Your Choices, Your Future Script

Warm-Up: Think About It (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Let's start our lesson with a quick warm-up activity. I'm going to put a prompt on the screen (or hand out the Warm-Up: Think About It). I want you to silently read it and take about three minutes to write down your thoughts."

(Display/distribute the warm-up prompt: "What does 'making a good choice' mean to you? How can your choices impact your future?")

Teacher: "Alright, pencils down. Would anyone like to share what 'making a good choice' means to them? How do you see your choices impacting your future?"

(Allow 2-3 students to share, briefly acknowledging their responses.)

Introduction & Slide Deck Presentation (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Thank you for those thoughtful responses. Today, we're going to dive deeper into the power of our choices. Every single day, you make countless decisions, big and small, and each one plays a part in shaping who you become and the life you'll lead.

Our lesson today, 'Your Choices, Your Future,' is all about understanding the impact of these decisions, especially when it comes to navigating challenges and choosing positive paths. We'll be using our Slide Deck: Your Choices, Your Future to guide us. Let's begin."

(Advance to Slide 1: "Your Choices, Your Future")

Teacher: "Take a look at this title. 'Your Choices, Your Future.' It sounds pretty powerful, right? Because it is. Every decision you make, every path you choose, shapes your journey. Today, we're going to explore what that really means."

(Advance to Slide 2: "What's a Positive Choice?")

Teacher: "So, what exactly is a 'positive choice'? It's more than just doing something 'good.' A positive choice is a decision that benefits you, and often others around you. It aligns with your values—what you believe is important—and it leads to positive outcomes, keeping you safe, healthy, and on track for success. Can anyone give an example of a positive choice they made recently?"

(Allow 1-2 students to share briefly.)

(Advance to Slide 3: "Choices & Consequences")

Teacher: "Now, let's talk about choices and their consequences. Think of it like a ripple effect. When you drop a pebble into water, ripples spread out, right? Your choices are like those pebbles. Every action has a reaction. Positive choices often lead to positive consequences – like getting good grades because you studied, or having strong friendships because you're a good listener. What about negative choices? What kind of consequences can they lead to?"

(Allow 1-2 students to share, e.g., 'getting in trouble,' 'losing trust.')

Teacher: "Exactly. It could be losing trust, getting in trouble, or missing out on opportunities. It's important to remember that these ripples can affect not just you, but also your family and friends."

(Advance to Slide 4: "Understanding Group Pressure")

Teacher: "Sometimes, our decisions are influenced by the groups we're a part of, or groups we might want to join. We all want to belong, that's natural. But it's crucial to understand who and what is influencing us. On this slide, we introduce the idea of 'group pressure.' We're specifically going to talk about gangs today, not to scare you, but to inform you about real risks. A gang is typically a group of people involved in illegal or harmful activities. They often use fear, intimidation, or pressure to get people to join or do things. They might promise things like belonging, protection, or money, but these promises usually come with a very high price: danger and regret. Has anyone heard about how group pressure can influence decisions?"

(Briefly allow 1-2 responses.)

(Advance to Slide 5: "The Real Risks of Gangs")

Teacher: "Let's be very clear about the real risks of gang involvement. When someone gets involved with a gang, it often leads to:

• Violence and Danger: This could mean physical harm, living in constant fear, and being in unsafe situations.
• Legal Trouble: Getting arrested, facing jail time, and having a criminal record can seriously impact your entire life.
• Loss of Freedom: Instead of making your own choices, you might find yourself controlled by others in the gang.
• Impact on Future: Your education, chances for good jobs, and your personal goals can be destroyed.
• Harm to Loved Ones: Your choices don't just affect you; they can bring pain and worry to your family and friends.

These aren't just stories; these are real consequences that can change a person's life forever. This is why understanding these risks now is so important."

(Advance to Slide 6: "Building a Better Future")

Teacher: "The good news is, you have the power to choose your path! You can build a better future by making positive choices. Here are some ways:

• Positive Peer Groups: Surround yourself with friends who support your goals, respect you, and encourage you to do well.
• School & Community Activities: Get involved! Join sports teams, clubs, volunteer groups. These are great places to find belonging and develop new skills.
• Trusted Adults: Talk to family members, teachers, counselors, or other adults you trust. They can offer guidance and support.
• Say NO to Pressure: This is a big one. It takes courage, but standing firm in your values and saying no to anything that feels wrong or unsafe is one of the most powerful choices you can make."

(Advance to Slide 7: "Your Path, Your Power")

Teacher: "Remember, every day is a new opportunity to make choices that lead to the future you want. You have the power within you to create a life that is safe, fulfilling, and aligns with your dreams. What kind of future will you choose? Keep this question in mind as we move into our discussion."

Discussion: Weighing Your Options (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Now, let's open it up for a class discussion using our Discussion Guide: Weighing Your Options. I want to hear your thoughts on these important topics. Remember to listen respectfully to each other and contribute thoughtfully."

(Pose questions from the Discussion Guide. Facilitate discussion, ensuring participation and keeping it focused on positive choices and understanding risks. Guide students towards critical thinking about scenarios.)

Journal Reflection & Cool-Down: One Word Wisdom (5 minutes)

Teacher: "To wrap up, I'm going to hand out a short Journal: My Path, My Choices prompt. Please take a few minutes to reflect on what we've discussed today and how you can apply it to your own choices.

Then, for our cool-down, I want each of you to think of one word that summarizes your main takeaway from today's lesson. It could be a feeling, a concept, or something new you learned. When I call on you, or when you leave, you can share your 'One Word Wisdom' (refer to Cool-Down: One Word Wisdom)."

(Collect journals, or have students submit their one word as an exit ticket.)

Teacher: "Thank you all for your thoughtful participation today. Remember the power of your choices!"

Warm-Up: Think About It

Instructions: Take a few minutes to silently reflect and write down your thoughts on the prompt below.

Prompt:

What does 'making a good choice' mean to you? How can your choices impact your future?

Discussion Guide: Weighing Your Options

Instructions: Participate respectfully in a class discussion about choices and their impact. Listen to your classmates and share your thoughts thoughtfully.

Discussion Questions:

1. Can you think of a time when a choice you made, big or small, had an unexpected consequence? What did you learn from it?
   
   
   
2. Why do you think people sometimes make choices that they know might lead to negative consequences?
   
   
   
3. What are some healthy ways to find a sense of belonging or community at school or in your neighborhood?
   
   
   
4. Imagine someone is being pressured to make a choice they're uncomfortable with. What advice would you give them about standing firm in their values and saying no?
   
   
   
5. How can having clear personal goals (like doing well in school, learning a new skill, or spending time with family) help you make positive choices for your future?
   
   
   

Journal: My Path, My Choices

Instructions: Reflect on today's lesson and respond to the prompt below. Your honest thoughts are important.

Journal Prompt:

Based on what we discussed today, what is one specific positive choice you can commit to making in the next week that will help you move towards a safe and fulfilling future? Explain why this choice is important to you and how you plan to make it happen.

Cool-Down: One Word Wisdom

Instructions: Think about today's lesson on choices and your future. What is ONE WORD that summarizes your main takeaway or biggest learning from our discussion?