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Decision Detectives

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Lesson Plan

Detective Briefing Guide

Students will role-play as decision-making detectives, analyzing real-life case studies to identify consequences and propose responsible choices, thereby strengthening analytical and responsible decision-making skills.

This lesson engages 11th graders in real-world scenarios to build critical thinking and social-emotional learning aligned with CASEL’s Responsible Decision-Making standard.

Audience

11th Grade Small Group

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Detective-themed case studies with guided group inquiry.

Materials

Prep

Review Detective Materials

10 minutes

  • Print enough copies of Detective Case Files for each student group
  • Queue up the Case Study Gallery slide deck on classroom display
  • Set up the Clue Debrief Chat platform or prepare whiteboard space for group sharing
  • Familiarize yourself with each case study scenario and guiding questions

Step 1

Detective Briefing

5 minutes

  • Introduce the detective theme and responsible decision-making objectives
  • Outline student roles: Lead Detective, Note-Taker, Timekeeper
  • Display Case Study Gallery and explain how to navigate scenarios
  • Divide students into small groups of 3-4

Step 2

Investigation Phase

15 minutes

  • Each group selects a case from the Case Study Gallery
  • Read the scenario carefully and discuss initial impressions
  • Use Detective Case Files to record facts, stakeholders, and potential consequences
  • Encourage groups to consider both short- and long-term impacts

Step 3

Clue Debrief Chat

10 minutes

  • Launch the Clue Debrief Chat session or use the whiteboard
  • Each group posts one key consequence they identified and one stakeholder perspective
  • Facilitate a quick Q&A to surface differing viewpoints and hidden clues

Step 4

Recommendation Workshop

10 minutes

  • Groups review their recorded evidence and discuss possible responsible choices
  • Complete the recommendations section on the Detective Case Files
  • Emphasize clarity, feasibility, and ethical considerations in their proposals

Step 5

Closing Reflection

10 minutes

  • Reconvene whole group for presentations: each team shares their case and recommendation
  • Discuss alternative outcomes if different decisions were made
  • Reinforce lessons on weighing consequences and making responsible choices
  • Highlight how these skills apply to students’ own lives
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