Lesson Plan
Decisions Matter Lesson Plan
Students will read a social story about making wise choices, identify decision points, practice real-life scenarios through role-play, and reflect on outcomes to strengthen decision-making skills.
Effective decision-making supports social-emotional growth, helps students anticipate consequences, and fosters self-confidence in academic and personal situations.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Read, discuss, role-play, and reflect on social stories.
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Print or project the Social Story: Choosing Wisely
- Print and cut the Decision-Making Scenario Cards
- Make copies of the Decision Reflection Worksheet
- Review each material to familiarize yourself with story points and scenarios
Step 1
Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Ask the student to share a recent choice they made (e.g., what to eat, how to spend recess).
- List together one positive outcome and one negative outcome of that choice.
- Emphasize that every decision has consequences.
Step 2
Read the Social Story
8 minutes
- Introduce the Social Story: Choosing Wisely.
- Read aloud paragraph by paragraph, pausing to check comprehension.
- Ask the student to point out where the character made a choice and why.
Step 3
Discussion & Role-Play
10 minutes
- Shuffle the Decision-Making Scenario Cards and have the student draw one.
- Read the scenario together and identify possible choices.
- Role-play the situation: student acts out both a poor decision and a good decision.
- Discuss how each choice feels and its possible outcomes.
Step 4
Reflection
5 minutes
- Provide the Decision Reflection Worksheet.
- Guide the student to write:
- The scenario they practiced
- The decision they chose
- One positive outcome of that choice
- Encourage honest thinking about what they learned.
Step 5
Cool-Down
2 minutes
- Summarize key takeaways: making choices, thinking about outcomes, and practicing skills.
- Praise the student’s effort and new insights.
- Encourage them to notice decisions in daily life and reflect on outcomes.
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Slide Deck
Decisions Matter
Understanding Consequences and Making Good Choices
Welcome the student and introduce today’s session. Explain that you will explore how decisions affect outcomes and practice making good choices.
Warm-Up: Reflect on a Recent Choice
- Share a choice you made recently (e.g., snack, activity).
- Identify one positive outcome of that choice.
- Identify one negative outcome of that choice.
Ask the student to recall a choice they made recently. Write down one positive and one negative outcome. Emphasize that every choice leads to consequences.
Social Story: Choosing Wisely
Open the Social Story: Choosing Wisely.
As we read:
- Notice where the character makes a choice.
- Think about why the character chose that action.
Introduce the social story. Read it aloud paragraph by paragraph, pausing to check comprehension. Prompt the student to point out decision moments.
Discussion & Role-Play
- Draw a card from the Decision-Making Scenario Cards.
- Read the scenario and list possible choices.
- Role-play a poor decision: How does it feel? What happens next?
- Role-play a good decision: How does it feel? What happens next?
Shuffle and draw one scenario card. Read the scenario and guide the student to list choices. Role-play both a poor decision and a good decision, discussing feelings and outcomes.
Reflection
Use the Decision Reflection Worksheet to record:
- The scenario you practiced
- The decision you chose
- One positive outcome of that choice
Give the student the reflection worksheet. Guide them to fill in each section honestly, summarizing what they learned.
Key Takeaways & Next Steps
- Every decision has consequences.
- Thinking ahead helps make better choices.
- Practice and reflect on your decisions daily.
Great work today—keep making mindful choices!
Summarize the session’s key takeaways. Praise the student’s effort and encourage them to practice noticing and reflecting on decisions every day.
Activity
Decision-Making Scenario Cards
Use these cards during the Discussion & Role-Play segment. Shuffle and have the student draw one. Read the scenario, then work together to role-play the poor decision versus the good decision. Discuss feelings and potential outcomes.
Card 1
Scenario: You’re in a science group project and one teammate hasn’t done any work. You worry the grade will suffer.
- Poor Decision: Do their share yourself without saying anything.
- Good Decision: Talk to your teammate, ask if they need help or ideas.
Card 2
Scenario: You find a $5 bill on the hallway floor between classes.
- Poor Decision: Pocket it and keep it for yourself.
- Good Decision: Turn it in to the lost-and-found so the owner can get it back.
Card 3
Scenario: The big math test is tomorrow and a friend offers you a copy of the answers.
- Poor Decision: Take the sheet and use it to cheat.
- Good Decision: Thank your friend but choose to study and take the test honestly.
Card 4
Scenario: At recess, you notice a classmate sitting alone looking sad.
- Poor Decision: Ignore them and play with your own friends.
- Good Decision: Invite them to join your game or talk with them.
Card 5
Scenario: Your classmate asks to borrow your brand-new pencil—you’re afraid it might get lost or broken.
- Poor Decision: Say “No” and keep it in your desk.
- Good Decision: Lend it to them and remind them to return it.
Card 6
Scenario: You overhear a group making fun of another student in the hallway.
- Poor Decision: Laugh along or join in.
- Good Decision: Walk away and report what you heard to a teacher or adult.
Use each card to:
- Identify why each choice is poor or good.
- Role-play both actions (poor vs. good).
- Reflect on how each decision makes you feel and what might happen next.
Have fun practicing!
Worksheet
Decision Reflection Worksheet
Student Name: ___________________________
Date: _________________________________
1. Scenario Practiced
Describe the situation you role-played or read about.
2. Decision You Chose
Write the choice you made in this scenario.
3. One Positive Outcome
What was one good result of your decision?
4. One Negative Outcome or Challenge
What was one difficulty or downside you noticed?
5. How Did You Feel After Making This Decision?
Describe your emotions or thoughts afterward.
6. What Will You Do Next Time to Make a Good Decision?
Write a strategy or reminder for future choices.
7. Bonus: Write a Tip to Remember to Think Ahead
(e.g., a phrase, drawing, or idea to help you pause and decide wisely)
Great job reflecting! Keep this sheet to help you notice choices and outcomes each day.
Reading
Social Story: Choosing Wisely
Meet Alex
Alex is a sixth grader who cares about doing the right thing. Some days, choices feel easy—like what to wear or what snack to bring. Other days, decisions at school can be harder. Alex wants to learn how to think ahead before acting so that classmates, teachers, and Alex all feel good about the outcome.
Sharing at Recess
One afternoon at recess, Alex’s friend Maya asked to borrow a favorite book. Alex really wanted to read it again before returning it. Alex felt two options:
Alex thought, “If I share, Maya might enjoy it, and I’ll feel proud of helping a friend. But if she loses it, I’ll feel upset.” After a moment of thinking, Alex said, “Sure, Maya—please bring it back by tomorrow.”
Maya smiled and promised to return it. Later, Maya brought back the book in perfect condition. Alex felt happy and realized sharing built trust and made both of them feel good.
The Classroom Decision
In math class, the teacher asked everyone to work on a worksheet quietly. A few classmates started talking. Alex noticed two choices:
Alex decided to stay focused. When a question was hard, Alex raised a hand and asked the teacher for help. This helped Alex finish on time and understand the lesson better.
Choosing to Listen
After lunch, the class lined up to go back to the classroom. Some classmates rushed and bumped into desks. Alex considered running to be first in line or walking calmly. Remembering how the teacher asked for safe behavior, Alex chose to walk calmly. By listening and following directions, Alex reached the classroom without any accidents.
Reflecting on Choices
At the end of the day, Alex thought about each decision:
Alex realized that taking a moment to think ahead—"What might happen if I do this?"—helps make wise choices. Tomorrow, Alex will keep using this simple plan:
By choosing wisely, Alex feels more confident and ready for each new day.