Lesson Plan
Decision-Making Field Guide
Guide 10th graders in small groups to practice responsible decision-making by exploring real-life dilemmas, weighing options, and predicting outcomes using a structured field guide.
Developing strong decision-making skills empowers students to navigate complex choices, build confidence, and anticipate consequences. This lesson helps them practice structured reasoning, collaboration, and reflection—key competencies for responsible citizenship and personal success.
Audience
10th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Hands-on dilemmas, group discussion, and structured reflection.
Materials
Dilemma Explorer Slide Deck, - Rapid Choice Poll, - Scenario Showdown Cards, - Reflect & Share Reflection Sheets, and - Whiteboard and Markers
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Decision-Making Field Guide to understand the lesson flow
- Familiarize yourself with the Dilemma Explorer Slide Deck
- Load the Rapid Choice Poll in your chosen polling platform
- Print enough copies of the Scenario Showdown Cards for each small group
- Print the Reflect & Share Reflection Sheets for each student
Step 1
Warm-Up: Rapid Choice Poll
5 minutes
- Launch the Rapid Choice Poll and present 2–3 quick dilemmas
- Students respond via devices, selecting their immediate choices
- Briefly discuss patterns and encourage reflection on snap judgments
Step 2
Introduction to Decision-Making
5 minutes
- Share lesson objectives and outline the steps from the Decision-Making Field Guide
- Emphasize the importance of considering options, consequences, and values when making decisions
Step 3
Activity 1: Dilemma Explorer
10 minutes
- Display the first scenario on the Dilemma Explorer Slide Deck
- In small groups, students identify possible options and predict outcomes using Field Guide steps
- Groups note pros, cons, and any resources needed for each option
Step 4
Activity 2: Scenario Showdown
15 minutes
- Distribute the Scenario Showdown Cards to each group
- Groups select one card, discuss their preferred course of action, and apply the Field Guide’s decision steps
- Each group presents their chosen option, rationale, and predicted outcome to the class
Step 5
Cool-Down: Reflect & Share
8 minutes
- Hand out the Reflect & Share Reflection Sheets
- Students individually reflect on what they learned about decision-making and record one key takeaway
- Invite volunteers to share their reflections and discuss how they might apply these skills outside class
Step 6
Wrap-Up & Exit Ticket
2 minutes
- Summarize the top decision-making strategies covered today
- Ask students to write a quick exit ticket: “How will you use one decision-making step in your next real-life choice?”
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Slide Deck
Dilemma Explorer
A guided slide deck to help your small groups identify options, weigh pros and cons, and predict outcomes for real-life situations with friends, family, and your community.
Use the #4A90E2 background for the title slide. Welcome students and introduce the purpose: guiding them through everyday dilemmas outside school to practice structured decision-making.
How to Use This Deck
• Read each scenario aloud
• Discuss as a group:
– Possible Options
– Pros & Cons of each option
– Predicted Outcomes
– Resources or values to consider
• Record your notes in the space below
Explain how to fill in each section. Encourage groups to designate a recorder and reporter. Remind them to reference the Decision-Making Field Guide.
Scenario 1: The Lost Wallet
You find a wallet on the street containing cash and an ID card.
Group Notes:
• Possible Options:
– Keep the money and discard the wallet.
– Contact the owner using the ID and return it personally.
– Turn it in at the nearest police station or community center.
• Predicted Outcomes:
–
• Resources or Values to Consider:
–
Present Scenario 1 using a #5AA9E9 background. Give groups 2–3 minutes to discuss. Circulate to prompt deeper thinking.
Scenario 2: Family Chore Conflict
Your younger sibling never does chores, and now your parent asks you to cover their weekend tasks. You have your own plans.
Group Notes:
• Possible Options:
– Do both your chores and theirs to avoid conflict.
– Explain to your parent that it’s unfair and negotiate shared work.
– Refuse and stick to only your own chores.
• Predicted Outcomes:
–
• Resources or Values to Consider:
–
Switch to #6ABFEF background for Scenario 2. Remind students to think about fairness and family values.
Scenario 3: Park Litter Problem
You notice the neighborhood park is covered in trash every Monday after weekend barbecues.
Group Notes:
• Possible Options:
– Organize a volunteer clean-up with friends and neighbors.
– Report the issue to the city sanitation department and wait for action.
– Ignore it—assume someone else will handle it.
• Predicted Outcomes:
–
• Resources or Values to Consider:
–
Switch to #5AA9E9 background for Scenario 3. Encourage students to consider broader community impact.
Scenario 4: Community Center Fundraiser
Your local community center is short on funds for after-school programs. They ask residents to donate or help fundraise.
Group Notes:
• Possible Options:
– Donate a small amount of your own money.
– Organize a neighborhood fundraiser event.
– Politely decline, citing other obligations.
• Predicted Outcomes:
–
• Resources or Values to Consider:
–
Switch to #6ABFEF background for Scenario 4. Prompt students to weigh long-term community relationships.
Scenario 5: Peer Prank Proposal
Your friend wants you to help prank-call a neighbor late at night “just for laughs.” You’re unsure if it’s harmless.
Group Notes:
• Possible Options:
– Join the prank and laugh it off.
– Suggest a harmless alternative activity.
– Decline and explain your concerns.
• Predicted Outcomes:
–
• Resources or Values to Consider:
–
Switch to #5AA9E9 background for Scenario 5. Encourage students to weigh fun versus potential harm.
Scenario 6: A Stranger’s Request
A person on the street asks you for money claiming they need fare home.
Group Notes:
• Possible Options:
– Give them cash immediately.
– Offer to buy a bus ticket or direct them to a local shelter.
– Politely decline and keep walking.
• Predicted Outcomes:
–
• Resources or Values to Consider:
–
Use #4A90E2 for Scenario 6. Ask students to reflect on compassion versus personal comfort.
Scenario 7: Broken Streetlight Shortcut
You usually take a shortcut through an alley on your way home, but the streetlight there is broken, making it dark and potentially unsafe.
Group Notes:
• Possible Options:
– Report the broken light to city services and continue using the alley.
– Choose a longer, well-lit route each time.
– Organize neighbors to request quicker repairs.
• Predicted Outcomes:
–
• Resources or Values to Consider:
–
Switch to #5AA9E9 background for Scenario 7. Encourage students to think about reporting and personal safety.
Scenario 8: Suspicious Vehicle on the Block
You notice the same unmarked vehicle circling your neighborhood slowly on multiple evenings.
Group Notes:
• Possible Options:
– Call the non-emergency police line to report what you’ve seen.
– Alert neighbors through a group chat and ask if anyone knows the driver.
– Ignore it, assuming it’s harmless.
• Predicted Outcomes:
–
• Resources or Values to Consider:
–
Use #6ABFEF for Scenario 8. Prompt students to weigh vigilance versus overreaction.
Scenario 9: Underage House Party
Your friends plan a house party this weekend with alcohol available, and they want you to join.
Group Notes:
• Possible Options:
– Attend and join in.
– Suggest a no‐alcohol get‐together instead.
– Decline and explain your reasons.
• Predicted Outcomes:
–
• Resources or Values to Consider:
–
Switch to #5AA9E9 background for Scenario 9. Highlight peer pressure and personal boundaries.
Scenario 10: Summer Job vs. Family Vacation
Your family has planned a week‐long summer vacation, but you secured a job that requires you to work all week.
Group Notes:
• Possible Options:
– Ask your employer for time off and join vacation.
– Skip the vacation and keep your job.
– Propose splitting time between both.
• Predicted Outcomes:
–
• Resources or Values to Consider:
–
Use #6ABFEF for Scenario 10. Encourage weighing family obligations vs. personal goals.
Next Steps
• Choose one scenario to present:
– State your choice of option
– Share
Summarize key takeaways and remind them to present one scenario’s decision at the next step (Scenario Showdown).
Warm Up
Rapid Choice Poll
Purpose: Engage students in quick, low-stakes decision-making to reveal initial instincts and spark reflection on snap judgments.
Instructions for Teacher:
- Set up an instant poll (e.g., via Kahoot, Poll Everywhere, or Google Forms) with the three dilemmas below.
- Display each dilemma on screen, allow 30 seconds for voting, then reveal results.
- Briefly discuss emerging patterns: “What surprised you about the group’s choices? How did you decide so quickly?”
Dilemma 1: The Found Cash
You spot a $10 bill on the hallway floor.
• Option A: Keep it—finders keepers.
• Option B: Turn it in to the main office’s Lost & Found.
• Option C: Ask classmates if they lost money.
Dilemma 2: The Homework Helper
Your friend is stuck on a tough assignment during lunch.
• Option A: Help them solve it step-by-step.
• Option B: Give them the answers so you both can relax.
• Option C: Encourage them to ask the teacher after school.
Dilemma 3: The Group Chat Gossip
You see a classmate’s embarrassing photo circulating in your group chat.
• Option A: Do nothing—ignore it.
• Option B: Ask the sender to delete it and not share.
• Option C: Report it to a trusted adult.
Debrief (2–3 minutes):
- Highlight any trends (e.g., most chose “A” for Dilemma 1).
- Ask students: “What values or quick heuristics influenced your choices?”
- Connect to today’s lesson: these snap judgments are a starting point for more thoughtful decision-making.
Activity
Scenario Showdown Cards
Purpose: Deepen students’ decision-making practice by having each group analyze a dilemma, choose a course of action, and defend their reasoning.
Teacher Instructions:
- Shuffle the cards and deal one to each small group.
- Give groups 10 minutes to work through the scenario using the steps in the Decision-Making Field Guide:
• Identify possible options
• List pros & cons for each
• Predict outcomes
• Consider values or resources needed - After 10 minutes, each group has 1–2 minutes to present:
• State your chosen option
• Explain your rationale and predicted outcome - Facilitate a brief Q&A after each presentation to challenge assumptions and surface alternative viewpoints.
Card 1: The After-School Club Conflict
You’re on the student council. Two popular after-school clubs want the same budget increase, but there’s only enough money for one.
Group Notes:
• Options:
• Pros & Cons:
• Predicted Outcomes:
• Values/Resources to Consider:
Card 2: The Group Project Slackers
Your team project has a member who never contributes. You have one meeting left before the deadline.
Group Notes:
• Options:
• Pros & Cons:
• Predicted Outcomes:
• Values/Resources to Consider:
Card 3: The Textbook Price Dilemma
Your friend can’t afford the new math textbook. The school can lend one copy—but you need it too.
Group Notes:
• Options:
• Pros & Cons:
• Predicted Outcomes:
• Values/Resources to Consider:
Card 4: Weekend Job vs. SAT Prep
You’ve been offered a weekend job that pays well, but you need those hours to study for the SAT.
Group Notes:
• Options:
• Pros & Cons:
• Predicted Outcomes:
• Values/Resources to Consider:
Good luck! Encourage groups to defend their thinking with evidence and to question each other respectfully.
Cool Down
Reflect & Share Reflection Sheet
Instructions:
- Spend a few minutes thinking about today’s lesson on responsible decision-making.
- Write your responses to each prompt below.
- Be prepared to share at least one of your reflections with the class.
1. Key Takeaway
What is one important insight you gained about making thoughtful choices today?
2. Real-Life Application
Which step from the Decision-Making Field Guide will you use in your next real-life decision, and how?
3. Question for a Classmate
Write one question you could ask a peer to learn more about their decision-making process.
Thank you for reflecting—your thoughtful answers help you and others grow in making responsible choices!