Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement

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Resolutions
Lesson 1:
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Lesson
Handouts
Academic Standards
Philanthropy Framework
6th-8th Grade
Subjects:

Language Arts, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view
ELA: Group Discussions; Self Assessment; Survey
PHIL: Character; Character Education: Self-Discipline; Self-Discipline
SOC: Common Good

Purpose:

In this lesson the learners will discuss why some people are able to meet goals and some are not able to do so. They will also use a survey to determine a personal self-discipline score.

Duration:

One 20-minute lesson

Objectives:

The learner will:

  • discuss why some people are able to keep resolutions and some aren't able to keep them.
  • complete a survey to determine personal level of self-discipline.

Service Experience:

Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

This character education mini-lesson is not intended to be a service learning lesson or to meet the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. The character education units will be most effective when taught in conjunction with a student-designed service project that provides a real world setting in which students can develop and practice good character and leadership skills. For ideas and suggestions for organizing service events go to www.generationon.org.

Materials:

Student copies of Handout One: Personal Self-Discipline Survey

Handout 1
Personal Self-Discipline Survey

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:

Teacher: Did you know that each year more than half of all people living in the U.S. (more than 150,000,000 people) make New Year Resolutions?  The Top Ten resolutions are:

  1. Spend more time with family and friends
  2. Exercise
  3. Lose weight
  4. Quit smoking
  5. Enjoy life more
  6. Quit drinking
  7. Get out of debt
  8. Learn something new
  9. Help others
  10. Get organized

 How many of you have made a New Year resolution?  (Ask for a show of hands.)

Ask: Of those who make resolutions, what percentage of people do you think report that they are successful in keeping their resolution? (allow time for a few guesses) 

Twelve percent of those who make resolutions report that they have met their goal or kept their resolution. Does that surprise you? Why or why not?  In general, resolutions are for self-improvement purposes. Do you think it might benefit the common good, as well as the individuals, if more people were able to keep their resolutions? How?

In the next few days we are going to talk about a life management trait that is critical to becoming a successful adult: self-discipline [acting according to how you think rather than how you feel in the moment].

  • Tell the students that the first thing they will be doing is an assessment of their current level of self-discipline. Distribute Handout One: Personal Self-Discipline Survey.

Teacher: This survey is for your information only. You will not be asked to share any of your answers or your score. Please read the instructions. Are there any questions? Please complete the survey and compute your personal score.

  • When all the students are finished, ask for their reflections on taking the survey.
  • Ask the students to keep their self-discipline survey for use in future lessons.

Lesson Developed By:

Betsy Flikkema
Associate Director
Learning to Give

Barbara Dillbeck
Director
Learning to Give

Handouts:

Handout 1Print Handout 1

Personal Self-Discipline Survey

 

Choose the extent to which you agree or disagree with each statement by rating your responses on this 5-1 scale:
 
Strongly Agree          Agree                   Not Sure               Disagree            Strongly Disagree
5                              4                            3                               2                               1
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Rating
 
1.                  I keep promises I make to others.
2.                  My room is organized enough for me to find what I need.
3.                  I complete school assignments on time.
4.                  I am able to keep a secret when asked to do so.
5.                  I decide what I want to spend my money on and am able to save toward
that goal.
6.                  I am able to stay “cool headed” when something angers or upsets me.
7.                  I do not break school rules.
8.                  People can depend on me to do what I say I will do.
9.                  If friends want me to do something I know I shouldn’t do, I am able to walk
away.
10.             I shower/bathe on a regular basis.
11.             I eat healthy foods and get regular exercise.
12.             I keep the promises I make to myself.
13.             I could give up my cell phone, videos games, junk food, and/or T.V. for a week.
14.             I set a expectations for my day and can stick to them.
15.             I choose to attend school and to arrive on-time everyday.
16.             I do not cheat, even when the opportunity presents itself.
17.             I always do my personal best.
18.             I can start a challenging task and am able to stay focused on it until the task is completed.
19.             I don’t need to be reminded to do chores or homework.
20.             I usually don’t whine or complain.
 
Total Rating Points                          ___________
Total Points divided by 20 = Personal Self-Discipline Score                       ___________

Philanthropy Framework:

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