Teaching Responsible Decision Making with Diverse Literature
Responsible decision making is defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as “the ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety concerns, and social norms.”
We need to teach students that all components and consequences of a potential decision must be considered before a choice is made.
Students need to develop skills in recognizing when they have a problem, being able to analyze the problem by looking at it from different point of views, and solving a problem after they have explored options and consequences of each option. They also must be able to reflect on their choice, so they can think about what went will and how they can improve.
These books have characters who are working towards understanding the positive and negative consequences of their actions, and making choices they are proud of.
For You are a Kenyan Child by Kelly Cunnane
This is the most charming story of a day in the life of a Kenyan child. A young boy forgets his responsibility of looking after his grandfather’s cows when he visits everyone in the village. When he returns to the cows they have gone. He is left with a dilemma he must solve.
Youtube Version
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A Day’s Work by Eve Bunting
In this beautiful story about family and multigenerational relationships, a Mexican-American boy and his grandfather, who struggles to speak English and find work, reconnect through gardening.
Francisco, a young Mexican-American boy, doesn't know how to connect with his grandfather who doesn't doesn't speak English. But when the opportunity to help his grandfather find a job comes along, Francisco helps his grandfather learn about gardening. They get to learn about gardening, and each other, along the way.
YouTube Version
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A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
After a fire destroys their home and possessions, Rosa, her mother, and grandmother save and save until they can afford to buy one big, comfortable chair that all three of them can enjoy.
YouTube Version
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Babu’s Song by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
Bernardi lives with his grandfather, Babu, who supports them by making toys. Bernardi wishes he could go to school, but they can't afford it. When a tourist offers a handsome price for the music box Babu gave him as a present, Bernardi regretfully sells it, giving the money to Babu. Babu uses the money to pay for his grandson's school, and he starts working on a new music box. The book's sensitive text and endearing illustrations capture the tender relationship between a child and his grandfather.
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The Herd Boy by Niki Daly
Malusi is a herd boy, which means that he must look after his grandfather’s sheep and goats and protect them from harm on the grazing slopes. This is a big job for a small boy and one Malusi does well. Still, he dreams of being more than a herd boy. He wants to be president!
When Malusi mentions these hopes, his friend Lungisa laughs and laughs. But after an attack by a hungry baboon and an encounter with Nelson Mandela, Malusi wonders if his dream isn’t so impossible after all…
Youtube Version
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The Paper Boy by Dav Pilkey
Inspired by Dav Pilkey's own experiences as a paperboy, this book tells the story of a paperboy and his dog as they deliver newspapers in the early hours of the morning.
They wake up in the morning and go on their route. The boy and his dog wake up even when it is cold and hard to get out of bed. They eat breakfast together, pack the paperboy’s bag full of newspapers, and go out on their route. They both know the route by heart.
The boy thinks about big things and small things while he is on his route. He and his dog are the happiest when the world is asleep and they are the only ones awake. When all the papers have been delivered, the boy and his dog head home and go back to sleep.
YouTube Version
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Love Is by Diane Adams
This book tells the heartwarming story of a little girl and a duckling, who both grow to understand what it means to care for each other as they learn that love is as much about letting go as it is about holding on. A little girl finds a duckling who has wandered away from the park onto the city streets, and takes it home to care for it. The baby duck requires constant attention—early morning feedings, bathing, and tidying—until the time comes to say goodbye. When her pet has grown too big for the bath, the girl takes the full-grown duck back to the pond. Afterward, she misses it and wonders if it remembers her. One day, the duck comes back—with six ducklings of her own.
Youtube Version
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The Tunnel by Anthony Browne
This is the story of a brother and sister who were complete opposites and constantly fought and argued. One day they discovered the tunnel. The boy goes through it at once, dismissing his sister's fears. When he doesn't return his sister has to find the courage to go through the tunnel too.
Youtube Version
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Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears: A West African Tale by Verna Aardema
This is the story of a mosquito who whispers a tall tale into the ear of an iguana. The iguana, not wanting to hear such nonsense, plugs his ears with sticks. The iguana fails to hear the python call to him. The python assumes that the iguana is angry with him and plotting some mischief. This causes the python to hide in a rabbit hole which disturbs the rabbit. This chain of events goes until a baby owl is killed as a result of the confusion. The King Lion tries to resolve the problem of who killed the baby owl, and the antics of the animals are then unraveled. The end of the story finds the animals angry with the mosquito, who was responsible for causing all of the chaos in the first place. To this day, the mosquito buzzes in people's ears as if to say "Zeee! Is everyone still angry with me?”
Youtube Version
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Crow Boy by Taro Yashima
In this book, a shy Japanese boy having difficulty adjusting to school is misjudged by his classmates. Chibi has been an outcast since that frightening first day of school when he hid under the schoolhouse. Afraid of the teacher and unable to make any friends, Chibi passes his free time alone — alone at study time, alone at playtime, always a "forlorn little tag-along." But when Mr. Isobe arrives, the teacher sees things in Chibi that no one else has ever noticed.
YouTube Version
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More Resources to Encourage Students to Grow in Their Ability to Make Responsible Decisions:
Find a complete unit, with appealing printouts and graphic organizers here.
Find more information about all the above resources here.
Thank you so much for taking the time to check out the blog today. I hope you found this post worthwhile.
If you would like to connect further, feel free to leave a comment on this post or send me an email. I will be sure to get back to you in a timely fashion.
Yours truly,
Jennifer
