Lesson Plan
Charting Ethical Decisions
Students will be able to apply an ethical decision-making framework to analyze complex dilemmas and propose solutions that are effective, fair, and just.
Developing a strong ethical compass is crucial for navigating life's challenges. This lesson will equip students with the tools to make responsible decisions that positively impact themselves and their communities, fostering moral reasoning and responsible citizenship.
Audience
11th Grade Class
Time
75 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, case study analysis, and reflective journaling.
Materials
Your Moral GPS (slide-deck), Case Studies in Ethical Dilemmas (reading), Debate the Dilemma (discussion), and My Ethical Reflection Log (journal)
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Charting Ethical Decisions Lesson Plan, Your Moral GPS Slide Deck, Case Studies in Ethical Dilemmas Reading, Debate the Dilemma Discussion Guide, and My Ethical Reflection Log Journal to familiarize yourself with the content and activities.
* Print copies of the Case Studies in Ethical Dilemmas Reading (one per student or group).
* Prepare the classroom for group discussions and potential debate setup.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Would You Do?
10 minutes
- Begin with a quick warm-up. Ask students: "Imagine you find a wallet full of money. What would you do? Why?"
* Facilitate a brief class discussion, noting different responses and the reasons behind them.
* Introduce the idea that decision-making often involves more than just right or wrong, but also considering impact and fairness.
Step 2
Introduction to The Ethical Compass
15 minutes
- Present the Your Moral GPS Slide Deck slides 1-3. Introduce the concept of an ethical compass and the importance of responsible decision-making.
* Explain the core components of an ethical framework (e.g., identify the dilemma, gather information, brainstorm solutions, evaluate consequences, make a decision, reflect).
* Emphasize that this framework helps navigate complex situations methodically.
Step 3
Case Study Analysis
20 minutes
- Distribute the Case Studies in Ethical Dilemmas Reading to students.
* Divide students into small groups (3-4 students). Assign each group one or two case studies to analyze using the ethical framework discussed.
* Instruct groups to discuss the dilemma, apply the framework steps, and come up with a proposed solution. Encourage them to consider various perspectives and potential impacts.
Step 4
Debate the Dilemma
15 minutes
- Bring the class back together. Have each group briefly present their assigned case study and their proposed solution.
* Facilitate a class-wide Debate the Dilemma Discussion on one or two of the more complex or polarizing case studies.
* Encourage respectful disagreement and critical thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of different ethical approaches and solutions. Guide the discussion using prompts from the Debate the Dilemma Discussion Guide.
Step 5
Reflection and Wrap-Up
15 minutes
- Distribute the My Ethical Reflection Log Journal.
* Ask students to choose one of the case studies (either one they discussed or a new one from the reading) and complete the reflection log independently.
* Conclude by reiterating the value of using an ethical framework in everyday life and encouraging students to continuously hone their ethical compass. Collect journals for review or allow students to keep them for personal reflection.
Slide Deck
Your Ethical Compass: Navigating Life's Choices
How do you make tough decisions? What helps you choose the "right" path?
Welcome students and introduce the concept of an "ethical compass." Ask them to think about what guides their decisions. Transition into the warm-up activity mentioned in the lesson plan.
What's an Ethical Dilemma?
A situation where you have to choose between two or more morally conflicting options.
There's no easy "right" answer, and each choice has consequences.
Explain that an ethical dilemma is a situation where two moral principles conflict, and choosing one means compromising the other. Give a simple, relatable example like choosing between telling a truth that hurts someone or telling a white lie to protect their feelings. This sets the stage for why an ethical framework is useful.
Charting Ethical Decisions: Our Moral GPS
A step-by-step guide to making responsible, fair, and just choices.
It helps you map out the best route when facing tough decisions.
Introduce the idea of a structured approach to ethical decision-making. Emphasize that this framework is a tool, not a rigid rulebook, designed to help them think critically and comprehensively. Walk them through the steps visually. Refer to the Charting Ethical Decisions Lesson Plan for specific talking points.
Step 1: Identify the Ethical Dilemma
What's the core problem or conflict?
Who are the stakeholders (people affected)?
What are the values at stake?
Detail the first step: identifying the core problem. Stress the importance of clarity – if you don't know the real problem, you can't solve it effectively. Ask students for quick examples of simple problems they've had to identify.
Step 2: Gather Relevant Information
What facts do you need to know?
Are there any unknowns?
What are the different perspectives involved?
Explain why gathering information is crucial. Misinformation or lack of information can lead to poor decisions. Encourage students to think about reliable sources and different perspectives. Ask them: "Where would you go for information if you had a problem at school?"
Step 3: Brainstorm Possible Solutions
What are all the potential ways to solve this problem?
Don't judge ideas yet – just list them!
Encourage creative thinking here. Explain that there's rarely only one solution. Brainstorming multiple options, even seemingly outlandish ones, can sometimes lead to the most innovative and ethical outcomes.
Step 4: Evaluate Each Solution
What are the potential consequences (good and bad) of each solution?
Who will be affected, and how?
Does it align with ethical principles (fairness, honesty, compassion)?
This is where the ethical framework truly comes into play. For each brainstormed solution, students need to consider the positive and negative consequences across various ethical lenses (e.g., fairness, compassion, honesty, impact on others). Use a T-chart or similar visual if helpful.
Step 5: Make Your Decision
Choose the solution that best addresses the dilemma while upholding ethical principles and minimizing harm.
Be prepared to justify your choice.
Explain that after evaluating, the decision should be well-reasoned and justifiable. It might not be perfect, but it should be the most ethical choice based on the information and evaluation. Emphasize that it's okay if it's tough; that's the nature of dilemmas.
Step 6: Reflect on the Outcome
What happened as a result of your decision?
What did you learn from this experience?
How might you approach a similar situation in the future?
Reflection is key for growth. Encourage students to think about what went well, what they'd change, and what they learned. This reinforces the learning and helps them refine their "moral GPS" for future decisions.
Practice Time: Real-World Dilemmas
Now, let's put our Ethical Compass to the test with some case studies.
Work in groups to apply the 6 steps!
Transition to the group activity where students will apply this framework to the case studies. Remind them that practice makes perfect when using this tool. Refer to the Charting Ethical Decisions Lesson Plan for group instructions.
Reading
Case Studies in Ethical Dilemmas
Read the following scenarios carefully. As you read, think about the ethical principles involved and how you might approach each situation using the ethical decision-making framework.
Case Study 1: The Plagiarized Project
Sarah and Emily are working on a major group project for their English class, which counts for a significant portion of their final grade. The deadline is approaching, and they are both feeling the pressure. Emily, who has been struggling with other classes, admits to Sarah that she copied a substantial part of her section of the project from an old online essay without properly citing it. She begs Sarah not to say anything, explaining that a failing grade on this project could jeopardize her chances of graduating and getting into her chosen college. Sarah knows that if she reports it, Emily will likely fail the project and face serious consequences. If she stays silent, both she and Emily might get a good grade, but it would be dishonest.
Dilemma: Should Sarah report Emily's plagiarism, knowing it could ruin Emily's academic future, or should she keep silent to protect her friend, compromising her own integrity and the academic honesty of the project?
Case Study 2: The Social Media Secret
Liam discovers that his friend, Chloe, has been posting mean and untrue rumors about another student, David, on a private social media group. David has been noticeably upset and withdrawn lately, and Liam suspects it's because of the bullying. Liam is part of the private group, and if he reports Chloe, he risks being ostracized by their mutual friends who are also in the group and might consider him a
Discussion
Debate the Dilemma: Discussion Guide
This guide will help facilitate a class discussion or debate around the ethical case studies. Encourage students to use the ethical framework we discussed to support their arguments and to listen respectfully to differing viewpoints.
Discussion Guidelines:
- Be Respectful: Listen actively to others' opinions, even if you disagree.
- Support Your Claims: Use evidence from the case study and the ethical framework to justify your position.
- Focus on Ideas: Critique arguments, not people.
- One Voice at a Time: Allow everyone a chance to speak.
- Be Open-Minded: Consider how new information or perspectives might change your view.
Opening Questions for Each Case Study (Teacher-Led):
- What is the core ethical dilemma in this case? What values are in conflict?
- Who are the primary stakeholders, and how might each be affected by different decisions?
- What are some of the potential solutions that were brainstormed by your groups?
Deeper Dive & Debate Prompts:
- Which of the proposed solutions do you believe is the most ethical? Why? (Encourage students to reference specific steps of the ethical framework).
- What are the potential negative consequences of the most
Journal
My Ethical Reflection Log
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Choose one of the ethical dilemmas we discussed or from the Case Studies in Ethical Dilemmas Reading. Use this log to reflect on the situation and apply your ethical compass.
1. The Dilemma I Chose:
2. Identify the Ethical Dilemma:
- What is the core conflict or problem?
- Who are the people (stakeholders) involved or affected?
- What values are at stake?
3. Gather Relevant Information:
- What facts do I know about the situation?
- What additional information would be helpful to know?
- Are there different perspectives I need to consider?
4. Brainstorm Possible Solutions:
- List at least three different ways this dilemma could be resolved. Don't worry about how good they are yet.
5. Evaluate Each Solution:
- For each solution you brainstormed, consider the positive and negative consequences. Who would be helped? Who might be harmed? Does it align with ethical principles (fairness, honesty, compassion)?
Solution 1 Evaluation:
Solution 2 Evaluation:
Solution 3 Evaluation:
6. Make Your Decision:
- Which solution do you choose? Why do you believe this is the most ethical choice? Justify your reasoning using the ethical framework.
7. Reflect on the Outcome (Hypothetical):
- If you were to implement your decision, what do you think would be the immediate results?
- What might be some long-term consequences?
- What did you learn from analyzing this dilemma?