Navigator Teacher Guide Navigator
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Target Grade
6th Grade
Duration
45 Minutes
Format
Tier 1 Support
Approach
Interactive Discussion
Why This Lesson?
This lesson empowers students with the ability to analyze situations and make informed decisions, an essential skill for personal and academic success in the transition to middle school and beyond.
Objective
Students will explore decision-making processes by engaging in real-life scenarios and role-playing activities, aiming to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Preparation (10 Minutes)
Review the Navigator Facilitation Guide for context and background.
Load the Decisions in Action Slides to emphasize key concepts.
Prepare Role-Playing Scenarios handout for small group work.
Print copies of The Crossroads Reflection for student self-assessment.
Instructional Sequence
5
Introduction
Engage & Hook
Greet the class and introduce the core concept: Decision-Making .
Briefly discuss why making thoughtful decisions is important in everyday life (e.g., what to wear, who to sit with, how to spend time).
10
Exploration
Direct Instruction
Present key concepts using the Decisions in Action Slides .
Introduce the 5 steps: Identify, Alternatives, Consequences, Choice, Reflect.
Ask probing questions to gauge prior knowledge: "What makes a decision 'hard' versus 'easy'?"
20
Active Role-Play
Guided Practice
Divide students into small groups (3-4) and assign each group a scenario from the Role Play Roadmap .
Task: Role-play the scenario, follow the 5-step process collaboratively, and determine the "best" path forward.Facilitate a short share-out: Each group presents their choice and the potential consequences they considered.
10
Reflection
Synthesis & Close
Initiate a reflective discussion using prompts from The Crossroads Reflection .
Focus on: "What would you do if the outcome wasn't what you expected?"
Summarize key takeaways: Decision-making is a muscle that gets stronger with practice.
Decisions in Action Slides Navigation Skills
Decisions
In Action
Mastering the process of making thoughtful choices in every situation.
Introduce the 5-step process as a structured roadmap for hard choices.
The Roadmap
5 Steps to Success
1
Identify the Decision
What is the actual problem or choice?
2
Consider Alternatives
What are all your possible options?
3
Evaluate Results
What happens with each choice?
4
Make a Choice
Select the best path forward.
5
Reflect & Learn
How did it go? What would you change?
Have students repeat each step out loud to build familiarity.
In the Real World
Team Captains
Who is the most responsible choice for the lead role?
Project Focus
Which topic interests you most and meets the goal?
Conflict Resolution
How can you settle a disagreement fairly for everyone?
Engage students by asking: "What would you do in these situations?"
Recap & Reflect
Remember: There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Make decisions thoughtfully and learn from every outcome!
What is one thing you learned today?
Close with a share-out: "What step is most important to you?"
Role Play Roadmap Activity Role Play Roadmap
Decision-Making Activity
Student Name
Date
Activity Mission
In this activity, you will work in small groups to role-play various scenarios that require tough decisions. Use your critical thinking skills and the 5-Step Process to choose the best course of action.
The Challenge Steps
1 Form groups of 3-4 and read your assigned scenario.
2 Assign roles (Narrator, Decision-Maker, Friend/Peer).
3 Plan your approach using the decision-making steps.
4 Perform your scenario and share your final choice.
The Scenarios
1. The "Lost" Phone
You find a brand-new smartphone in the school hallway. No one is around. Your own phone is old and broken. You know who it belongs to, but they are often mean to you.
The Choice: Turn it in or keep it for yourself?
2. Team Practice vs. Study
You have a huge championship game tonight, but you just realized you have a major science project due tomorrow that you haven't started. Your team is counting on you.
The Choice: Play the game and risk failing, or skip the game to study?
3. The Group Secret
Your best friend tells you they are going to play a prank on another student that might get them into big trouble. They ask you not to tell anyone.
The Choice: Keep the secret to stay loyal, or tell a teacher to prevent the prank?
4. The Exclusion Dilemma
A new student asks to sit with your group at lunch. One of your friends says the table is "full," but you know there is plenty of room. Everyone is looking at you.
The Choice: Speak up and invite the new student, or stay quiet to avoid upsetting your friend?
Our Group Roadmap
IDENTIFY:
ALTERNATIVES:
CONSEQUENCES:
OUR CHOICE:
The Crossroads Reflection Worksheet The Crossroads
Reflection & Discussion Guide
Decision Maker
Date
Every choice is a crossroads. This guide helps you look back at the path you took during today's role-play and think about how you might navigate future decisions even better.
1
Reflect on Your Experience
Think back to your group's scenario. What was the main dilemma, and how did your group ultimately decide on a course of action?
2
Consider the Process
Which of the 5 steps was the most challenging for your group to agree on? Why do you think that step was difficult?
3
Alternate Perspectives
Imagine a different outcome if you had made another choice. What might have happened? How would that have changed the "consequences" step?
Final Discussion Prompts
Prompt 1
Think of a time you made a quick decision. How did that compare to the 5-step process we used today?
Prompt 2
If you could go back and change one step in your group’s decision-making process, which would it be and why?
Prompt 3
What are some challenges you face when making real-life decisions, and how might you overcome them?
Be open to different perspectives. Be a respectful listener.
