Self-honesty as an Antidote to Excuses: A Grade 1 SEL Lesson

Making excuses might seem convenient to evade responsibility or consequences, but the satisfaction derived from this is often short-lived. In the long run, making excuses damages relationships since the person on the other end feels they are not valued or trusted. Furthermore, this practice leads to a lack of personal growth since it does not encourage individuals to take ownership of their mistakes or learn from them. Continuing to make excuses often leads individuals to be trapped in a Negative Thoughts-Actions-Feelings Circle.

In this SEL lesson, first graders learn and practice self-awareness skills to help them realize that the consequences of making excuses are not worth it. Maurice the Mouse, a recurring character, introduces the topic by talking about how he and his cousin Marrott are learning to take responsibility for their actions, just like the students.

To illustrate the perils of excuses, the class listens to the story of Gilford Munderson, a boy notorious for conjuring elaborate excuses. Gilford's knack for spinning tales involving ghosts and whimsical winds serves as his ticket out of chores assigned by his mother.

In a surprising turn, Gilford's mother concocts an excuse that perplexes him. She claims a piano fell on her head, resulting in a headache that requires him to help clean the house. Gilford questions the plausibility of her story, to which his mother responds by reminding him of his tendency to spin tall tales.

Gilford's story sparks a conversation on the significance of self-honesty. The students engage in an interactive session where they explore the various ways they can channel their imagination constructively rather than using it as a tool to escape responsibility. The class collectively ponders the outcomes of practicing self-honesty and its positive effects on one's self-concept and interactions with others.

As the lesson deepens, the teacher highlights the multifaceted nature of excuses. Not only do they enable individuals to shirk responsibility in the eyes of others, but they also serve as a self-deception tool. For example, an individual may make excuses to put off tasks and later make more excuses when faced with the consequences of procrastination.

Toward the end of the lesson, the class goes through the Positive Thoughts-Actions-Feelings Circle that results from practicing self-honesty instead of making excuses. By admitting to their actions and taking responsibility, individuals set a series of positive outcomes in motion. They foster a healthy self-concept and feel good about themselves.

This Positive Action lesson on truth-telling creates a profound shift in perspective among the first graders. The notion that making excuses is a self-defeating endeavor takes root in them, replaced by a desire for self-growth and authenticity. They learn how avoiding personal responsibility can be a disservice and openly admitting mistakes can become a source of growth. Ultimately, the lesson creates an increased sense of self-empowerment among the students and encourages them to live honest and reflective lives.