Minding Your Business Lesson Plan Minding Your Business?
Classroom Tier 1 SEL Lesson Plan
Duration 30 min
Audience
3rd Grade Students
Approach
Discussion & Practice
Focus
Personal Responsibility
Objective
Students will define "minding your own business" and identify situations where it applies, practicing strategies to focus on their own actions and responsibilities.
Preparation
•
Review the Slide Deck and Script to familiarize yourself with the flow.
•
Print copies of the My Business, Your Business Worksheet for each student.
•
Ensure projector/interactive whiteboard is ready.
Materials
Minding Your Business? Slide Deck
Minding Your Business? Script
My Business, Your Business Worksheet
Why this lesson?
This lesson helps students build self-awareness and respect for others, leading to a more harmonious classroom and fewer unnecessary conflicts.
Lesson Instructions
1. Introduction: What's Your Business?
5 min
Begin by asking students what they think "minding your own business" means. Encourage various responses and write down key phrases on the board. Refer to Slides 1-2 and the Script for specific hook questions.
2. Exploring Examples
10 min
Present scenarios using Slides 3-6. For each scenario, ask students to discuss if it is their business or not using the thumb signals described in the Script. Focus on the "why" behind their reasoning.
3. Independent Practice
10 min
Distribute the My Business, Your Business Worksheet. Explain that they will read scenarios and decide if it's "my business" or "not my business." Circulate to provide support. Briefly review a few examples as a class after completion.
4. Wrap-Up: Key Takeaways
5 min
Bring the class back together. Ask students to share one thing they learned. Reiterate the main message: focusing on your own actions helps everyone. Refer to Slide 7 for final remarks.
Minding Your Business Slides Minding Your Business?
What do you think this means? Why is it important?
3rd Grade SEL
What's YOUR Business?
It means focusing on...
1
Your actions
2
Your choices
3
Your responsibilities
...and letting others take care of theirs unless you need to help or a rule is being broken.
Scenario 1: Loud Talkers
Discussion
Imagine two classmates are talking very loudly during quiet reading time. It's distracting you.
Is this YOUR business to fix?
YES
NO
Be ready to explain why!
Scenario 2: Snacks
Discussion
Your friend brought a snack you don't really like today. You think they should have brought something else.
Is this YOUR business to comment on?
Scenario 3: Crayon Mess
Discussion
You see a classmate's crayons spilled all over their desk, making a big mess. They don't seem to notice.
Is this YOUR business to clean up or point out?
Tricky Territory!
Is there a difference between helping and interfering?
Scenario 4: Breaking Rules
Discussion
You see a student kicking another student's backpack under the table, even after being asked to stop.
Is this YOUR business to address?
Why It Matters!
Stay focused on YOUR work!
Avoid arguments and drama.
Show respect to others.
Feel calmer and happier!
Superpower for Peace
By minding your own business, you make the classroom better for everyone!
Minding Your Business Script Lesson Script
Minding Your Business?
SLIDE 1
Introduction: What's Your Business? (5 min)
CUE: Display Slide 1 - "Minding Your Business?"
"Good morning, everyone! Take a look at our lesson title today: Minding Your Business? That sounds a little interesting, doesn't it? What do you think that phrase means? When someone says, 'mind your own business,' what are they trying to say? Turn and talk with a partner for about 30 seconds and share your initial thoughts."
Allow students to discuss. Bring them back together.
"Alright, let's hear some ideas! Who would like to share what they discussed? What does 'minding your own business' mean to you?"
Listen to student responses and affirm good ideas. Transition to Slide 2.
SLIDE 2
What's YOUR Business? (3 min)
CUE: Display Slide 2 - "What's YOUR Business?"
"Great ideas, everyone! To put it simply, minding your own business means focusing on your actions, your choices, and your responsibilities. It's about taking care of what you need to do and letting others take care of what they need to do. It also means not getting involved in things that don't concern you, unless someone needs help or a rule is being broken."
"Why do you think it might be important for us to mind our own business, especially here at school? What good can come from it?"
Allow sharing, connecting it to a peaceful classroom.
Exploring Examples (10 min)
"Now, let's look at some examples and practice deciding if something is 'my business' or 'not my business.' We're going to see a scenario, and I want you to think about it. You can give me a thumbs up if you think it's something you should get involved in, or a thumbs down if you think it's better to let it be. Be ready to explain your thinking!"
Slide 3: Scenario 1 - Loud Talkers
"Imagine two classmates are talking very loudly during quiet reading time. It's distracting you. Is this your business to fix? Thumbs up or thumbs down? Why?"
Teacher Tip: While it affects them, is it their role to confront? Guide them to consider telling the teacher or politely asking for quiet if they are close friends.
Slide 4: Scenario 2 - Snacks
"Your friend brought a snack you don't really like today. You think they should have brought something else. Is this your business to comment on? Thumbs up or thumbs down? Why?"
Teacher Tip: This is not their business. It's about personal preference and respect for others' choices.
My Business Your Business Worksheet My Business, Your Business?
Focusing on what I can control!
Name:
Date:
Instructions: Read each situation below. Decide if it is "My Business" (something you should do or worry about) or "Not My Business" (something someone else is doing that you should let be). Circle your answer and explain your choice.
1
Your friend is wearing two different colored socks. You think it looks silly.
Is this:
My Business
Not My Business
Explain your choice:
2
Your classmate is taking a long time to put away their art supplies, and the teacher is starting to look impatient.
Is this:
My Business
Not My Business
Explain your choice:
3
During lunch, you see someone accidentally drop a piece of their food on the floor.
Is this:
My Business
Not My Business
Explain your choice:
My Business, Your Business Worksheet (Continued) Page 2
4
You hear two students whispering mean things about another classmate.
Is this:
My Business
Not My Business
Explain your choice:
5
Someone in your group project isn't doing their share of the work, and the deadline is tomorrow.
Is this:
My Business
Not My Business
Explain your choice:
Minding Your Business Superpower
By focusing on your own choices, you help create a classroom where everyone feels respected and ready to learn!
My Business Your Business Answer Key Answer Key
My Business, Your Business Worksheet
1
Friend wearing different colored socks.
Correct Choice: Not My Business
Explanation: What someone wears is their personal choice. It doesn't harm anyone, break a rule, or directly affect your learning or safety. It's respectful to let people express themselves.
2
Classmate slow at cleaning up art supplies.
Correct Choice: My Business (Partially) / Not My Business (to interfere)
Explanation: This is partially your business because it affects the class schedule. However, it's not your job to manage them. Helpful actions (like asking if they need help) are okay, but criticizing or complaining is not minding your own business.
3
Someone drops food on the lunchroom floor.
Correct Choice: My Business (Safety/Help)
Explanation: Spilled food is a safety hazard for everyone. It's kind to offer help or tell an adult so no one slips. This shows responsibility for the shared environment.
4
Hearing students whisper mean things about others.
Correct Choice: My Business
Explanation: Bullying is never okay and breaks school rules. It's everyone's business to stand up for others or tell a trusted adult when someone is being hurt or treated unfairly.
5
Group project member not doing their share.
Correct Choice: My Business
Explanation: Their lack of participation affects your grade and the group's success. It is appropriate to talk to them politely first, then inform the teacher if the problem continues.