(
The Cat Ate My Gymsuit
: Decision Making)
OBJECTIVE: To familiarize students with the basic concepts of effective decision making.
MATERIALS: Copy of decision making guide, copy of decision dilemma
PROCEDURE:
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1. Introduction and motivation
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Introduce the lesson by discussing the numerous decisions boys and girls make daily: big decisions; little decisions; easy decisions; difficult decisions; right decisions; and wrong decisions. Explain that in making decisions we sometimes consider the good and bad things that might happen as a result of our choice. Identify these possible outcomes of a decision as consequences.
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2. Development of concepts
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a. write the following questions on the board, and discuss the answers.
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What was Marcy’s problem?
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How did she attempt to solve it?
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Did she make a good decision?
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b. Ask students to think of two alternative solutions Marcy might have chosen.
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c. Copy the decision making guide on the board. Write the alternatives in the guide.
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d. Ask students to name the positive consequences (good things) and negative consequences (bad things) for each alternative. Their responses are written on the board.
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e. Allow students to examine the advantages and disadvantages of both alternatives, and select the most appropriate alternative.
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3. Individual practice
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a. Review the steps one should follow when making decisions.
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b. Distribute a copy of the activity sheet.
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c. Ask for a volunteer to read the decision dilemma out loud.
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d. Instruct students to use the steps they’ve learned to make a decision.
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Sample activity sheet
Decision dilemma:
Your class is playing “Math Relay”. You have been chosen as one of the team captains. Your first task is to select members of your team. You need one more good math student for your team. Your best friend is one of those students waiting to be selected. She wants to be on your team, but you know she is not a very good math student. What do you do?
(figure available in print form)
Alternative #1
Negative Consequences
Positive Consequences
