ÒRespect: Keep It RealÓ

 

Jaynne A. Jacob

MSUM Intern 2001-02

Fairmont High School

Fairmont, MN

 

 

Description of the Lesson  (High School)

            The ÒRespect: Keep It Real,Ó lesson is derived from the SUNBURST Communications video series.  During this lesson, students will be viewing a 26-minute video, answering discussion questions throughout the video, and completing an activity worksheet to discuss in class.  This lesson will provide students with the opportunity to learn: why respect for self and others is important, how respect for self and others is shown, that the basis for respect is empathy and self-esteem, and how to build respect for self and others.

           

 ÒRespect: Keep It RealÓ Lesson

 

Time needed:  one class period

 

Materials needed:  handouts (pg. 18) of the Teachers Guide which accompanies the ÒRespect: Keep It RealÓ videotape.

 

Lesson Steps:

 

1.      Take the first few minutes to brainstorm with the class the definition of the word

ÒrespectÓ and describe incidents of disrespect that have lead to violent acts in society..

 

2.     Show the videotape ÒRespect: Keep It RealÓ (26 minutes).  This video is divided in three parts.  Each part shows a scenario of teens dealing with issues of respect.  At the end of each part, questions are provided for class discussion.  Call on a couple students to answer each question.  Part I addresses respect for feelings, Part II--respect for authority, and Part IIIÑrespect for self. 

 

3.     Have students complete handouts and discuss responses.  The handout consists of the following three questions:

 

I.               Write about a person you had a lot of respect for and how you lost that respectÉ

II.             Write about a person you respect highly and whyÉ

III.           Write about why all people deserve basic respectÉ

 

4.     Ask a few students to wrap up the lesson; encourage them to share a few things they have learned with this lesson.

 

 

 

Connections to Related Standards, Domains, and Competencies

 

            The ÒRespect: Keep It RealÓ lesson can be directly linked to the Minnesota Graduation Standards Learning Area 7 (People and Cultures).  Within Learning Area 7 (subpart 4Ñdiverse populations), students will be able to recognize the importance of diversity by identifying how race, culture, gender and disability influence beliefs, actions and world view.  Students will also gain knowledge of how data and experiences may be interpreted differently by people due to unique individual differences.  Respect for self and others is stressed as a vital component in society as most teen conflicts ending in violence are directly related to a feeling of not being respected.

            This lesson is also reflective of the personal/social domain of the Minnesota School Counselors Model of Developmental Guidance and Counseling.  Students have an opportunity to gain knowledge of how they gain respect from others, show respect to others, and show respect for themselves.  Students will explore the direct relationship between self-esteem and respect.  Finally, students will develop a better understanding of what it means to empathize with others and practice this skill to improve relationships with others. 

            Additionally, this lesson relates to the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee standards. Under the area Self -Knowledge: Competency 2 (skills to interact with others), students will be able to identify how people are unique, demonstrate effective skills for interacting with others and avoiding unnecessary conflicts, choose appropriate behaviors when peer pressure contradicts oneÕs beliefs, and demonstrate awareness of different cultures, lifestyles, attitudes, and abilities.         

 

References and Resources

           

Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning internet site: cfl.state.mn.us/GRAD/gradhom.htm.

National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee, internet site:  www.noicc.gov.

Rief, J.M., & Enestvedt, J.K. (1993). The Minnesota school counselorsÕ model of development guidance.  Publisher location unlisted: Minnesota School Counselors Association.

Robbins, J. (1996).  Respect: keep it real.  Pleasantville, NY: SUNBURST Communications.

 

For Further Information

 

Bob Bonk

Professional School Counselor

Fairmont High School

Fairmont, MN

Phone: (507) 238-4411

Fax:  (507) 235-4130

E-mail: bbonk@fairmont.k12.mn.us