Lesson Plan
Your Path, Your Future
Students will analyze a risk scenario (digital/substance/relationship) and list two positive and two negative potential consequences for each choice path.
Understanding decision-making and consequences is crucial for navigating complex situations in life. This lesson empowers students to think critically about their choices, preparing them for real-world challenges.
Audience
10th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, small group activity, and individual reflection.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Think Ahead, Choose Wisely Slides, Whiteboard or Chart Paper, Markers, Choice Pathway Boards, Consequences Matrix Sheet, and Exit Ticket My Best Choice
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Think Ahead, Choose Wisely Slides and practice the script.
- Print or prepare to project the Decision Tree Case Studies (not explicitly requested, but needed for the lesson).
- Print or prepare copies of the Choice Pathway Boards for small groups.
- Print or prepare copies of the Consequences Matrix Sheet for each student.
- Print or prepare copies of the Exit Ticket My Best Choice for each student.
- Ensure access to a smartboard or projector and markers/chart paper.
Step 1
Warm-up: Headline Quick Think
5 minutes
- Display the 'Headline Quick Think' prompt from the Think Ahead, Choose Wisely Slides.
* Ask students to quickly jot down their initial thoughts or reactions to the headline.
* Facilitate a brief class discussion, asking students: "What immediately comes to mind when you read this headline?" and "What kind of choice do you think led to this consequence?"
Step 2
Teach Decision Trees with a Model Case
10 minutes
- Use the Think Ahead, Choose Wisely Slides to introduce the concept of decision trees and risk analysis.
* Present a simple, anonymous model case study (e.g., a choice about studying for a test vs. playing video games).
* Guide students through mapping out the choices and immediate consequences for the model case.
* Emphasize the idea of long-term vs. short-term consequences.
Step 3
Small Groups Build Pathway Boards
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
* Distribute the Choice Pathway Boards and a Decision Tree Case Study to each group (e.g., a digital dilemma, a substance-related choice, or a relationship conflict).
* Instruct groups to discuss the scenario and collaboratively fill in the 'choices' and 'immediate consequences' sections of their pathway board.
* Circulate to provide support and answer questions.
Step 4
Complete Consequences Matrix
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
* Distribute the Consequences Matrix Sheet to each student.
* Working individually, students will select one choice path from their group's Choice Pathway Boards and complete the 'Consequences Matrix' by listing two positive and two negative potential consequences for that specific choice path.
* Encourage students to think broadly about personal, social, academic, and health consequences.
Step 5
Exit: Choose and Justify Best Path
5 minutes
- Distribute the Exit Ticket My Best Choice to each student.
* Students will individually complete the exit ticket, reflecting on the case study and justifying what they believe to be the
Step 6
Teaching Decision Trees
10 minutes
- Use the Think Ahead, Choose Wisely Slides to introduce the concept of decision trees and risk analysis.
* Present a simple, anonymous model case study (e.g., a choice about studying for a test vs. playing video games).
* Guide students through mapping out the choices and immediate consequences for the model case.
* Emphasize the idea of long-term vs. short-term consequences.
Step 7
Small Groups Build Pathway Boards
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
* Distribute the Choice Pathway Boards and a Decision Tree Case Study to each group.
* Instruct groups to discuss the scenario and collaboratively fill in the 'choices' and 'immediate consequences' sections of their pathway board.
* Circulate to provide support and answer questions.
Step 8
Complete Consequences Matrix
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
* Distribute the Consequences Matrix Sheet to each student.
* Working individually, students will select one choice path from their group's Choice Pathway Boards and complete the 'Consequences Matrix' by listing two positive and two negative potential consequences for that specific choice path.
* Encourage students to think broadly about personal, social, academic, and health consequences.
Step 9
Exit: Choose and Justify Best Path
5 minutes
- Distribute the Exit Ticket My Best Choice to each student.
* Students will individually complete the exit ticket, reflecting on the case study and justifying what they believe to be the 'best' path and why.
Slide Deck
Think Ahead, Choose Wisely
Navigating Decisions & Consequences
Your Choices. Your Future. Our Discussion.
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's main topic: making thoughtful decisions and understanding their outcomes.
Warm-up: Headline Quick Think
Read the following headline:
'Teen's Online Post Leads to Major Regret: College Acceptance Revoked'
What are your immediate thoughts or feelings?
Display the headline. Ask students to silently reflect and jot down initial thoughts. Then, open for a brief class discussion. Prompt: "What immediately comes to mind? What kind of choice do you think led to this consequence?"
What's a Decision Tree?
A decision tree is a map for your choices!
It helps us visualize:
- The different choices we can make.
- The paths those choices lead us down.
- The potential consequences (good and bad) along each path.
It helps us think before we act!
Introduce the concept of a decision tree. Explain that it's a visual tool to map out choices and their potential paths. Emphasize that every decision has multiple possible outcomes.
Model Case: Test Tomorrow!
Imagine you have a big test tomorrow. You have two main choices tonight:
Choice A: Study for 2 hours
- Immediate Consequence: Less free time tonight.
Choice B: Play video games for 2 hours
- Immediate Consequence: Fun tonight, but perhaps less prepared.
What might be the long-term consequences for each choice?
Present a simple, relatable model case (e.g., studying vs. playing games) to demonstrate how a decision tree works. Walk through the choices and immediate consequences.
Group Activity: Build Your Pathway
- Get into your small groups.
- Your group will receive a Decision Tree Case Study.
- Work together to fill in the choices and immediate consequences on your Choice Pathway Boards.
- Think about the different directions the scenario could go based on the main decision.
Explain the small group activity. Each group will receive a case study and a Choice Pathway Board to begin mapping out their scenario.
Individual Work: Consequences Matrix
Now, let's think deeper about all the possible consequences.
- Individually, take a Consequences Matrix Sheet.
- Choose one choice path from your group's scenario.
- List two positive and two negative potential consequences for that specific path.
- Consider consequences for yourself, others, and your future.
Introduce the Consequences Matrix. Explain that after mapping immediate consequences, students will individually dig deeper into potential positive and negative outcomes.
Exit Ticket: My Best Choice
For your exit ticket today:
- Take an Exit Ticket My Best Choice sheet.
- Based on your group's case study and your consequences matrix, identify what you believe is the "best" choice path.
- Justify your answer with at least two reasons, thinking about long-term consequences.
Explain the cool-down activity. Students will reflect on the best path and justify their reasoning.
Reading
Decision Tree Case Studies
Read the scenario assigned to your group. As a group, discuss the main decision presented and the immediate choices available. What are the first few steps or options a person in this situation might take?
Case Study 1: The Viral Post (Digital Dilemma)
Maya is at a party when her friend, Liam, starts acting really silly and a bit embarrassing. Another friend records a short video of Liam and thinks it would be hilarious to post it on their school's popular (but unofficial) social media gossip page. The page has thousands of followers, including most of their classmates and even some teachers. Liam doesn't know the video was taken or that it's about to be posted. The friend hands Maya their phone and says, "Quick, post this! It's going to be epic!"
The Decision: What should Maya do with the phone and the video?
Case Study 2: The Party Invite (Substance Choice)
Jake has been invited to a huge weekend party at an older friend's house. Everyone is talking about it, and it's supposed to be the event of the year. Jake knows there will likely be alcohol and possibly other substances there, even though most of the attendees are underage. He's heard that the host's parents are out of town, meaning there will be no adult supervision. A few of his closest friends are going, and they're pressuring him to come, saying, "You can't miss this! Everyone will be there!"
The Decision: What should Jake do about attending the party?
Case Study 3: The Secret (Relationship Conflict)
Sarah's best friend, Emily, has been dating Mark for a few months. Emily recently confided in Sarah that Mark has been acting really possessive and has started telling her who she can and cannot hang out with. Emily is upset but asks Sarah to promise not to tell anyone, especially not Mark or their other friends, because she's afraid of what Mark might do or say. Later that day, Sarah overhears some classmates gossiping about Mark being controlling, and she feels a strong urge to tell someone who can help Emily.
The Decision: What should Sarah do with the information Emily shared and what she overheard?
Activity
Choice Pathway Boards
Group Instructions: Discuss your assigned case study from Decision Tree Case Studies. Identify two main choices the character can make. For each choice, list at least two immediate consequences that might happen right after making that choice. Fill in your answers in the spaces provided below.
Our Case Study Scenario:
Choice 1:
Description of Choice:
Immediate Consequences of Choice 1:
Choice 2:
Description of Choice:
Immediate Consequences of Choice 2:
Group Members:
Worksheet
Consequences Matrix Sheet
Individual Instructions: From your group's Choice Pathway Boards, select ONE of the two choice paths your group discussed. For that specific choice path, think about what could happen in the long term. List two potential positive consequences and two potential negative consequences. Be as specific as possible.
My Selected Choice Path (from Case Study):
Case Study Name:
The Specific Choice I'm Analyzing:
Potential Long-Term Consequences
Positive Consequences (List at least two):
Negative Consequences (List at least two):
Reflection Question:
How might thinking about these long-term consequences influence the initial decision?
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: My Best Choice
Instructions: Based on your group's case study from Decision Tree Case Studies and your Consequences Matrix Sheet, answer the following questions.
Our Case Study Scenario:
Which choice path do you believe is the "best" in this scenario?
Justify your answer with at least two reasons, considering the potential long-term consequences you identified.
One thing I learned about decision-making today is: