Lesson Plan
Your Choices, Your Story
Students will analyze a risk scenario (digital/substance/relationship) and list two positive and two negative potential consequences for each choice path.
Understanding consequences helps students make more thoughtful decisions and navigate complex real-life scenarios, fostering responsible behavior and personal growth.
Audience
10th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive activities using decision trees and risk analysis.
Materials
Smartboard or projector, Think Ahead, Choose Wisely Slides, Choice Pathway Boards, Consequences Matrix Sheet, Markers or pens, and Exit Ticket: My Best Choice
Prep
Lesson Preparation
15 minutes
- Review all generated materials: Your Choices, Your Story Lesson Plan, Think Ahead, Choose Wisely Slides, Choice Pathway Boards, Consequences Matrix Sheet, and Exit Ticket: My Best Choice.
- Prepare the projector/Smartboard for the slides.
- Print or prepare digital copies of the Choice Pathway Boards (one per small group) and Consequences Matrix Sheet (one per student).
- Gather markers or pens for group work.
Step 1
Warm-up: Headline Quick Think
5 minutes
- Display the 'Headline Quick Think' slide (Think Ahead, Choose Wisely Slides, Slide 1).
- Ask students to quickly write down the first three consequences (good or bad) that come to mind for the given headline.
- Briefly discuss a few responses, emphasizing how decisions lead to different outcomes.
Step 2
Teach Decision Trees with a Model Case
10 minutes
- Present the concept of decision trees using Think Ahead, Choose Wisely Slides, Slides 2-4.
- Guide students through a simple, age-appropriate model case (e.g., choosing a weekend activity) on the board or projector, demonstrating how to branch out choices and potential immediate consequences.
- Introduce the terms 'decision trees' and 'risk analysis'.
Step 3
Small Groups Build Pathway Boards
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
- Distribute one Choice Pathway Boards to each group along with markers.
- Assign each group a risk scenario (digital, substance, or relationship-focused).
- Instruct groups to identify a key decision point within their scenario and brainstorm at least two distinct choice paths.
- For each choice path, they should draw out the path on their board, listing two potential positive consequences and two potential negative consequences.
Step 4
Complete Consequences Matrix
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Distribute the Consequences Matrix Sheet to each student.
- Instruct students, individually, to choose one of the scenarios discussed or their group's scenario.
- They should then fill in their matrix, detailing two positive and two negative consequences for each of at least two choice paths related to that scenario.
Step 5
Exit Ticket: My Best Choice
5 minutes
- Distribute the Exit Ticket: My Best Choice.
- Instruct students to reflect on the importance of considering consequences and to write a short response about how they can apply this thinking to a future decision.
- Collect exit tickets as students leave.
Slide Deck
Your Choices, Your Story: Think Ahead, Choose Wisely
Understanding how our decisions shape our future.
Today, we'll explore tools to help you make thoughtful choices and navigate consequences.
Let's get started!
Welcome students and introduce the day's topic: understanding how our choices lead to consequences. Explain that today we'll explore ways to make smarter decisions. Introduce the lesson's catchy title.
Warm-up: Headline Quick Think
Imagine this headline:
"Teenager Spends Entire Paycheck on Online Gaming."
What are 3 immediate consequences (good or bad) that come to mind?
Present a provocative or relatable headline (e.g., 'Student caught cheating on exam', 'Friend posts embarrassing photo online', 'Tried a new vape at a party'). Ask students to quickly jot down the first three things that come to mind after reading it—good or bad consequences. Encourage quick, unfiltered responses. Briefly solicit a few answers from the class, highlighting the variety of potential outcomes.
What Are Decision Trees?
A Map for Your Choices
Imagine you're at a fork in the road. A decision tree is like a map that helps you see all the possible paths and what might happen down each one.
It helps you:
- Identify your choices
- See potential outcomes
- Think about 'what if?'
Introduce the concept of a 'decision tree.' Explain it as a visual map of choices and their potential outcomes. Use simple language and connect it to everyday choices. Emphasize that it's a tool for thinking things through.
Risk Analysis: Weighing Your Options
Understanding Outcomes
Risk Analysis is when you think about:
- What are the positive consequences of this choice?
- What are the negative consequences of this choice?
It's about trying to guess what might happen BEFORE it happens, so you can make a choice you feel good about.
Explain how decision trees help with 'risk analysis.' Define risk analysis simply as thinking about the potential good and bad results of each choice. Give a very simple example (e.g., 'If I choose to study, the positive outcome is a good grade, the negative might be less free time.').
Model Case: Weekend Plans
Let's Map it Out Together!
Decision: What should I do this Saturday afternoon?
Choice A: Go to the park with friends
- Positive Consequences: Make new memories, get exercise.
- Negative Consequences: Spend money on snacks, might get sunburned.
Choice B: Stay home and play video games
- Positive Consequences: Relax, improve gaming skills.
- Negative Consequences: Miss out on social time, less physical activity.
Walk through a very simple, relatable example with the class. For instance, 'It's Saturday, what should I do?' (Choice 1: Go to the park; Choice 2: Stay home and play video games). Brainstorm 2 positive and 2 negative consequences for each choice path. This models the activity they will do later.
Your Turn: Building Pathway Boards
Collaborative Decision-Making
Now, in your small groups, you'll get a scenario.
- Identify a key decision.
- Brainstorm 2 distinct choice paths.
- For each path, list:
- 2 Positive Consequences
- 2 Negative Consequences
Use your Choice Pathway Boards to map it out!
Transition to the group activity. Explain that students will now work in small groups using the 'Choice Pathway Boards' to map out consequences for more complex scenarios (digital, substance, relationship). Emphasize working together and thinking critically.
Reflect and Choose Wisely
Applying What You've Learned
- You've learned to use Decision Trees and Risk Analysis.
- These tools help you understand outcomes before you act.
Now, you'll complete a Consequences Matrix Sheet and an Exit Ticket: My Best Choice to cement your learning. Keep thinking ahead!
Conclude by reiterating the value of these tools for their lives. Briefly explain the 'Consequences Matrix Sheet' as a personal reflection and the 'Exit Ticket' as a final thought. Encourage them to practice this thinking in their daily lives.
Activity
Choice Pathway Boards: Map Your Decisions
Group Scenario:
Instructions:
- As a group, read your assigned scenario carefully.
- Identify ONE key decision within the scenario.
- Brainstorm at least TWO distinct choice paths that someone could take when facing this decision.
- For each choice path, list two potential positive consequences and two potential negative consequences.
- Draw your decision tree on this board, showing the decision, the choices, and the consequences for each path.
Scenario:
(Teacher will provide a specific digital, substance, or relationship scenario here.)
Worksheet
Consequences Matrix: Your Decision Map
Name: ____________________________
Instructions: Choose one of the scenarios discussed in class (either your group's scenario or another one that interested you). Identify a key decision and then map out two different choice paths. For each choice path, list two potential positive consequences and two potential negative consequences.
Scenario Chosen:
Key Decision:
Choice Path 1:
Potential Consequences for Choice Path 1:
Positive Consequences:
Negative Consequences:
Choice Path 2:
Potential Consequences for Choice Path 2:
Positive Consequences:
Negative Consequences:
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: My Best Choice
Name: ____________________________
Instructions: Reflect on today's lesson about decisions and consequences. Answer the following questions thoughtfully.
-
Describe one important thing you learned today about making decisions.
-
Think about a decision you might need to make in the near future (e.g., about school, friends, activities, social media use). How can you use the