Lesson Plan
Your Decisions, Your Destiny
Students will be able to identify the steps of healthy decision-making and apply them to a hypothetical scenario, fostering critical thinking and responsible choices.
Learning to make healthy decisions is a crucial life skill that empowers students to navigate challenges, avoid negative consequences, and actively shape a positive future for themselves.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and scenario-based application.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Decision-Making Steps Slide Deck, Decision Dilemmas Worksheet, and Decision Dilemmas Answer Key
Prep
Review Materials and Prepare
10 minutes
- Review the Decision-Making Steps Slide Deck to ensure familiarity with the content and flow.
- Print or prepare for digital display the Decision Dilemmas Worksheet (one per student).
- Review the Decision Dilemmas Answer Key for discussion points.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for use.
- Consider any real-life, age-appropriate examples of decisions that could be used as additional discussion points if needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Decision Time!
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What's the hardest decision you've had to make recently?" (Emphasize that they don't have to share the actual decision, just reflect on the feeling of making a tough choice.)
- Lead a brief discussion about why decisions can be hard and the impact they can have.
Step 2
Introduce Healthy Decision-Making Steps
10 minutes
- Present the Decision-Making Steps Slide Deck.
- Go through each step, explaining its importance and what it means in simple terms. Use examples relevant to 6th graders (e.g., deciding what to do after school, choosing friends, managing screen time).
1. Stop & Think: Don't rush! What's the situation?
2. Gather Information: What are your choices? What do you know?
3. Explore Options & Consequences: What could happen with each choice (good and bad)?
4. Choose & Act: Pick the best option and do it!
5. Review: How did it go? What did you learn?
Step 3
Practice with Decision Dilemmas
10 minutes
- Distribute the Decision Dilemmas Worksheet.
- Explain that students will work individually or in small groups to apply the decision-making steps to the scenarios provided.
- Circulate the room to provide support and answer questions.
- After a few minutes, bring the class back together to discuss one or two scenarios using the steps. Refer to the Decision Dilemmas Answer Key for guidance during discussion.
Step 4
Cool-Down: My Next Healthy Choice
5 minutes
- Ask students to reflect on one small, healthy decision they can make today or this week using the steps they learned.
- Examples: choosing a healthy snack, deciding to play outside instead of screen time, speaking kindly to a friend.
- Conclude by reinforcing that every decision, big or small, is an opportunity to practice healthy choices and that they have the power to make great decisions for themselves.
Slide Deck
Your Decisions, Your Destiny
Making Healthy Choices for a Healthy You!
Welcome students! Today, we're going to talk about something you do every single day: making decisions. Some are small, like what to eat for breakfast, and some are bigger, like what activities to join. Knowing how to make good decisions is a superpower! Let's explore how.
Why Does Healthy Decision-Making Matter?
- Impacts your physical health (what you eat, if you exercise)
- Affects your mental well-being (how you feel about yourself)
- Shapes your friendships and relationships
- Helps you reach your goals
Every day, you make tons of decisions. From what to wear to how to spend your free time. But what about the really tough ones? The ones that make you pause? Healthy decision-making is a skill that helps you through these moments. It’s about choosing what’s best for your mind, body, and feelings.
Step 1: STOP & THINK
- Don't rush into it!
- What is the actual decision you need to make?
- Why is this decision important?
Our first step is super important. When you face a decision, especially a tricky one, don't just react! Take a moment to STOP. Think about what's happening. What's the situation? What exactly do you need to decide?
Step 2: GATHER INFORMATION
- What are your different choices?
- What information do you need?
- Who can you talk to? (Trusted adults, friends, teachers)
Once you've paused, it's time to gather all the facts. What do you already know about the situation? Are there people you can talk to? Resources you can look up? The more information you have, the clearer your choices become.
Step 3: EXPLORE OPTIONS & CONSEQUENCES
- For each option, list the positive outcomes.
- For each option, list the negative outcomes.
- How might each choice affect you and others?
This is where you play 'what if'. For each choice you're considering, think about what might happen. What are the good things that could come from it? What are the not-so-good things? Thinking about consequences helps you see the bigger picture.
Step 4: CHOOSE & ACT
- Pick the option you think is best for you and others.
- Go for it! Put your decision into action.
Now that you've thought it through, it's time to make your move. Based on all the information and the consequences you considered, choose the option that feels best and is healthiest for you. Then, take action!
Step 5: REVIEW
- After you've acted, take time to think:
- How did it turn out?
- What did you learn from this experience?
- Would you do anything differently next time?
You've made your decision and acted on it. Great! But the learning isn't over. Take a moment later to think: How did it go? Did things turn out how you expected? What did you learn from the experience? This helps you make even better decisions next time.
Practice Time!
Let's apply our 5 steps to some scenarios.
Let's put these steps into practice with some real-life situations. Remember, these steps can help you with all sorts of decisions!
You've Got This!
Remember the 5 steps:
- Stop & Think
- Gather Information
- Explore Options & Consequences
- Choose & Act
- Review
Your decisions shape your destiny!
Encourage students to use these steps regularly. Remind them that practicing makes them better decision-makers.
Worksheet
Decision Dilemmas: Making Healthy Choices
Remember the 5 Steps to Healthy Decision-Making:
- Stop & Think: What is the decision you need to make?
- Gather Information: What do you know? What are your choices?
- Explore Options & Consequences: What could happen (good and bad) with each choice?
- Choose & Act: Pick the best option and do it!
- Review: How did it go? What did you learn?
Scenario 1: The Group Project Pressure
You and two friends have a group project due next week in science. One of your friends, Alex, wants to do all the work tonight so they can play video games all weekend. Your other friend, Sam, says they have other homework and can only work on it for an hour after school each day. You feel caught in the middle. What should you do?
1. Stop & Think: What is the decision you need to make?
2. Gather Information: What are your choices? What do you know?
3. Explore Options & Consequences: What could happen with each choice (good and bad)?
4. Choose & Act: What is your healthy choice? What will you do?
5. Review: (Imagine you made your choice) How do you think it would go? What would you learn?
Scenario 2: Lunchroom Dilemma
During lunch, a few of your classmates start making fun of another student, Maya, for the lunch she brought from home. They are whispering and pointing. Maya looks upset and is eating alone. You usually sit with these classmates, but you don't like what they are doing. What should you do?
1. Stop & Think: What is the decision you need to make?
2. Gather Information: What are your choices? What do you know?
3. Explore Options & Consequences: What could happen with each choice (good and bad)?
4. Choose & Act: What is your healthy choice? What will you do?
5. Review: (Imagine you made your choice) How do you think it would go? What would you learn?
Answer Key
Decision Dilemmas: Answer Key
This answer key provides example responses for each step of the healthy decision-making process. Students' answers may vary but should demonstrate an understanding and application of the 5 steps.
Scenario 1: The Group Project Pressure
You and two friends have a group project due next week in science. One of your friends, Alex, wants to do all the work tonight so they can play video games all weekend. Your other friend, Sam, says they have other homework and can only work on it for an hour after school each day. You feel caught in the middle. What should you do?
1. Stop & Think: What is the decision you need to make?
- The decision is how to manage the group project work fairly and effectively, respecting everyone's time and ensuring the project gets done well.
2. Gather Information: What are your choices? What do you know?
- Choices:
- Agree with Alex to do it all tonight.
- Agree with Sam to work a little each day.
- Suggest a compromise or a new plan.
- Talk to the teacher.
- What I know: Alex wants it done fast, Sam has other commitments, the project is due next week, and it needs to be a good quality.
3. Explore Options & Consequences: What could happen with each choice (good and bad)?
- Option A (Agree with Alex):
- Good: Project gets done quickly, Alex is happy.
- Bad: Sam might feel left out or overwhelmed, work might be rushed/poor quality, I might have to do most of the work, stress.
- Option B (Agree with Sam):
- Good: Work is spread out, less stressful, Sam is happy.
- Bad: Alex might be upset, we might not finish if there are delays, quality might suffer if not enough time is dedicated overall.
- Option C (Suggest a Compromise/New Plan):
- Good: Everyone feels heard, fair distribution, better quality work, less stress.
- Bad: Might take more discussion, one or both friends might not like the compromise.
- Option D (Talk to the Teacher):
- Good: Teacher can help mediate, ensures fairness.
- Bad: Might feel like