Module 2 Overview: Personal Power

Module Essential Question: “Why is taking responsibility my greatest superpower?”

In this module students reframe responsibility as response-ability. The ability to respond to any situation by taking charge of thoughts, emotions, and actions.  When we shame, make excuses, blame, or complain, we lose our power to influence our own lives.  It might feel good at the moment, but deferring ownership and accountability robs of the meaning and growth we need to live fulfilling lives.  Something might not have been our fault, but it is without a doubt, our responsibility to own the solution, because waiting for the world or someone to fix it, puts us in a waiting victim stance where life passes us by.  So who is in control of your life?

Course Description

• L1: Who is in control of my life?:  Lesson 1 allows students to explore situations where people have failed to take responsibility and how that caused more long term problems; additionally, how that made other situations more difficult to overcome.   
• L2: Why should I take responsibility for my life?:  Lesson 2 teaches students why taking responsibility for their actions will help them build their confidence and self-esteem. Students will take a responsibility self-assessment to gauge their current levels of ownership in various life areas.  They will then learn the definition of responsibility.  Students will also explain how irresponsibility can add up to have devastating consequences by outlining the future ramifications of certain seemingly innocuous actions.  
• L3: Why do people not take responsibility?:  In Lesson 3 students will identify the 5 top reasons why people fail to take responsibility for their actions and explore the psychological causes and implications of being irresponsible.  Students will explore a new paradigm that will catapult them to a more fulfilled and successful life:  Responsibility based on a set of strong core values that trumps fleeting emotions and peer pressure so they can make wise decisions and boost their self-esteem.
• L4: How to take charge of your life?:  In Lesson 4, students analyze the most responsible people they know in order to identify traits they possess and how that can improve their own lives if adopted.  Students will watch several small video clips to explore the life stories of several high achieving teens who have mastered the art of responsibilty to beat the odds.  They will gain inspiration and insights into how to become more responsible.  Finally, they will learn and apply four ways for becoming more responsible at home, school, personally and in their community.