The Character Issue: Responsibility

SLO Classical Academy’s mission is to be a community that forges character, fosters wisdom, and nurtures a lifelong passion for learning.

Welcome to the first Character Issue of the 2020/2021 school year. Each month we will introduce the character trait of the month and offer insight into how we can be “forging” that trait at home. This will include inspirational quotes, discussion prompts, and activities to help you engage in meaningful conversations with your family about these traits. To “forge” means “to form, with a concentrated effort”. Character does not just happen. We are responsible for nurturing and cultivating these traits in our students and ourselves. Check your parent packet for a list of the character traits and the month they will be highlighted. You’ll find a definition as well as a helpful and easy to memorize catchphrase. September is all about responsibility.

Responsibility:

Basing decisions on practical wisdom and good sense, being dependable in carrying out commitments and duties, and being accountable for one’s words, behavior, and actions.

Catch Phrase:

Think before you act; finish what you begin; take responsibility for yourself.

Forging Responsibility:

Here are some discussion prompts and ideas. Use them as a jumping-off point to help you nurture responsibility at home.

• The SLOCA definition of responsibility is jam-packed. Start by breaking it down with your students. Make sure they understand words like “dependable” and “accountable”. For younger students, it might be best to just start by discussing the catchphrase. Ask them what does it mean to “think before you act”? How can they practice that?
• What kind of responsibilities does your student have; chores, homeschool, pets, etc.? Make a list; this can help them to see that even kids have responsibilities.
• Ask them if they consider themselves dependable? What can they do to be more so or how can you help them/support them?
• Why is it important to finish what you begin?
• What does it look like to take responsibility for yourself?
• Where does one get “practical wisdom and good sense”?
• Acknowledge/identify when you see your kids being responsible. “Thank you for cleaning out your lunch box.” or “You got that assignment done before you went to play. That was very responsible of you.”

Check out these fun posters made by our Videographer Intern and SLOCA grad, Josh Ronda. Click the link for a printable version to use at home. Responsibility

Be sure to check back next Wednesday for Teaching Character Through Literature. Our school librarian, Nicole Durrant shares with us excellent book suggestions for assisting in teaching responsibility.