steps.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

The goal is to grow responsibility gently with practice.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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