Balancing Responsibilities

In a busy and ever-changing world, balancing responsibilities is an essential skill in order to keep commitments and maintain trustworthiness.

Grade Level: 6-12

Character Skills

Responsibility
Trustworthiness

SEL Skills

Self-Management

Definitions

Responsibility

Do what you are supposed to do. Try your best.
Persevere. Keep on trying.
Be self-disciplined.
Think before you act. Consider the consequences.
Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes.

Trustworthiness

Be honest. Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal.
Have integrity. Do what you say you’ll do.
Keep your promises.
Be loyal. Stand by your values.

Self-Management

Regulate emotions, attitudes, and actions, and manage negative emotions and impulses.

Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.

Share This Activity

This lesson will focus on organization tips to help students balance their responsibilities and why it is so important. Students will consider how their organizational habits impact their lives and character, and work together to identify ways they can use organization to balance their responsibilities.

Materials/Preparation

Chart paper (one sheet for each group)
Markers/writing utensils

Instructions

Show video: “Organization for the Chronically Disorganized.”
Have students consider the following quote from Lao Tzu and discussion questions independently, and then with an elbow partner.

“Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”

- What does this quote teach about the impact of your habits?
- What does this quote say about being trustworthy in your commitments?
- How does this quote relate to prioritizing and organizing things in your life?

Activity
Write the following questions on chart paper and invite students to write their answers on the chart paper. After everyone has written an answer, ask students to put a star next to an idea that they think will help them to be more trustworthy and organized.
- Question 1: How can you go about getting/staying organized this year
- Question 2: How can you focus on being more trustworthy in your commitments through organization.

Discussion Prompts

Discuss what items received the most stars on the chart paper. Talk about the patterns. Why were those items starred the most?
What kinds of commitments are difficult to prioritize? Why?
We may have the best of intentions, but sometimes, we forget a commitment or something happens that prevents us from following through on the commitment. What can you do to show good character in those moments and learn from your mistake?

Student Reflection

Who is someone you can hold you accountable to be organized?
How does organization help build your character?
Finish the sentence: I will show that I am trustworthy and responsible by … (finish sentence with something you will do to be more organized).