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Choices Matter

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Lesson Plan

Impact Reflection Guide

Students will complete a reflective quiz on daily choices, identify the short- and long-term impact of their decisions, and articulate one action to improve responsible decision-making.

This lesson empowers 8th grade students to recognize how everyday decisions affect themselves and others, fostering ethical reasoning and responsible decision-making skills.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

8 minutes

Approach

Individual reflective quiz with guided prompts.

Prep

Teacher Preparation

3 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

1 minute

  • Display Choices Matter Slides title slide.
  • Explain lesson objective: reflect on daily choices and their impacts.

Step 2

Quiz Completion

4 minutes

  • Distribute Choices Matter Quiz to each student.
  • Students answer questions individually, considering real-life scenarios.
  • Encourage honest responses and quick jotting of immediate thoughts.

Step 3

Guided Reflection

2 minutes

  • Instruct students to use Reflection Notes to review their answers.
  • Ask each student to write down one choice, its impact, and what they might do differently next time.

Step 4

Share and Wrap-Up

1 minute

  • Invite 1–2 volunteers to share their reflections briefly.
  • Reinforce how mindful choices foster responsibility and ethical reasoning.
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Slide Deck

Choices Matter

Understanding the Impact of Your Everyday Decisions

Welcome students. Introduce the lesson objective: to reflect on daily choices and understand their impacts.

Quiz Instructions

• Distribute the quiz (4 minutes)
• Read each question carefully
• Jot down your immediate thoughts

Explain the quiz procedure. Emphasize honest, quick responses. Set a 4-minute timer.

Reflection Prompt

Choose one decision you made recently and describe:

  1. Who was affected?
  2. Short-term impact
  3. Long-term impact
  4. What you might do differently next time

Guide students to use their Reflection Notes. Prompt them to think deeply about one decision.

Key Takeaways & Action Step

Key Takeaways:
• Mindful choices build responsibility
• Ethical reasoning matters

Action Step:
Identify one choice you will make more responsibly today.

Wrap up by reinforcing key messages. Invite volunteers to share their action step.

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Quiz

Choices Matter Quiz

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Answer Key

Reflection Notes Answer Key

Use this guide to review student responses, score multiple-choice items, and provide feedback on open-ended reflections. Encourage students to think deeply about their choices and the impact on themselves and others.


Question 1 (Likert Self-Assessment)

Prompt: I consider how my choices affect others before making a decision.

• Notes: No single correct answer. This question gauges self-awareness and growth over time.
• Scoring: Formative only – use responses to guide classroom discussion about empathy and responsibility.


Question 2 (Multiple-Choice)

Scenario: You find a $10 bill in the school hallway and no one else seems to have noticed. What would you do?

Correct Answer: C) Turn it in to a teacher or the main office.

• Explanation: Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and respect for ownership.
• Scoring: 1 point for selecting C; 0 points for A, B, or D.


Question 3 (Open-Response)

Prompt: Think of a choice you made recently (in the past week). Describe the decision, and then explain:

  1. Who was affected by your choice?
  2. What was the immediate (short-term) impact?

Expected Elements (4 points total):
• Clear description of the decision (2 points)
• Identification of affected person(s) (1 point)
• Explanation of short-term impact (1 point)

Sample Response (4 points):
“My group and I were deciding which project topic to choose. I suggested a science fair theme even though most wanted an art project. My suggestion made two team members feel unheard at first, but short-term, it sparked a good debate and we ended up blending science with art to everyone's satisfaction.”

Rubric Details:
• 0–2 points for clarity and completeness of the decision description
• 0–1 point for naming who was affected
• 0–1 point for describing the immediate impact


Question 4 (Multiple-Choice)

Prompt: Which of the following best represents a long-term benefit of consistently making mindful and responsible choices?

Correct Answer: A) Building stronger trust with peers and teachers

• Explanation: Over time, responsible decisions foster reliability, respect, and stronger relationships.
• Scoring: 1 point for A; 0 points for B, C, or D.


Question 5 (Open-Response)

Prompt: Based on your reflection, identify one action you will take differently next time. Describe your action and explain how it could lead to a more positive outcome in the future.

Expected Elements (4 points total):
• Specific action to change (2 points)
• Clear connection to a positive outcome (2 points)

Sample Response (4 points):
“In the future, I will ask for permission before borrowing my friend’s headphones. This will show respect and prevent misunderstandings, leading to stronger trust between us.”

Rubric Details:
• 0–2 points for clarity and specificity of the planned action
• 0–2 points for explaining how this action improves trust or outcomes


Reflection Guidance

Encourage students to complete Reflection Notes by addressing each prompt in detail:

  1. Select a real choice you made.
  2. Identify who was affected and how.
  3. Describe both short-term and (where applicable) long-term impacts.
  4. State one actionable step you’ll take next time and link it to a positive result.

Provide personalized feedback, highlighting insightful connections between choices and their broader ethical implications.

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