Part of making decisions is thinking about the consequences of each choice. In this activity, students will be presented with several scenarios. They should illustrate the consequences of a negative decision and make a positive decision. These scenarios are ones they hopefully won’t face, but will now be prepared for. The template example will have three different types of pressures that cause them to make a quick decision.
The three initial scenarios can be modified or adapted to fit the educational goals in your classroom. The ones provided are different peer pressures. Asking your students to develop their own scenarios may help personalize the learning objective and get them thinking about scenarios they see themselves encountering in the future.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Continue the storyboard to show negative consequences and positive decision making.
Adjust the complexity of scenarios by using familiar situations, like playground disagreements or sharing issues, to make them age-appropriate. This helps younger students relate and apply decision-making skills in their daily lives.
Establish classroom norms that encourage respectful listening and open-mindedness. Let students know their thoughts are valued and mistakes are part of learning.
Incorporate drawings, storyboards, or simple skits so students can act out consequences and positive choices. This makes abstract ideas more concrete and memorable.
Invite students to share times they faced tough choices, guiding them to identify what influenced their decisions and what they learned. This builds self-awareness and empathy.
Acknowledge thoughtful choices during activities and discussions. Consistent positive feedback builds confidence and motivates ongoing good decision-making.
The 'Consequence First: Decision Scenarios' activity is a lesson where students analyze peer pressure situations, illustrate the negative consequences of poor choices, and model positive decision-making. It helps students prepare for real-life scenarios by encouraging thoughtful responses to difficult situations.
Teachers can use decision scenario activities by presenting realistic situations, guiding students to explore possible outcomes, and facilitating discussions about positive versus negative choices. This method encourages critical thinking and helps students develop strong social-emotional skills.
Examples of peer pressure scenarios for high school students include: being encouraged to skip class, feeling pressured to try substances, or facing a dare to break school rules. These situations help students practice making safe and responsible decisions.
It is important for students to consider consequences before making decisions because it helps them anticipate outcomes, avoid risky behavior, and build responsible decision-making skills that aid them in real-life challenges.
Students can create their own decision scenarios by brainstorming situations they might encounter, outlining possible choices, and illustrating both the negative and positive outcomes. This exercise personalizes learning and deepens understanding of decision-making processes.