In order to get students to think about consequences first when faced with a decision, they are going to have to practice the process of making decisions. The reward system is developed in their brain, but not the consequences aspect among teenagers. Instant gratification rules their perspective. This decision making chart will help them put things into perspective.
Have students brainstorm some of their own decisions they made recently or ones they will face soon. In this activity, students will fill in the template and break down their own decisions and how they made the choice.
Step One: List the choices
Step Two: Weigh out the consequences
Step Three: Look for resources, if possible
Step Four: Choose a solution
Step Five: Reflect on the decision
A follow-up activity to this can be to have a "think-pair-share" exercise. Allowing students to reflect on their peers' decision-making will help to build a "consequence first" thinking environment, and they may also be able to take inspiration from each other.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard showing a decision-making model of a real or imagined decision.