Detective Training Lesson Plan Decision-Making Detectives
Solving Everyday Choices • Teacher Lesson Plan
Duration 50 Minutes
Objective
Students will learn and apply a step-by-step process for making thoughtful decisions in their daily lives, including identifying choices, considering consequences, evaluating options, and reflecting on outcomes.
Audience & Approach
Audience: 6th Grade Students
Approach: Through interactive slides, group activities, and case study analysis.
Why This Matters
Empowering students with strong decision-making skills helps them navigate social situations and academic choices more effectively, fostering responsibility and independence.
Preparation & Materials
Review Decision-Making Slides and test technology.
Print Case Study Conundrums (1 per group).
Print My Decision Map Worksheet (1 per student).
Prepare grouping method for 3-4 students per group.
Equipment Needed:
Smartboard/Projector, Whiteboard, Markers, Pens/Pencils.
Instructional Sequence
5 min Warm-up
Choices, Choices!
• Ask students: "What's the toughest decision you've had to make recently? (You don't have to share the decision, just think about how it felt!)"
• Briefly discuss how we make hundreds of decisions daily. Introduce the central theme: "How can we make better decisions?"
10 min Instruction
The 5 Detective Steps
• Present the Decision-Making Slides (Slides 1-4).
• Walk through the steps: Identify, Gather Info, Evaluate, Decide, and Reflect.
• Use 6th-grade examples (e.g., choosing what to eat, whether to join a club, or how to handle a disagreement with a friend).
20 min Activity
Case Study Conundrums
• Divide students into groups of 3-4.
• Distribute the Case Study Conundrums activity.
• Groups apply the 5 steps to solve their assigned scenario. Circulate to prompt deeper thinking: "What else might happen? Who else is affected?"
10 min Discussion
Detective Debrief
• Groups share their cases and the decisions they reached.
• Facilitate a discussion on differing opinions. Emphasize that process matters as much as the outcome.
5 min Reflection
Exit Ticket: My Decision Map
• Distribute the My Decision Map worksheet.
• Students choose a personal (real or hypothetical) decision to map out. Collect these to assess understanding.
Detective Training Slides Decision-Making Detectives
Solving Everyday Choices
6th Grade Life Skills
Step 1
Identify the Choice
What decision do you actually need to make?
Be clear and specific about the problem.
Define exactly what is happening.
EXAMPLE
"Should I play video games or read my assigned book for 30 minutes right after school?"
Detective Note: You can't solve a mystery if you don't know what it is!
Step 2
Gather Info & Consequences
Seek the Facts
• What do you need to know?
• Who will be affected by your choice?
Predict Outcomes
• Possible positive results?
• Possible negative results?
"If I play games now, I'll have fun (Pro), but I might lose track of time and be tired for my test tomorrow (Con)."
Step 3
Evaluate Your Options
A
List all possible solutions (not just the easy ones!).
B
Weigh the pros and cons of each path.
C
Which option best fits your goals or values ?
Step 4
Make a Decision & Act
Mission File
Choose the best path based on your evidence.
Commit and Take Action!
Example: "I'll read for 30 mins first, then reward myself with 30 mins of games."
Step 5
Reflect on the Outcome
Results
What actually happened as a result of your choice?
Expectation
Were the consequences what you predicted?
Lessons
What did you learn that will help you next time?
Case Study Conundrums Activity Case Study Conundrums
Field Investigation Manual
Document ID
CS-DETECT-06
Investigation Group
Date
Instructions for Detectives
Work with your team to investigate the scenarios below. Use the 5-step process to reach a decision. Be prepared to present your evidence and final verdict to the Chief (the teacher)!
Case #001: The Project Predicament
Priority: High
"Maya is working on a history project with Leo and Chloe. Maya finished her presentation slides early, but Leo (research) and Chloe (script) haven't started. The project is due in 48 hours. When Maya asks for updates, they say, 'Don't worry, we'll get it done tonight!' but they've said that for three days already. Maya's grade depends on their work."
Step 1: Identify
Step 2: Consequences
Step 3: Evaluate Options
Step 4: The Decision
Case #002: The Weekend Wobble
Priority: Medium
"Sam's best friend invited them to a big birthday party on Saturday night. Sam has been looking forward to it for weeks. However, Sam's grandmother, who lives far away, just called to say she's coming to visit on that exact Saturday night for a surprise dinner. Sam's parents say it's Sam's choice, but they remind Sam that they haven't seen Grandma in over a year."
Step 1: Identify
Step 2: Consequences
Step 3: Evaluate Options
Step 4: The Decision
Step 5: Reflection
Discussion Prompt: Once you've made your decisions, how will the characters know if they made the "right" choice? What will they look for 24 hours later?
My Decision Map Worksheet Personal Case Log
My Decision Map
Detective Name
Date of Log
Think about a decision you need to make soon. It could be small (what to do this weekend) or bigger (choosing an elective or handling a friendship problem). Use your detective skills to map it out below.
1 Identify the Choice
What exactly is the decision? Be clear and specific.
2 Gather Info & Predict Consequences
Who is affected? What are the possible positive (+) and negative (-) outcomes?
3 Evaluate Your Options
List your possible choices and their Pros/Cons. Which one matches your goals?
4 The Decision & Action Plan
What will you choose? What is your first step to make it happen?
5. Reflection
(You can fill this out after you take action!)
What actually happened? Was it what you expected? What did you learn for next time?
