Lesson Plan
Navigate Your Future Lesson Plan
Students will practice structured decision-making by analyzing real-life scenarios, mapping choices to outcomes, and reflecting on personal influences to improve future choices.
Strong decision-making skills empower students to evaluate options, understand influencing factors, and make informed choices that shape their academic, personal, and professional futures.
Audience
12th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive polling, collaborative scenario analysis, personal reflection.
Prep
Review and Print Materials
10 minutes
- Review Decision-Making Scenarios Handout and Reflection Worksheet: Choices and Outcomes.
- Print one copy of each handout per student.
- Ensure all students have access to devices for the Online Polling Tool Access.
- Arrange seating for group work.
Step 1
Warm-Up Activity
5 minutes
- Pose a decision prompt (e.g., two senior privileges) and have students choose via the Online Polling Tool Access.
- Display live results and ask: “What factors influenced your choice?”
- Briefly note common influences (values, peers, resources).
Step 2
Group Scenario Analysis
15 minutes
- Distribute Decision-Making Scenarios Handout.
- Students in groups of 3–4 select one scenario and identify its key decision points.
- Use the handout to map possible choices and their potential outcomes.
- Discuss how factors like personal values and external pressures affect each option.
Step 3
Reflection and Discussion
7 minutes
- Students complete the Reflection Worksheet: Choices and Outcomes, describing a personal decision and its influencing factors.
- Encourage students to consider alternative choices and outcomes.
- Invite volunteers to share insights and lessons learned.
Step 4
Exit Ticket
3 minutes
- Ask students to write one key takeaway about decision-making skills on a sticky note or digital submission.
- Collect responses or have students submit via the Online Polling Tool Access.
- Summarize common themes and remind students how these skills apply to future decisions.
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Slide Deck
Navigate Your Future
Workshop: Decision-Making Skills
Duration: 30 minutes
Audience: 12th Grade
Welcome students to today’s session on decision-making. Explain that strong decision-making skills help shape personal, academic, and professional futures. Introduce the agenda and slide deck.
Learning Objectives
• Analyze real-life scenarios to identify key decision points
• Map choices to potential outcomes
• Reflect on personal influences to improve future decisions
Read each objective aloud and emphasize why each skill matters. Encourage students to think about times they’ve faced decisions.
Warm-Up Activity
- Poll: Select one option via Online Polling Tool
- Discuss: What factors influenced your choice?
- Note common influences (values, peers, resources)
Launch the poll using the Online Polling Tool. Ask a fun prompt (e.g., choose one senior privilege). Display results live, then ask students: “What factors influenced your choice?” Record common themes on the board.
Group Scenario Analysis
• Distribute Decision-Making Scenarios Handout
• In groups, select a scenario and identify decision points
• Map possible choices and outcomes
• Discuss how values and external pressures shape decisions
Distribute the handout. Form groups of 3–4. Circulate and prompt deeper thinking: “How might outcomes change if values differ?” Keep groups on task and track time.
Reflection & Discussion
• Complete Reflection Worksheet: Choices and Outcomes
• Describe a personal decision and its influencing factors
• Consider alternative choices and outcomes
• Share insights with the class
Ask students to complete the reflection sheet silently. Offer examples if needed. Then invite 2–3 volunteers to share their reflections and what they learned.
Exit Ticket & Summary
• Write one key takeaway on a sticky note or submit via Online Polling Tool
• Reflect on how you’ll apply these decision-making skills
• Thank you and next steps
Collect sticky notes or poll submissions. Summarize the most common takeaways. Remind students how to use these skills in future academic and personal choices.
Worksheet
Decision-Making Scenarios Handout
Use this handout to analyze each scenario: identify the key decision point, list possible options, map potential outcomes, and note influencing factors.
Scenario 1: Choosing Between Two Extracurricular Activities
You must decide between joining the school volunteer club (passion for community service) or trying out for the varsity soccer team (time commitment, leadership opportunities).
- Decision Point: Which activity will you choose?
- Possible Options:
- Option A: Join the volunteer club.
- Option B: Try out for the soccer team.
- Option A: Join the volunteer club.
- Potential Outcomes:
- Option A:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- Option B:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- Option A:
- Influencing Factors (values, time, peer pressure, personal goals):
Scenario 2: Allocating a $200 Budget
You receive a $200 gift and must choose to spend it on a new video game console, save it for college, or split between smaller purchases and savings.
- Decision Point: How will you allocate the $200?
- Possible Options:
- Option A: Spend all on a console.
- Option B: Save all for college.
- Option C: Split between purchases and savings.
- Option A: Spend all on a console.
- Potential Outcomes:
- Option A:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- Option B:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- Option C:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- Option A:
- Influencing Factors (future goals, enjoyment vs. necessity, peer trends):
Scenario 3: Picking a Senior Year Course Load
Choose between a heavy AP-focused schedule or a lighter load with electives you enjoy and more free time.
- Decision Point: What course load will you select?
- Possible Options:
- Option A: Three AP courses.
- Option B: Two AP courses + one elective.
- Option C: One AP course + two electives.
- Option A: Three AP courses.
- Potential Outcomes:
- Option A:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- Option B:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- Option C:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- Option A:
- Influencing Factors (college aspirations, stress tolerance, personal interest):
Scenario 4: Balancing a Part-Time Job with College Prep
You can work 15 hours/week for income but need time for college applications and test prep.
- Decision Point: How will you balance work and prep?
- Possible Options:
- Option A: Full 15-hour schedule.
- Option B: Reduced to 8 hours/week.
- Option C: Decline the job to focus on applications.
- Option A: Full 15-hour schedule.
- Potential Outcomes:
- Option A:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- Option B:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- Option C:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- Option A:
- Influencing Factors (financial needs, academic goals, stress management):
Worksheet
Reflection Worksheet: Choices and Outcomes
Use this worksheet to reflect on a personal decision, analyze influencing factors, and identify lessons for future choices.
1. Describe Your Decision
What meaningful decision did you recently make? (academic, personal, extracurricular, etc.)
2. Outline Your Options
List the main options you considered and briefly describe each.
- Option A: ________________________________
- Option B: ________________________________
- Option C (if applicable): ________________________________
3. Influencing Factors
What factors influenced your decision? (Consider values, time, resources, advice from others, emotions.)
4. Describe the Outcome
What happened after you made your choice? Describe any immediate and longer-term effects.
5. Reflection on Choice
Would you make the same choice again? Why or why not?
6. Lesson Learned
State one key lesson you learned from this decision-making experience.
7. Applying the Lesson
How will you apply this lesson to future decisions in your life or studies?
Complete this reflection quietly, then be prepared to discuss your insights with a partner or small group.