Lesson Plan
Navigating Daily Choices
Students will be able to identify common daily choices and understand the potential positive and negative outcomes of their decisions.
Developing good decision-making skills early empowers students to navigate everyday situations successfully, build independence, and understand the consequences of their actions, leading to more positive experiences.
Audience
6th Grade Special Education Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, scenario analysis, and personal reflection.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Daily Choices Slide Deck, Scenario Cards, Decision-Making Worksheet, and Pens/Pencils
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Navigating Daily Choices Lesson Plan and all generated materials.
- Prepare the whiteboard or projector for the Daily Choices Slide Deck.
- Print and cut out the Scenario Cards.
- Print enough copies of the Decision-Making Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure pens or pencils are available.
Step 1
Introduction: What Are Choices?
5 minutes
- Greet students and introduce the topic: daily choices.
- Ask students: "What is a choice? Can you give me an example of a small choice you made this morning?" (e.g., what to wear, what to eat for breakfast).
- Explain that we make choices all the time, and today we'll learn about thinking through them.
- Use Daily Choices Slide Deck Slide 1-2 to guide this discussion.
Step 2
Exploring Outcomes
10 minutes
- Introduce the idea that every choice has an outcome – something that happens because of the choice.
- Present a simple scenario (e.g., "You chose to finish your homework last night."). Ask: "What's a possible good outcome? What's a possible not-so-good outcome if you didn't?"
- Discuss how some outcomes are immediate and some are later.
- Use Daily Choices Slide Deck Slides 3-4.
Step 3
Scenario Activity: Make a Good Choice
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (2-3 students per group).
- Give each group one Scenario Card.
- Instruct groups to read their scenario and discuss:
- What choices does the character in the scenario have?
- What might be the outcomes of each choice?
- What would be a good choice in this situation and why?
- Circulate and provide support as needed.
- Use Daily Choices Slide Deck Slide 5.
Step 4
Share and Reflect
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask each group to briefly share their scenario and the good choice they identified.
- Distribute the Decision-Making Worksheet as an exit ticket or for homework.
- Conclude by emphasizing that thinking about choices helps us make good decisions for ourselves and others.
- Use Daily Choices Slide Deck Slide 6.
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Slide Deck
Navigating Daily Choices
How do your daily decisions shape your day?
Welcome students and introduce the lesson topic. Ask students what 'choices' mean to them and if they have made any choices this morning. This sets the stage and gets them thinking.
What is a Choice?
A choice is when you pick between two or more things.
Examples:
- What to wear to school.
- What to eat for lunch.
- Whether to play inside or outside.
Define what a choice is in simple terms. Ask for examples of small choices students make every day (e.g., what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, whether to pack their bag). Emphasize that choices are part of everyday life.
Every Choice Has an Outcome
An outcome is what happens AFTER you make a choice.
- Some outcomes are good!
- Some outcomes are not so good.
- Some outcomes happen right away.
- Some outcomes happen later.
Introduce the concept of 'outcomes.' Explain that every choice leads to something happening. Use simple language and relatable examples.
Thinking About Outcomes: Example
Choice: You decided to study for your test last night.
- Good Outcome: You feel confident and do well on the test!
- Not-So-Good Outcome (if you didn't study): You feel worried and might not do well.
Provide a clear, simple example to illustrate choices and outcomes. Encourage students to think about both the positive and negative possibilities. This helps them connect choices to their consequences.
Activity: Make a Good Choice!
Work in small groups:
- Read your Scenario Card.
- Discuss the choices the character can make.
- Talk about the outcomes of each choice.
- Decide together: What is the best choice and why?
Explain the group activity. Ensure students understand that they will work together to discuss a scenario and identify good choices and their outcomes. Remind them to be respectful of each other's ideas.
Reflect and Plan
Thinking about your choices helps you make good decisions!
Today, you learned to:
- Identify choices.
- Think about outcomes.
- Practice making good decisions.
Complete your Decision-Making Worksheet!
Conclude the lesson by reviewing the main idea: thinking about choices helps us make good decisions. Distribute the Decision-Making Worksheet and explain its purpose (exit ticket or homework).
Activity
Scenario Cards
Cut these cards out and distribute one to each small group. Students will discuss the choices and outcomes for each scenario.
Scenario Card 1: Homework Hustle
It's Tuesday night, and you have a big math test tomorrow. You also really want to play your favorite video game. Your mom said you need to finish your homework before playing.
What are your choices?
What are the possible outcomes of each choice?
What would be a good choice, and why?
Scenario Card 2: Lunchroom Dilemma
During lunch, your friend asks you to share your snacks. You only packed enough for yourself, and you're still hungry.
What are your choices?
What are the possible outcomes of each choice?
What would be a good choice, and why?
Scenario Card 3: Group Project Panic
You're working on a group project, and one of your teammates isn't doing their part. The deadline is tomorrow, and the project isn't finished.
What are your choices?
What are the possible outcomes of each choice?
What would be a good choice, and why?
Scenario Card 4: Playground Problem
You see a younger student being teased by a few older kids on the playground. You feel a little scared to say something, but you know it's not right.
What are your choices?
What are the possible outcomes of each choice?
What would be a good choice, and why?
Worksheet
Decision-Making Worksheet: My Daily Choices
Name: ________________________ Date: _______________
Think about a choice you made today, or a choice you will need to make soon. Use the questions below to think through your decision.
1. My Choice
What is the choice you need to make or already made?
2. My Options
What are the different things you could choose to do?
Option A:
Option B:
Option C (if applicable):
3. Possible Outcomes
For each option, what do you think might happen? (Think about good and not-so-good outcomes, and immediate or later outcomes).
If I choose Option A:
If I choose Option B:
If I choose Option C:
4. My Best Choice
Which option do you think is the best choice, and why?
5. What did I learn?
What did you learn about making choices today?