Brenda F. Young
Dade County Public Schools
Miami, FL
89031

ELEMENTARY LEGAL FRAMEWORK (ELF) CONCEPT: Understand the rights and responsibilities of people as they conduct their daily lives in interaction with others.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVE: The student will be encouraged to think of responsible and irresponsible acts and their consequences, and design a way to become a more responsible individual and group member.

LRE Rx: 1. Student interaction/cooperative learning.

MATERIALS: Chart paper, school supply catalogs

MOTIVATING ACTIVITY: Read the story through a first time. Then read the story a second time instructing the students to listen for times Irene was irresponsible and to raise their hands when they hear an irresponsible act.

Irresponsible, Irate, Irene

Irene's mother tried to get her up early in time for school. Irene didn't want to get out of bed and stayed longer than she should have. When she did get up, she was quarrelsome, slow and irate! Since she was in such a bad mood, her mother left her alone. So, poor, miserable, irresponsible, irate Irene arrived late for school. She didn't report to the office for a tardy slip.

Instead, she went straight to her class. For the first time that day, she smiled. She smiled because there was a substitute teacher and she thought it was time for fun. Irene went directly to the wrong seat, a seat right next to a classmate she was sure would talk and have fun with her. Sure enough, Irene was corrected by the substitute teacher for talking, and sure enough, she blamed it on her classmate. She pouted when she had to move to her own seat. Everyone had a very bad, rotten day because Irene was not responsible for her actions.

LESSON:

Discuss:

1. Who were the people that were affected because Irene was irresponsible?

2. What happens when people are irresponsible? What are the effects on others?

3. Do you suppose Irene will develop into a good neighbor, a good citizen, a good worker? Why or why not?

Think-Pair-Share:

1. Think silently for two minutes about an irresponsible act such as someone's lack of respect for your property and how it affected you.

2. Pair with a partner and discuss. (two minutes)

3. Share with the total class. Discuss consequences of irresponsible behavior as well. (Depersonalize discussion by instructing the students to say, "Someone I know...".)

Group Work:

1. Instruct the students to discuss their responsibilities at school and then make a chart showing these responsibilities.

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

A.

B.

C.

2. Have them keep the chart as a group for a week and check off the responsibilities if the total group cooperated to achieve them.

3. Discuss how carrying out these responsibilities helped the class, and how cooperation helped in their group.

4. Discuss responsibilities adults have such as following the law and have them find a similar school responsibility such as following the rules. In small groups, help the students plan a Respect for Property Week. Include in the plan any feasible idea having to do with taking care of the school, school books, school grounds, etc. Discuss why it's everyone's responsibility to do this.

EVALUATION: Have the students complete the following thoughts in writing. (They may be able to think of several ideas for each.)

BEING RESPONSIBLE

I need to improve __________________. I can help myself by __________________.

I have a dream that all of the children in my class and in this school will ______________. I can help by _________________.

When I am responsible for my own actions and when I do the work I'm responsible for, I feel _______________.

FOLLOW-UP:

1. Have students make posters.

Draw "Wanted" posters. Example: Wanted--a friend who respects my property.

Draw "theme" posters. Example: Words to live by: Respect and Concern!

2. Provide students with school equipment catalogs. Divide class into small groups and have them determine the cost of the equipment in the room. Ask them where the money comes from and discuss the importance of taking care of school equipment.

3. Have students plan a "Respect for the Law Week" and invite a police officer as an honored guest.