By Rebecca K. Fraker NAD Teacher Bulletin 13 September 2013

Our lives are all affected by the action of other people. We affect other people by our actions. All actions have consequences. Some are small and barely noticeable. Some are huge and world changing. Some trigger a chain of events.

Divide into small groups. In this activity, you will look at some actions and brainstorm about possible consequences. Then decide whether the actions are positive or negative.

Examine this action: ACTION:POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES: I ran into a busy road without thinking... I get hit by a car and die. I get hit and I am severely injured. All the cars miss me, but the drivers are very mad at me. I get hurt but only slightly. Can you think of others?

What happens next? Action Possible Consequence I whisper a funny joke to my friend while the teacher is talking... My brother hits me really hard... Dad told me to come home at 8 pm, but I stayed out until I studied hard and got an award in a subject when I was a senior in high school... Another student called me names day after day... Every day for a year I stopped and took my elderly rich neighbor’s dog for a walk... I cross a line and run into a burning building...

Each group should report to the class the outcome of their discussion. Our actions can have positive and negative consequences. It is important to behave in a way that has positive consequences, whenever possible. Try to always think before you speak or act!

Practice—Part I Negative Actions Split into groups of four or five. Choose a scenario and perform a short skit based on one of the following scenarios: A handicapped child is bullied and shoved around by other students. A girl says she wants to be an electrician, and other students laugh and make fun of her. A new student is a member of a religion that is seen as odd or threatening by other students.

Practice: Part 2 Postive Actions Can Make Changes Now perform the skits again. This time, have a student or two intervene with a positive statement or action. Discuss how a key person or two can completely turn a situation around.