Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 4

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Define responsible decision-making.
• Identify the steps for making a responsible decision.
• Apply these steps to solve everyday problems.
• Tell the difference between responsible and irresponsible choices.
• Understand how our decisions affect ourselves and others.

Lesson summary

Making decisions is something we do every day, from choosing what to wear to deciding what game to play. Some decisions are small and easy, while others are big and important. This week, we're going to learn about responsible decision-making. This means learning how to think carefully before making a choice, considering the consequences, and choosing the option that is best for ourselves and others around us. In South Africa, making responsible decisions is crucial for building strong communities, respecting diversity, and solving problems. Imagine you see someone being bullied; a responsible decision would be to find a teacher or an adult to help.

Lesson notes

What is Responsible Decision-Making? Responsible decision-making means thinking carefully about a problem or situation and choosing the best possible action. It involves considering the different options available, thinking about what might happen as a result of each choice (the consequences), and then choosing the option that is safest, fairest, and most helpful. It's about taking ownership of your actions and being accountable for them.

Steps in Responsible Decision-Making: Identify the Problem/Situation: What is the issue? Clearly understand what you need to make a decision about.

Example: You see someone being picked on by a group of children.

Consider Your Options: What are all the possible things you could do? Brainstorm different actions you could take.

Example: Option 1: Join in with the teasing.

Option 2: Ignore it and walk away.

Option 3: Tell the person doing the teasing to stop.

Option 4: Find a teacher or adult to help.

Evaluate the Consequences: What might happen if you choose each option? Think about both good and bad consequences for yourself and for others.

Example: Option 1 (Join in): You might get accepted by the group, but you will hurt the other person's feelings and be part of the problem. You may also get into trouble with a teacher.

Option 2 (Ignore it): You won't get in trouble, but the person being teased will continue to suffer, and you aren't helping.

Option 3 (Tell them to stop): They might listen, but they might also get angry with you. You are standing up for what is right.

Option 4 (Find an adult): The teasing will likely stop, and the person being teased will get help. The adults can help the bullies understand why their actions were wrong.

Make a Choice: Based on the consequences, choose the option that is most responsible. This might be the hardest choice, but it's often the right one.

Example: Option 4 (Find an adult) is the most responsible choice.

Reflect: After you've made your decision and taken action, think about what happened. Did your choice have the consequences you expected? What did you learn from the situation? This will help you make even better decisions in the future.

Example: Reflect on how you felt and how the person being teased reacted. You will probably feel good that you helped.

Important Considerations: Safety: Is anyone at risk of being hurt physically or emotionally?

Fairness: Is your decision fair to everyone involved?

Respect: Does your decision show respect for yourself and others?

Laws and Rules: Does your decision follow the rules of your school, home, and community?

Values: Does your decision align with your values and what you believe is right?

Worked example

Example 1: You want to buy a sweet at tuckshop, but you know your family needs money to buy mielie-meal.

Problem: You want a sweet, but your family needs the money for food.

Options: Buy the sweet, or save the money for mielie-meal.

Consequences: Buying the sweet will make you happy for a short time, but your family might not have enough food. Saving the money means you won't get the sweet now, but your family will have enough to eat.

Choice: Save the money for mielie-meal.

Reflection: You made a responsible choice that benefits your family.

Example 2: Your friend wants you to skip school to go to the river to swim.

Problem: Your friend wants you to skip school to swim in the river.

Options: Go swimming with your friend, or go to school.

Consequences: Going swimming is fun, but you will miss important lessons, get in trouble with your teacher and parents, and the river might be dangerous. Going to school means you will learn new things and stay safe.

Choice: Go to school.

Reflection: You made a responsible choice that prioritizes your education and safety.

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: You find a R20 note on the playground. What should you do? Use the steps of responsible decision-making.

Solution:

Problem: You found money, and it doesn't belong to you.

Options: Keep the money, or hand it in to the teacher.

Consequences: Keeping the money means you can buy something nice, but it's not yours, and the owner will be upset. Handing it in means you won't get to spend it, but you're doing the right thing, and the owner might be very grateful.

Choice: Hand it in to the teacher.

Reflection: You acted honestly and responsibly, which is a good thing.

Question 2: Your friend is telling lies about another classmate. What should you do? Use the steps of responsible decision-making.