Responsibility

This month we are talking about Responsibility. One way to define Responsibility is “taking action and understanding the impact of our choices.” Taking action can mean doing the right thing or completing the tasks you have been assigned. Understanding the impact of our choices means that our actions matter. Positive and responsible actions can help people and irresponsible actions can hurt others. Responsibility is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Strong. Throughout the school, students will be developing skills like focusing, organizing, and goal-setting.

Lighthouse - A Responsibility Project Film

Michael Jordan on Responsibility

Fulfillment: the achievement of something desired or promised

Michael Jordan is the “greatest of all time” at the sport. He didn’t make the basketball team his first try in high school, and he practiced Responsibility by training hard and trying again – finally making the team and scoring many points. As a professional player, he was Responsible to his teammates and the city of Chicago, staying to play for the Chicago Bulls for 15 years and inspiring the entire nation to work hard and be great.

What is something you care about? How are loyalty and Responsibility connected?

What do you get back when you practice Responsibility?

The Dali Lama on Responsibility

Elect: to choose one for a role through a vote

Dalai Lamas are important leaders in Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama is supposed to lead the government of Tibet, but he was forced out of Tibet by the Chinese government. He kept his Responsibility to his people by creating a new society in India that practices their culture and he travels the world sharing his wisdom with others.

What is something you wish your teacher or school leader would do differently? How can you help make change happen?

What is a job that you have in your classroom that is only yours as an individual? What is a Responsibility shared by others with you?

Fred Rogers on Responsibility

Community: a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

Fred Rogers was an American television personality, musician, puppeteer, writer, producer, and minister. He was known as the creator, composer, producer, head writer, showrunner and host of the television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Fred felt that all people were important and needed support and tools to process their feelings, feel seen and loved, and be helpful members of their community. He created Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood to help young children develop these tools and practice habits like Responsibility.

Think about your classroom community; what Responsibility do you have to your class? Think about your Responsibility to your materials, your classmates, and your teacher.

How can you show Responsibility for the larger world? Who is one of your heroes? How do they practice Responsibility?

Following Directions

Short fun video about the Responsible Characteristic Following Directions.

Get Organized and get more Responsible!

Responsible Library

Books that demonstrate and discuss Responsibility to read with your child!

Code 7

by Bryan R Johnson

Throughout the book, each character learns an important lesson about themselves when faced with a challenge. At the end of the book, you are left with 7 code words from each character’s story that can help to make a life epic! Working together to accomplish a goal takes teamwork and Cooperation.

You Can't Judge a Book by its Cover

by Judge Judy Sheindlin

Walk through the different scenarios and choose the outcome that will best stretch your Responsibility muscle.

Jupiter Storm

by Marti Dumas

Ten-year-old Jackie excels at being in charge. Her skills keep everything from gardens to five unruly brothers in line. So, when a curious chrysalis appears in Jackie’s front yard, she naturally decides to take charge of it. The creature that emerges is not like anything Jackie has ever seen, and she soon realizes that she must protect it at all costs, even from her own family.

Subway Sparrow

by Leyla Torres

An English-speaking girl, a Spanish-speaking man, and a Polish-speaking woman might not be able to converse, but when a sparrow trapped in their subway car needs help, their common concern bridges the language barriers between them.

The Whispering Town

by Jennifer Elvgren

This story shows how townspeople can work together with whispers to help a fleeing family during the Holocaust.

What if Everybody Did That?

by Ellen Javernick

Readers explore the consequences of their actions by exploring the question, “what if everybody did that?” This book particularly explores how children can show Respect for their community and the environment.

That Fruit is Mine

by Anuska Allepuz

5 elephants learn the power of teamwork from mice that work together to accomplish the goal of getting fruit from a tall tree!

The Juice Box Bully

by Maria Dismondy

A class community makes a commitment to one another: when a student is found bullying, the students become upstanders and support both the student being bullied and the student doing the bullying.

The Little Red Hen

by Philemon Sturgess

In this version of the age-old fable, the Little Red Hen is about to make a pizza, but will she be able to get any of her friends to help her?