Lesson Plan
Decide It! Competition Guide
Students will collaborate in teams to evaluate real-life scenarios and choose the safest option under time pressure, practicing risk evaluation and responsible decision-making.
This lesson builds critical thinking and SEL skills by having students assess potential consequences, make safe choices, and learn from peer discussions in a fun, competitive format.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Timed team challenges with debriefs
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review each generated material: Timely Decision Slides, Team Challenge Rounds, Decision Scorecard, and Team Debrief.
- Project the slides and ensure a timer or stopwatch is ready.
- Print or share digitally the Decision Scorecard for each team.
- Pre-assign or form student teams of 3–4 members.
- Arrange classroom seating to facilitate team collaboration.
Step 1
Introduction & Rules
5 minutes
- Display the lesson objective and explain the competition format using Timely Decision Slides.
- Outline scoring criteria on the Decision Scorecard.
- Emphasize respectful listening and collaboration during each round.
- Assign team roles: timekeeper, recorder, presenter.
Step 2
Round 1 Challenge
10 minutes
- Present Scenario A on the slide deck.
- Start the timer for 2 minutes of team discussion.
- Teams record their top safety choice and reasoning on the Decision Scorecard.
- Teams present their decision and rationale (30 seconds each).
- Award points based on risk evaluation and reasoning.
Step 3
Round 2 Challenge
10 minutes
- Introduce Scenario B with increased complexity.
- Repeat timed discussion and recording process.
- Collect each team’s scorecard for scoring.
- Highlight strong justifications and discuss common pitfalls briefly.
Step 4
Round 3 Challenge
10 minutes
- Reveal Scenario C, the most challenging situation.
- Conduct a final timed discussion and presentation.
- Score teams and announce preliminary rankings.
Step 5
Debrief & Reflection
10 minutes
- Use Team Debrief prompts to guide reflection:
- What strategies helped you evaluate risks?
- How did teamwork influence your decisions?
- What would you do differently next time?
- Discuss lessons learned about responsible decision-making.
- Celebrate the winning team and reinforce key takeaways.
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Slide Deck
Decide It! Competition
• Build your critical thinking and decision-making skills
• Work under time pressure as a team
• Aim to be the most responsible risk evaluators!
Welcome students! Today you’ll compete in teams to make the safest choices in tricky situations. Introduce yourself, share the lesson’s name and get them excited.
Objective & Rules
Objective:
• Evaluate real-life scenarios and choose the safest option under time pressure
Rules:
- Teams of 3–4 students
- Roles: Timekeeper, Recorder, Presenter
- 2 minutes to discuss each scenario
- Present your choice in 30 seconds
Scoring:
• Safety of choice (0–3 pts)
• Quality of reasoning (0–2 pts)
Read through the objective and rules. Emphasize respectful listening, collaboration, and clear reasoning. Show the scoring criteria.
Team Roles & Scorecard
Roles:
• Timekeeper: Manages the timer
• Recorder: Writes down your choice and reasons
• Presenter: Shares your team’s answer
Use your Decision Scorecard to track points each round.
Assign team roles now. Walk around and confirm each team has a Timekeeper, Recorder, and Presenter.
Scenario A: Crossing the Street
You and your friend need to cross a busy street to reach the ice cream truck.
• Cars are passing quickly
• No crosswalk in sight
What’s your safest option?
Read Scenario A aloud. Encourage students to picture the situation. Then start the discussion slide.
Discussion Time – 2 Minutes
Discuss with your team and record:
- Your chosen action
- Your reasoning
(Recorder, write clearly on the scorecard!)
Press “Start Timer” or use a stopwatch for 2 minutes. Circulate to ensure all teams are discussing and recording.
Present & Score
Each team has 30 seconds to share:
- Your chosen action
- Why it’s the safest option
Award yourself points on the Scorecard.
After 2 minutes, signal teams to wrap up. Then shift to presentations.
Scenario B: After-School Club
Your club’s bus is late, and you must choose between:
A. Running down the street to catch it
B. Waiting safely for the bus, even if you’re late
C. Calling your parents to pick you up
What do you decide?
Introduce Scenario B. Highlight the increased complexity: more people, less time.
Discussion Time – 2 Minutes
Discuss and record:
• Your team’s choice
• Your reasons
Use the Decision Scorecard!
Again, start the timer for 2 minutes. Check in on each team’s progress.
Present & Score
30 seconds per team:
- State your choice (A, B, or C)
- Explain why it’s safest
Mark your Scorecard.
After discussion, have teams present and score.
Scenario C: Playground Challenge
You see a friend stuck at the top of playground equipment and too scared to come down. A group is watching. Options:
A. Climb up to help directly
B. Find an adult to assist
C. Tell your friend to try again themselves
Which is best?
Reveal the final, most challenging scenario. Build suspense.
Discussion Time – 2 Minutes
Discuss, decide, and record:
• Your chosen option
• Your team’s reasoning
Final timed discussion. Prompt students to focus on teamwork and responsible action.
Score Submission Reminder
• Submit your completed Decision Scorecards now
• We'll tally scores and announce rankings
Collect Scorecards or have teams hold them up. Tally points visibly.
Debrief & Reflection
Discuss as a class:
• What helped you evaluate risk?
• How did teamwork shape your decision?
• What would you do differently next time?
Use this slide to guide reflection and solidify learning.
Celebrate & Next Steps
🎉 Congratulations to our winning team! 🎉
Key Takeaways:
• Think before you act
• Work together for safer choices
• Practice these skills every day
Congratulate the winning team and reinforce key takeaways. Encourage students to use these skills in life.
Activity
Team Challenge Rounds Activity Guide
Overview:
• Use these Scenario Cards for Rounds 1–3 of the Decide It! Competition.
• Distribute printed cards to each team or display digitally one scenario at a time.
• Teams have 2 minutes to discuss each scenario and record their choice on the Decision Scorecard.
Materials Needed:
• Scenario Cards (Rounds 1–3) – printed or digital
• Timer or stopwatch
• Decision Scorecard
Printing Instructions:
• Print each scenario (A, B, C) on cardstock.
• Cut cards along the guidelines.
• Shuffle and place face-up for easy distribution.
Digital Presentation:
• Display each scenario in a shared slide or document.
• Advance to the next scenario after each round.
Round 1: Scenario A – Crossing the Street
You and your friend need to cross a busy street to reach the ice cream truck.
• Cars are passing quickly
• No crosswalk in sight
Options:
A. Walk to the nearest crosswalk and wait for the walk signal.
B. Dash quickly across where you think there’s a gap.
C. Ask a nearby adult to help you cross safely.
Facilitator Notes:
- Remind teams to think about traffic rules and safety.
- Encourage them to explain why one option is safer than another.
- Start the timer for 2 minutes once every team has the card.
Round 2: Scenario B – After-School Club
Your club’s bus is late, and you must choose between:
A. Running down the street to catch it.
B. Waiting safely for the bus, even if you’re late.
C. Calling your parents to pick you up.
Facilitator Notes:
- Prompt teams to weigh urgency vs. safety.
- Ask: “How might rushing put you at risk?”
- Begin the 2-minute discussion when all teams are ready.
Round 3: Scenario C – Playground Challenge
You see a friend stuck at the top of playground equipment and too scared to come down. A group is watching. Options:
A. Climb up to help directly.
B. Find an adult to assist.
C. Tell your friend to try again by themselves.
Facilitator Notes:
- Encourage reflection on personal ability and seeking help.
- Ask teams: “Who is best suited to help in this situation?”
- Run the final 2-minute timer when everyone has the scenario.
After Each Round:
- Teams have 30 seconds to present their choice and reasoning.
- Score using the Decision Scorecard.
- Collect or tally scorecards before moving to the next round.
Good luck, Risk Evaluators! Remember: safe choices come from careful thinking and teamwork.
Rubric
Decision Scorecard
Team Name: __________________________ Round: _____ Date: ____________
| Criteria | Performance Levels & Descriptors | Points Possible | Points Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety of Choice | 3 – Choice is the safest option; minimal/no risk 2 – Generally safe with low risk 1 – Some risk remains; not optimal 0 – Unsafe choice or ignores safety | 3 | ____ |
| Quality of Reasoning | 2 – Reasoning is clear, thorough, and cites consequences 1 – Reasoning is adequate but lacks detail 0 – Missing or unclear reasoning | 2 | ____ |
| Total Score | (Sum of points awarded above) | 5 | ____ |
Comments & Feedback:
Cool Down
Team Debrief Exit Ticket
Team Name: __________________________ Date: ________________
- Which strategy helped your team make the safest decisions today, and why?
- What was the most challenging part of any scenario, and what made it difficult?
- How did working as a team influence your final choice?
- Describe one thing you learned about evaluating risk that you can use outside of class.
- Any additional thoughts or feedback about today’s activity: