LIFE ORIENTATION
GRADE 11
REVISION
NOTES
1 Life Orientation Gr. 11
,TERM 1
WEEK 1-3
Chapter 1 : Development of the self in society
1. Plan and achieve life goals
1.1. Types of goals
What are goals?
- Goals are the things we want to achieve in life. It is our plans and aims. They are different
from dreams and wishes in that we can take active steps to achieve goals. We can turn our
wish into a goal.
- When we have goals we know where we are going. Goals are important because they help
you to take charge of your life and make decisions.
You must set SMART goals.
S SPECIFIC What do I want to achieve? You must say exactly what
you want to achieve.
Who is involved?/What do I need to be able to do this.
M MEASURABLE You must be able to measure if your make progress
and achieve
A ACHIEVABLE What do I need to achieve it? Money, skills, abilities.
R REALISTIC You must be able to achieve it and must be willing to
work towards achieving the goals.
T TIME BASED You must set a time limit to achieve your goals
Types of goals:
1. Short-term goals: we achieve it in a short space of time e.g. a project you
want to finish the weekend. You achieve them in a week or month.
2. Medium-term goals: Something you want to achieve in the next 6 months.
3. Long-term goals. These goals you want to achieve in a few years.
Like becoming a doctor or engineer.
1.2. Five-step method for planning and goal-setting
Step 1 : Write down your goal.
Step 2 : Check to see if it is a smart goal.
Step 3 : Make an action plan to achieve your goal.
Step 4 : Do it. Carry out your action plan.
Step 5 : Evaluate if you have achieved your goal.
1.3. Problem-solving skills
Step 1 : Explain the problem. Define the problem and say what it means.
Step 2 : Gather information about the problem.
Step 3 : List as many possible solutions as you can
2 Life Orientation Gr. 11
,Step 4 : Make a table and write down your problems and solutions.
Step 5 : Think of the effects / consequences of each solution.
Step 6 : Choose the best solution.
A problem-solving model can look like this :
1. Explain the problem. Define the problem and say what it means.
2. Gather information about the problem. What information can help you to solve the
problem ? What do you need to know ?
3. Possible solutions. 4. Possible effect of each solution.
5. Write down the best solution.
Reason why this is the best solution.
1.4. Relationship between personal values, choices and goal-setting
What are values?
- It is the principals you think are important in life.
It helps you to make decisions on how you want to live your life.
- You values will influence the decisions you make.
- It will influence the kind of goals you set in your life. Your values will shape your mission
statement.
- Things that will influence your values are your environment, your school, important people in
your life etc.
- Values help you to choose what is important to you - it helps you to set your priorities.
2. Relationships and their influence on your well-being
Throughout our lives we depend on relationships for well-being. It you have good relationship with
members of your family and friends and colleagues you feel happy and confident. When there is
conflict in any of these relationships it can affect your well-being and also threaten your ability to form
new relationships
2.1. Types of relationships with different people or groups
Family Casual
- People who are related to you - Relationships with people you see often, but
through blood or marriage. are not close to like friends and family.
- Probably closest to you
- Will receive the most love, care
and support from them.
Friends Formal
- A person you know well, like, - Relationships with people who are usually in
trust and respect and who a more senior position than yourself.
supports you - Example teachers and elders.
- Good friends will have a positive
effect on your well-being. Romantic
- Harmful friends can lead you to - Close relationship with another person,
risky behaviour and you can get based on love.
hurt. - With this person you can be yourself, without
demands to change.
3 Life Orientation Gr. 11
, 2.2. Changing relationships
Life changes and with every change, relationships change as well. Some develop fast as life
opens new opportunities. Others develop slow and steadily. Some people are forced to
change quickly because of unexpected events in their lives.
Natural developments that change Unexpected events that change
relationships relationships
- Moving to another area - Accidents
- Meeting new people - Job loss
- Health changes - Losing money
- New interest - Violent crime
- Getting older - War
- Earning money - Death of a family member
- Death of a close friend
- Separation and divorce
Your family is where your first relationships are formed and where you are going to see the
greatest changes in your relationships.
Your parents and family are aware of the changes you are going through. They need time to
get used to the new you. Take time to talk to your family. Your family prepares you for the
world. You learn the importance of sharing and accepting responsibilities and the need for
order and routine. You absorb attitudes, values and ways of behaviour form your family. As
you grow older and form new relationships you can decide which attitudes and values you
want to keep and what you want to change.
2.3. Skills and qualities which make good relationships
- Unselfish
- Caring
- Mutual respect
- Ability to communicate
- Accepting people as they are
- Sympathetic
- Good listener
- Supportive
- Able to work as team
2.4. Power and gender in relationships
The role of power in relationships
Having power means having control over something or someone. In relationships one person
may have power over another. We call these relationships power relations.
Gender roles and stereotyping
Gender stereotyping is when people think that someone behaves or will behave in a certain
way because of their gender. For example, thinking that all girls like to cook, Men earn the
money and women spend it.
Gender roles
In society there are traditional gender roles. Men and women have different biological roles
which have influenced their roles in society. Women bear children and in the past they stayed
4 Life Orientation Gr. 11
GRADE 11
REVISION
NOTES
1 Life Orientation Gr. 11
,TERM 1
WEEK 1-3
Chapter 1 : Development of the self in society
1. Plan and achieve life goals
1.1. Types of goals
What are goals?
- Goals are the things we want to achieve in life. It is our plans and aims. They are different
from dreams and wishes in that we can take active steps to achieve goals. We can turn our
wish into a goal.
- When we have goals we know where we are going. Goals are important because they help
you to take charge of your life and make decisions.
You must set SMART goals.
S SPECIFIC What do I want to achieve? You must say exactly what
you want to achieve.
Who is involved?/What do I need to be able to do this.
M MEASURABLE You must be able to measure if your make progress
and achieve
A ACHIEVABLE What do I need to achieve it? Money, skills, abilities.
R REALISTIC You must be able to achieve it and must be willing to
work towards achieving the goals.
T TIME BASED You must set a time limit to achieve your goals
Types of goals:
1. Short-term goals: we achieve it in a short space of time e.g. a project you
want to finish the weekend. You achieve them in a week or month.
2. Medium-term goals: Something you want to achieve in the next 6 months.
3. Long-term goals. These goals you want to achieve in a few years.
Like becoming a doctor or engineer.
1.2. Five-step method for planning and goal-setting
Step 1 : Write down your goal.
Step 2 : Check to see if it is a smart goal.
Step 3 : Make an action plan to achieve your goal.
Step 4 : Do it. Carry out your action plan.
Step 5 : Evaluate if you have achieved your goal.
1.3. Problem-solving skills
Step 1 : Explain the problem. Define the problem and say what it means.
Step 2 : Gather information about the problem.
Step 3 : List as many possible solutions as you can
2 Life Orientation Gr. 11
,Step 4 : Make a table and write down your problems and solutions.
Step 5 : Think of the effects / consequences of each solution.
Step 6 : Choose the best solution.
A problem-solving model can look like this :
1. Explain the problem. Define the problem and say what it means.
2. Gather information about the problem. What information can help you to solve the
problem ? What do you need to know ?
3. Possible solutions. 4. Possible effect of each solution.
5. Write down the best solution.
Reason why this is the best solution.
1.4. Relationship between personal values, choices and goal-setting
What are values?
- It is the principals you think are important in life.
It helps you to make decisions on how you want to live your life.
- You values will influence the decisions you make.
- It will influence the kind of goals you set in your life. Your values will shape your mission
statement.
- Things that will influence your values are your environment, your school, important people in
your life etc.
- Values help you to choose what is important to you - it helps you to set your priorities.
2. Relationships and their influence on your well-being
Throughout our lives we depend on relationships for well-being. It you have good relationship with
members of your family and friends and colleagues you feel happy and confident. When there is
conflict in any of these relationships it can affect your well-being and also threaten your ability to form
new relationships
2.1. Types of relationships with different people or groups
Family Casual
- People who are related to you - Relationships with people you see often, but
through blood or marriage. are not close to like friends and family.
- Probably closest to you
- Will receive the most love, care
and support from them.
Friends Formal
- A person you know well, like, - Relationships with people who are usually in
trust and respect and who a more senior position than yourself.
supports you - Example teachers and elders.
- Good friends will have a positive
effect on your well-being. Romantic
- Harmful friends can lead you to - Close relationship with another person,
risky behaviour and you can get based on love.
hurt. - With this person you can be yourself, without
demands to change.
3 Life Orientation Gr. 11
, 2.2. Changing relationships
Life changes and with every change, relationships change as well. Some develop fast as life
opens new opportunities. Others develop slow and steadily. Some people are forced to
change quickly because of unexpected events in their lives.
Natural developments that change Unexpected events that change
relationships relationships
- Moving to another area - Accidents
- Meeting new people - Job loss
- Health changes - Losing money
- New interest - Violent crime
- Getting older - War
- Earning money - Death of a family member
- Death of a close friend
- Separation and divorce
Your family is where your first relationships are formed and where you are going to see the
greatest changes in your relationships.
Your parents and family are aware of the changes you are going through. They need time to
get used to the new you. Take time to talk to your family. Your family prepares you for the
world. You learn the importance of sharing and accepting responsibilities and the need for
order and routine. You absorb attitudes, values and ways of behaviour form your family. As
you grow older and form new relationships you can decide which attitudes and values you
want to keep and what you want to change.
2.3. Skills and qualities which make good relationships
- Unselfish
- Caring
- Mutual respect
- Ability to communicate
- Accepting people as they are
- Sympathetic
- Good listener
- Supportive
- Able to work as team
2.4. Power and gender in relationships
The role of power in relationships
Having power means having control over something or someone. In relationships one person
may have power over another. We call these relationships power relations.
Gender roles and stereotyping
Gender stereotyping is when people think that someone behaves or will behave in a certain
way because of their gender. For example, thinking that all girls like to cook, Men earn the
money and women spend it.
Gender roles
In society there are traditional gender roles. Men and women have different biological roles
which have influenced their roles in society. Women bear children and in the past they stayed
4 Life Orientation Gr. 11
