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How Big Is This Deal, Really?

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Janice Zimmerman

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

How Big Is This Deal, Really?

Students will be able to define a problem and categorize it as a small, medium, or big decision based on its potential consequences.

This lesson empowers students to approach challenges with a structured mindset, reducing stress and improving outcomes by understanding the true impact of their choices.

Audience

11th & 12th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through interactive sorting and discussion.

Materials

Sizing Up Your Situation Slide Deck, Decision Sorting Cards Activity, and Small, Medium, or Big? Worksheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the Sizing Up Your Situation Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content and teacher notes.
    - Print and cut out the Decision Sorting Cards Activity. You will need one set per small group.
    - Make copies of the Small, Medium, or Big? Worksheet, one per student.
    - Arrange desks or tables for small group work, ideally groups of 3-4 students.

Step 1

Introduction: What's the 'Deal'?

5 minutes

  • Begin by presenting the Sizing Up Your Situation Slide Deck, starting with the title slide.
    - Engage students with the question: "How do you decide if something is a big deal or not?" Allow for a brief class discussion.
    - Introduce the learning objective and explain that today's lesson will help them categorize problems more effectively. Refer to slides 1-3.

Step 2

Activity: Decision Sorting Cards

15 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
    - Distribute one set of Decision Sorting Cards Activity to each group.
    - Explain the task: "Your group needs to sort these decision cards into three categories: Small Deal, Medium Deal, and Big Deal. Discuss your reasoning within your group."
    - Circulate among groups, listening to discussions, and prompting with questions like: "What makes this a 'big deal' for your group?" or "Could this be a 'small deal' for someone else? Why?" Refer to slide 4.

Step 3

Group Share and Discuss

5 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
    - Ask each group to share one card they categorized as a "Big Deal" and explain their reasoning.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion on the fluidity of categorization and the importance of considering consequences. Refer to slide 5.

Step 4

Application: Personal Scenario & Wrap-up

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Small, Medium, or Big? Worksheet to each student.
    - Instruct students to complete the worksheet individually, focusing on a personal scenario.
    - Briefly review the main takeaways from the lesson, emphasizing the importance of evaluating consequences before acting. Refer to slides 6-7.
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Slide Deck

How Big Is This Deal, Really?

What makes something a "big deal" or a "small deal" in your life?

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask an open-ended question to get them thinking.

Our Goal Today

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Define a problem clearly.
  • Categorize decisions as small, medium, or big.
  • Understand the potential consequences of your choices.

Introduce the learning objective clearly.

Why This Matters

Learning to 'size up' a situation helps you:

  • Make better decisions.
  • Reduce stress and anxiety.
  • Understand the impact of your actions.
  • Prioritize what truly needs your attention.

Explain why this skill is important for their future and daily lives.

Activity: Decision Sorting

In your groups, you will receive a set of cards with different scenarios.
Your task is to sort them into three categories:

  • Small Deal: Minor consequences, easy to fix.
  • Medium Deal: Moderate consequences, might require effort to fix.
  • Big Deal: Significant consequences, lasting impact, difficult to fix.

Discuss your reasoning for each card!

Introduce the group activity and explain the instructions for the sorting cards.

Group Share: What Did You Decide?

Let's hear from each group!

  • Share one decision you categorized as a "Big Deal."
  • Explain why your group classified it that way.
  • What makes categorizing decisions challenging?

Facilitate the group share-out. Encourage discussion about different perspectives.

Your Turn: Personal Decisions

Think about a decision you are currently facing or have faced recently.
Use the worksheet to:

  • Define the problem.
  • Categorize its size.
  • Consider its potential consequences.

Introduce the worksheet and explain its purpose for personal application.

Remember to 'Size It Up'!

Before making a decision, ask yourself:

  • What is the actual problem?
  • What are the possible consequences (good and bad)?
  • How big of a deal is this, really?

This helps you make thoughtful, informed choices!

Summarize the key takeaways and encourage students to use these skills.

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Activity

Decision Sorting Cards Activity

Instructions:

  1. Cut out each of the decision scenarios below.
  2. In your small groups, discuss each scenario and decide if it is a "Small Deal," "Medium Deal," or "Big Deal."
  3. Sort the cards into three piles based on your group's consensus.
  4. Be prepared to explain your reasoning for each category.

Decision Scenarios

Card 1: You forgot to study for a pop quiz in a class that isn't graded heavily.

Card 2: You accidentally spill a drink on your friend's new jacket.

Card 3: You have to choose which college to attend, or whether to go to college at all.

Card 4: You notice a classmate cheating on a major exam.

Card 5: In a group project, one member consistently isn't doing their share of the work.

Card 6: You are asked to lead a significant project at your part-time job that will affect your team.

Card 7: You accidentally double-booked plans with two different groups of friends for the same evening.

Card 8: Your best friend tells you a secret about another friend and asks you not to tell anyone.

Card 9: You overhear a rumor about a close friend and don't know whether to tell them.

Card 10: You need to decide whether to take a challenging advanced placement class or an easier elective.

Card 11: Your coach or teacher makes a decision that you strongly disagree with and believe is unfair.

Card 12: You are offered a scholarship but it requires you to move to a different state away from your family.

Card 13: You have a disagreement with a friend about what movie to watch.

Card 14: You witness someone shoplifting from a local store.

Card 15: You need to decide on a topic for a major research paper that counts for a large portion of your grade.

Card 16: Someone told you that another person is talking about you.

Card 17: The girl you didn't get along with in middle school just transferred to your school.

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Worksheet

Small, Medium, or Big? Worksheet

Instructions: Think about a decision you are currently facing or have faced recently. Use the questions below to help you define the problem, categorize its size, and understand its potential consequences.

Part 1: Define Your Problem

  1. What is the specific decision you need to make or problem you are facing?






  2. Who else might be affected by this decision?



Part 2: Categorize Your Decision

  1. Based on your initial thoughts, how would you categorize this decision?

    • ( ) Small Deal
    • ( ) Medium Deal
    • ( ) Big Deal

  2. Briefly explain why you chose that category.






Part 3: Evaluate Consequences

  1. What are the potential positive consequences if you make a good choice or the situation resolves well?











  2. What are the potential negative consequences if you make a poor choice or the situation resolves poorly?











  3. After considering the potential consequences, would you change your categorization of this decision (Small, Medium, or Big Deal)? Why or why not?











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