Your students make decisions every day, and hopefully they all made the decision to come to class today. This may have been a “no decision” for them; a few different people are making sure they are in school everyday. There are two other types of decisions: snap decisions and reasonable decisions. Whether or not they raise their hand in class is a “snap decision”. They must decide quickly before someone else raises their hand. This decision is usually made without contemplation of consequences or outcomes. Doing their homework after school or during lunch is a “reasonable decision”. This is because they weigh their options and choose the best possible outcome. Should I do my homework at school while I eat so I can watch a movie later, or do it at night after dinner at home?
In this activity, students will create a storyboard that shows the three types of decisions. Creating visualizations will help students make connections to the content and retain the information. If you ask them to depict decisions they either made today or in the last few days, the activity will reinforce another learning goal. The fact that they make decisions every day may ease the pressure and give them confidence in making those more consequential decisions, such as applying for colleges or refusing to fall into peer pressure.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard showing real-life examples of the three types of decisions.
Encourage students to think back on recent choices they've made—big or small. This primes their minds for the storyboard and helps them relate the lesson to real life.
Demonstrate with classroom examples—like calling on a student (snap) versus planning a field trip (reasonable). Clarifying these differences ensures every student understands the concepts clearly.
Encourage students to show not just what happened, but how they felt and why they chose that option. Adding personal touches makes their learning more meaningful and memorable.
Invite students to present their storyboards and discuss which decisions were easy or challenging. Collaborative reflection builds confidence and teaches empathy for different perspectives.
Discuss how these skills apply to situations like peer pressure, time management, or future planning. Making connections helps students see the value of thoughtful decision-making in their everyday lives.
Students commonly make three types of decisions: no decisions (automatic or decided by others), snap decisions (made quickly without much thought), and reasonable decisions (considered and weighed for the best outcome). Understanding these helps students become more aware of their choices.
Storyboards are a visual way to help students understand and reflect on decision-making. Have students create scenes showing each decision type—no decision, snap decision, and reasonable decision—using pictures and short descriptions. This activity builds connections and reinforces learning.
A snap decision is made quickly, often without thinking about the consequences (like raising a hand in class). A reasonable decision is thought out, where options are considered for the best result (like planning when to do homework).
Reflecting on everyday decisions helps students realize that decision-making is a regular part of life, which can ease anxiety and build confidence for handling bigger choices in the future, such as resisting peer pressure or preparing for college.
Examples include: No decision—attending school because it’s required; Snap decision—choosing to answer a question quickly in class; Reasonable decision—planning when to do homework for the best outcome.