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MIDDLE SCHOOL HANDBOOK
Learning Goals
In Visit 3, students will:
- Understand how to make a good decision
- Understand that the decisions they make influence their life path
- Identify the consequences and risks that go into making a decision
Introduction and Icebreaker
When you arrive for your third visit, continue with the routine you have set up. Set the tone and revisit your rules and expectations.
Introduce the topic for today—My Choices. Define a decision as the act of reaching a conclusion. Describe the relationship between values and decisions.
There are several options for presenting the exercises in this unit. Be sure to teach a solid foundation of decision making. The exercises can be done in pair/share or independently.
Exercise #1: Decisions and Decision Making
Exercise Objectives: Students will be able to define a goal and recognize the role of decisions in their everyday life.
Preparation: Create a list of some of the decisions you make each day.
Presentation Suggestions: Lead a discussion about the decisions people make every day. Share with them some of the simple decisions you make every day like getting out of bed, brushing your teeth, or deciding which route to take to work. Instruct the students to take a few minutes to write down all the decisions they make in a day.
Brainstorm ideas and list them on the board. You can use headings like health, education, future, relationship, etc. to get them started.
Encourage students to fill in their answers while you are brainstorming.
Exercise #2: Decision Making Skills
Exercise Objectives: Students will be able to define what the words "consequences" and "risks" mean in terms of decision-making. Students will be able to identify consequences and risks of specific activities.
Preparation: Identify examples of significant decisions you have made, the consequences and risks involved, and the outcome of your decision to share with the class.
Presentation Suggestions:
- Ask students, "Why we should care about making good decisions? Why are decisions important? What are consequences and risks?" Ask for similes to help define consequences and risks to reinforce the meaning of the words.
- Read scenario #1 and determine the consequences and risks as a group. Have the students fill in their answers as you brainstorm.
- Allow the students to work independently to complete scenarios #2 and #3; then make time for them to share their answers. Encourage students to continue writing if they think of new ideas.
Exercise #3: The Decision Making Process
Exercise Objectives: Students will learn the process of making a good decision.
Preparation: Identify a personal story to share about a complex decision you had to make. This exercise can be done in pair/share.
Presentation Suggestions: Ask students if they have ever had to make a similar decision. If you were confronted with a similar decision, share the choice you made. Ask the students to work independently on questions 1-6. Once you have given them adequate time to write their answers, discuss them as a class.
Focus on the ladder graphic on page 13. Walk the students through the entire process of decision making going up the "steps of the ladder".
Exercise #4 - Making Good Decisions
Exercise Objectives: Students will better understand the decision making process and will be equipped with skills necessary to make better decisions in their lives. This exercise can be done in pair/share.
Preparation: Identify a story to share about a complex decision you had to make.
Presentation Suggestions: Read the scenarios aloud to the class. Ask students to work in groups of four to answer the questions and report their answers back to the class.
Exercise #5: My Decision
Exercise Objectives: Students will learn the process of making a decision. Students will understand the consequences and risks associated with the decision they have to make.
Preparation: Identify a decision you are contemplating to share with the class.
Presentation Suggestions:
- Use a personal example of a current decision you have to make. Ask the students to help you analyze the decision to determine its consequences and risks.
- Walk through each step of the decision making process referencing the example you just talked about.
- Ask the students for examples of important decisions they need to make. Write these decisions on the board so that students who are uncertain about what to write can have a point of reference.
- Allow the students to answer the questions independently. Walk around the room assisting the students as needed. Ask for the teacher’s help on this exercise. An extra set of eyes can be very helpful.
- Let the students share their answers.
Visit Summary
To conclude the decision-making unit, ask the students to reflect on the number of important decisions they have to make in their life. Ask for examples of some of the big ones. Tell them how proud you are of them for participating today and end the visit by thanking students for their time. Let them know when you will see them again.
