Dear Abby: An SEL Kernels Practice for Fifth Grade

Note: Click here to download and print a card version of this practice that can be added to the other SEL Kernels practices to make an easy-to-use hand-held collection. See the Brain Games pack for additional activities.

The Big Idea

• We all have different ideas about how to solve problems, and that’s okay—there are many effective ways to solve a problem. We’re going to imagine situations, brainstorm what the options are, and identify what we like or don’t like about them. Talking about these choices will help us make decisions in the future when problems arise.

Instructions

• Choose a dilemma from the Dear Abby Library.
• Choose one of these activities: Small Group Discussion, Role-Play, Agreement Continuum, or create your own. (See “Activity Options” below for more information.)
• Say The Big Idea (above) and read the dilemma to the class.
• Follow these prompts to have a discussion:
  • Describe the dilemma and why it’s a dilemma. Ask, “What makes this tricky?”
  • Brainstorm some options and their outcomes.
  • Ask, “What do you like and not like about these options? Why?”
  • Finish with a discussion of good solutions that have been brought up. Talk about why some options might be better for some than others.

Must do

• Ensure everyone has a chance to participate.
• Keep questions and conversations open-ended; there does not need to be a right answer.

Can adapt

• Use stories from books, a dilemma that arises in the classroom, or other academic materials.

Activity options

• Fifth grade is a time to explore others’ perspectives on the dilemma and to be able to incorporate multiple perspectives into an understanding of the dilemma. Help students to consider how choices can vary based on experience and context. Use current events, news stories, and podcasts to bring relevant examples into the classroom.
• Small Group Discussion: Ask groups of 3 – 4 students to discuss the dilemma and potential solutions in a group. Feel free to assign roles to them, such as the discussion leader (who makes sure everyone participates and that the group stays on track); the questioner (who asks questions to help the group think of the different ways to approach the dilemma); the recorder (who writes down potential solutions); and the speaker (who shares the group’s solution with the class during the whole group discussion). As time allows, ask groups to share their solutions with the class.
• Role-Play: Ask students to pair up and role play what the different dilemmas and solutions might look like. As time allows, have a few pairs perform for the class.
• Agreement Continuum: Create a space in your room for an Agreement Continuum. This can either be represented using different points along the front or back wall or by a line on the floor (e.g., using a long piece of colored tape) with one end representing “Strongly Agree” and the other end representing “Strongly Disagree.” Before you play, have a whole group discussion about potential solutions. Choose one solution, and have students stand at a point along the line that shows how strongly they agree with that solution. Ask them to share why they feel that way.

After the activity, debrief

• Have you been in a similar situation before? What did you do? How did you feel about the choice you made?
• What’s the difference between imagining choices for a character and facing a dilemma in real life?
• What are the different factors you considered when thinking about solutions?
• What other information might you need to better understand the dilemma and the solutions that are possible?
• How do you think other characters in the scenario see the situation? Would they see it the same way or differently? Why?

Tips for success

• Use pictures or role play to support emergent bilingual learners. Allow students who speak the same language to brainstorm together before sharing with the class.
• Consider whether the scenario you choose might be uncomfortable or difficult for any of the students. Talk with the student in advance or choose a different scenario.

Source

This practice is part of the SEL Kernels project developed by the EASEL Lab at Harvard University.

Evidence That It Works

Research shows that implementing character education programs in schools yields a number of positive results, including higher academic achievement, fewer suspensions as well as dropouts, and fewer risk behaviors of students.

Why Does It Matter?

Character is considered to encompass understanding, caring about, and acting upon core ethical values such as respect, justice, citizenship, and responsibility for self and others. It also frequently includes the values and habits required to be a good worker and perform to one’s highest potential, such as perseverance, diligence, and self-control.

More than simply holding prosocial ethical and performance values, displaying strong character requires taking the initiative to act upon those values and having the perseverance to follow through on them when faced with ethical, interpersonal, and personal challenges. In many ways, character can be understood as a complex construct that marshals underlying cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal skills to produce and guide ethical thoughts and behaviors.