Teacher Script: Think Smart, Decide Right

Introduction & Do Now (5 minutes)

(Teacher): "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're embarking on a journey to sharpen our minds and make smarter choices. Our lesson is titled 'Think Smart, Decide Right: Your Critical Choices.' We're going to explore what it means to think critically and how to make truly responsible decisions.

To get us started, let's do a quick 'Do Now.' I want you to think about a significant decision you've made recently that felt really positive or successful. What made it a 'good' decision? What factors did you consider? Jot down a few ideas or share them quickly with a partner. [Refer to 'Do Now' slide from Slide Deck: Critical Choices Power-Up].

(Teacher): "Alright, let's hear some thoughts. What made those decisions 'good' in your eyes?" (Allow 2-3 students to share, guiding them to focus on their thought process).

Direct Instruction: Critical Thinking & Vocabulary (15 minutes)

(Teacher): "Excellent! Often, what makes a decision 'good' is the thinking that goes into it. That brings us to Critical Thinking. [Transition to 'What is Critical Thinking?' slide].

Critical thinking isn't just thinking; it's a specific way of thinking: objective analysis and evaluation of information to form a judgment. It's about being clear, rational, and open-minded, rather than just accepting things at face value. Why is this skill so valuable, especially in today's world with so much information? (Discuss information overload, fake news, complex problems).

Now, let's build our vocabulary toolkit for critical thinking. [Transition to 'Key Vocabulary: Analyze & Evaluate' slide].

First up: Analyze. To analyze means to examine something in detail, breaking it down to understand its structure, components, or underlying causes. Think of it like taking apart a complex machine to see how each piece works. When you're making a decision, what might you need to analyze? (e.g., the situation, the available facts, different perspectives).

Next, Evaluate. This means to assess the value, significance, or quality of something. After you've analyzed all the pieces, you need to weigh them. How do we evaluate something? What questions might we ask? (e.g., Is this source reliable? What are the pros and cons? What's most important here?).

[Transition to 'Key Vocabulary: Bias & Consequence' slide]. Our third word is Bias. Bias is a prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, often in a way considered unfair. We all have biases, sometimes without even realizing it. Why is it important to identify potential biases when you're critically thinking or making a decision? (Discuss how bias can distort judgment).

And then there's Consequence. A consequence is simply a result or effect of an action or condition. Every choice, big or small, has consequences. When making a decision, what kinds of consequences should we consider? (e.g., short-term, long-term, for ourselves, for others).

[Transition to 'Key Vocabulary: Ethical' slide]. Finally, Ethical. Something is ethical if it relates to moral principles; it's morally good or correct. When we make ethical decisions, we're considering fairness, honesty, and respect for others. Why is the 'ethical' aspect so crucial in responsible decision-making? (Discuss impact on others, integrity).

Direct Instruction: Responsible Decision Making (10 minutes)

(Teacher): "Great! So, we have our critical thinking tools. Now, let's put them into a structured process for making responsible decisions. [Transition to 'Steps for Responsible Decision Making' slide].

Here are seven steps to guide us:

1. Identify the Decision: Be crystal clear about the problem or choice you need to make.
2. Gather Information: Don't just rely on assumptions. Seek out facts, different viewpoints, and reliable sources. This is where 'analyzing' comes in.
3. Analyze Options: Use your critical thinking skills! Break down the information, 'evaluate' what you've found, and try to identify any 'biases' (yours or others').
4. Develop Alternatives: Don't just stick with the first solution that comes to mind. Brainstorm multiple possible courses of action.
5. Choose the Best Option: Based on your analysis and evaluation, select the choice that has the most positive and 'ethical' 'consequences' for everyone involved.
6. Act on Your Decision: Once you've decided, put your plan into action.
7. Reflect on the Outcome: After the dust settles, think about what happened. What did you learn? What would you do differently next time? This helps you grow for future decisions.

This framework helps ensure you're making thoughtful, well-reasoned choices."

Activity: Decision Dilemmas (10 minutes)

(Teacher): "Now, let's put these critical thinking skills and our 7-step framework to the test! [Transition to 'Activity: Decision Dilemmas' slide].

I'm going to divide you into small groups of 2-3. Each group will receive a scenario from the Activity: Decision Dilemmas worksheet. Your task is to role-play or discuss the scenario, applying the critical thinking vocabulary and, most importantly, working through the 7-step Responsible Decision-Making framework to arrive at a responsible choice.

You'll have about 10 minutes for this. I'll be circulating to listen in, offer guidance, and answer any questions. Remember to think through each step!"

(Teacher): (Circulate, assist groups, encourage application of vocabulary and the 7-step framework).

Wrap-up & Discussion (5 minutes)

(Teacher): "Alright everyone, let's bring our attention back together. [Transition to 'Wrap-up & Discussion: Your Choices Matter' slide].

How did that feel? What did you observe or learn about using critical thinking and the decision-making framework in your scenarios? What was challenging about going through those steps? What was surprisingly effective? How can applying these skills make a difference in your daily interactions, whether at school, home, or with friends, or even your future career?" (Facilitate a brief discussion, highlighting student experiences and reinforcing the importance of these skills).

Cool Down: My Decision Commitment (5 minutes)

(Teacher): "Excellent discussion, thank you. To solidify our learning, please take a moment to complete this quick exit ticket. [Transition to 'Cool Down: My Decision Commitment' slide].

On a slip of paper, I want you to 'Identify ONE critical thinking skill or decision-making step you learned today that you commit to practicing this week, and briefly explain how you'll use it.' Just one skill/step and a sentence or two of explanation.

Thank you all for your active participation today! Please hand in your exit tickets as you leave." (Collect exit tickets)."

Activity: Decision Dilemmas

Instructions: In your small groups (2-3 students), choose ONE of the scenarios below. Your task is to apply the critical thinking vocabulary (Analyze, Evaluate, Bias, Consequence, Ethical) and work through the 7-Step Responsible Decision-Making Framework to arrive at a well-reasoned and responsible choice.

7-Step Responsible Decision-Making Framework:

1. Identify the Decision
2. Gather Information
3. Analyze Options
4. Develop Alternatives
5. Choose the Best Option
6. Act on Your Decision
7. Reflect on the Outcome

Be prepared to share your group's process and final decision with the class!

Scenario 1: The Group Project Predicament

You are part of a 4-person group working on a major presentation due next week. One member, Taylor, has barely contributed anything, frequently misses group meetings, and hasn't responded to messages. Your group is worried about your grade, but you also don't want to unfairly throw Taylor under the bus.

• Your Goal: Decide how to address Taylor's lack of contribution while ensuring the project is completed successfully and fairly for everyone.
• Consider: What information do you need to gather? How will you analyze the different ways to approach Taylor? What are the potential consequences of each alternative? What is the most ethical path?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Scenario 2: The Online Rumor

Your close friend, Jamie, tells you that they saw a post on a popular social media account spreading an unverified and potentially damaging rumor about another classmate, Sam. Jamie is considering reposting it because they think it's funny, but you're not sure if it's true or if it could hurt Sam. You know Sam is sensitive.

• Your Goal: Decide how to respond to Jamie and the rumor in a responsible and supportive way.
• Consider: How will you analyze the reliability of the information? What are the potential immediate and long-term consequences for Sam, Jamie, and yourself? Are there any biases at play? What is the ethical choice here?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Scenario 3: The Part-Time Job Offer

You've been offered a great part-time job that pays well and would look fantastic on your college applications. The only problem is that the hours conflict with your weekly volunteering commitment at the local animal shelter, which you genuinely love and where they rely on you heavily. You can only do one.

• Your Goal: Decide whether to take the job or continue volunteering, considering all factors responsibly.
• Consider: What information do you need to gather about both opportunities and your own priorities? How will you evaluate the short-term and long-term consequences for yourself and others? Are there any biases in your thinking? What is the most ethical decision given your commitments and aspirations?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Cool Down: My Decision Commitment

Instructions: On a slip of paper, please answer the following question:

Identify ONE critical thinking skill (Analyze, Evaluate, Bias, Consequence, or Ethical) or ONE step from the 7-Step Responsible Decision-Making Framework that you commit to practicing this week. Briefly explain how you will use it in a real-life situation.

Example:

"I commit to practicing Gather Information this week. Before deciding on a college major, I will research different career paths, talk to professionals, and look at course requirements to make an informed choice."

Thank you for your hard work today! Your commitment helps you become a more thoughtful and responsible decision-maker.