Your Choices Lesson Plan Teacher Guide Your Choices, Your Path
Lesson Plan • 6th Grade Small Group (Tier 2)
45 Minutes
Why It Matters
Learning to make responsible decisions is a crucial life skill that empowers students to navigate challenges, build positive relationships, and achieve personal success. This lesson will equip them with a framework to approach decisions thoughtfully.
Objective
Students will be able to identify the steps involved in making responsible decisions and apply these steps to various real-life scenarios, understanding the potential impact of their choices on themselves and others.
Preparation
Review the lesson plan and all generated materials (15 mins).
Print and cut out the Decision-Making Scenario Cards .
Make copies of the Responsible Decision Worksheet for each student.
Ensure you have a whiteboard or chart paper and markers ready.
Required Materials
Your Choices Slide Deck
Decision-Making Script
Decision-Making Scenario Cards
Responsible Decision Worksheet
Worksheet Answer Key
Whiteboard/Markers
Instructional Steps
1
Warm-Up: Decision Dilemma
5 Minutes
Begin by asking students: "What's a small decision you had to make today? (e.g., what to wear, what to eat for breakfast)" Allow a few students to share. Introduce the idea that while some decisions are small, others have bigger consequences. Refer to Slide 1 .
2
Introducing Responsible Decision-Making
10 Minutes
Use the Slide Deck (Slides 2-3) to introduce the concept. Explain the 6 steps: Stop & Think, Gather Information, Consider Options, Evaluate Consequences, Make a Choice, Reflect. Facilitate a brief discussion on why each step is important.
3
Scenario Practice: Group Activity
15 Minutes
Divide students into pairs or keep as a whole group. Distribute Scenario Cards . Instruct students to use the decision-making steps to work through their scenario. Circulate and provide guidance.
4
Share and Discuss
10 Minutes
Have each pair/group share their scenario and their process. Facilitate a group discussion, encouraging students to compare approaches and outcomes.
5
Wrap-Up & Reflection
5 Minutes
Distribute the Responsible Decision Worksheet . Ask students to write one key takeaway or one way they plan to use these steps this week. End with an encouraging statement. Refer to Slide 4 .
Your Choices Slide Deck Presentation 6th Grade Small Group
YOUR CHOICES,
YOUR PATH
Making Great Decisions Every Day
What is Responsible Decision-Making?
It's about making thoughtful choices that are good for you and others.
Thinking before you act
Understanding consequences
Taking control of your path
6 Steps to Smart Choices
1
Stop & Think
Pause before you react.
2
Gather Info
What do you need to know?
3
Consider Options
What are all the possibilities?
4
Evaluate
What could happen with each?
5
Make a Choice
Pick the best option for you.
6
Reflect
How did it go? What's next?
You've Got This!
Every decision is a chance to learn and grow. Keep practicing these steps, and you'll become a master decision-maker!
Decision Making Script Teacher Resource Decision-Making Script
Your Choices, Your Path • Facilitation Guide
Warm-Up: Decision Dilemma
5 Minutes
Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something you do every single day, often without even realizing it: making decisions. Let's start with a quick thought."
"What's a small decision you had to make today? It could be something like what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, or even which pen to use. Take a moment to think, and then I'd love to hear from a few of you."
(Allow 2-3 students to share their small decisions. Validate their responses.)
Teacher: "Great examples! You see, decisions are everywhere. While some are small, like choosing a snack, others can have a much bigger impact on our day, our week, or even our future. Today, we're going to learn how to make really good, responsible decisions."
The Framework
10 Minutes
Teacher: "Let's look at our first slide to kick things off. As you can see, our lesson today is all about 'Your Choices, Your Path.' Every choice you make helps to build the path you're on."
(Transition to Slide 2)
"So, what exactly is responsible decision-making? It's not just about picking something randomly; it's about making thoughtful choices that are good for you and good for others. It means we stop and think before we act, we understand what might happen because of our choices, and we take control of our own path."
(Transition to Slide 3)
"Lucky for us, there's a super helpful framework we can use – 6 steps to make smart choices! Let's go through them together. Read along with me as I explain each one."
STOP & THINK: Don't just react immediately. Pause. Take a breath.
GATHER INFO: What do you need to know? Who can you talk to?
CONSIDER OPTIONS: Brainstorm all possible choices. No judging yet!
EVALUATE: For each option, think about the good and bad consequences.
MAKE A CHOICE: Pick the best option that aligns with your values.
REFLECT: Once it's over, think about how it went. What did you learn?
Scenario Practice
15 Minutes
Teacher: "Now it's your turn to put these steps into action! I have some Scenario Cards here. I'm going to give each pair a card with a common situation a 6th grader might face."
Decision Making Scenario Cards Activity Teacher Instructions: Cut along the dashed lines to create individual scenario cards for small group or pair work. Each card has space for students to jot down their initial thoughts or final decision.
1. The Group Project Dilemma
You are working on a group project for history class. One of your group members, who is usually very smart, hasn't done any work. The project is due tomorrow, and if their part isn't done, your whole group will get a bad grade. They ask you to quickly do their part for them.
Decision Plan:
2. The Lost Wallet
On your way home from school, you find a wallet on the sidewalk. You open it and see a school ID card with a picture of a student from your school, along with about $20. There's also a phone number written on a small piece of paper inside.
Decision Plan:
3. Rumors Online
You see a post on social media from a classmate spreading untrue rumors about another student in your grade. Several other students are commenting and laughing. You know the rumors aren't true and feel bad for the person being targeted.
Decision Plan:
4. Weekend Choice
It's Friday afternoon, and you have a big science test on Monday. You also got an invitation to a fun birthday party on Saturday that all your friends are going to. You haven't started studying for the test yet.
Decision Plan:
Responsible Decision Worksheet Student Activity My Smart Choices
Responsible Decision-Making Worksheet
Name:
Date:
The 6 Steps Recap
Stop & Think: Pause before you react.
Gather Info: What do you need to know?
Consider Options: Brainstorm possibilities.
Evaluate: Think about consequences.
Make a Choice: Pick the best option.
Reflect: What did you learn?
Part 1: Personal Reflection
What is one key takeaway from today's lesson, or one specific way you plan to use these steps in your life this week?
Part 2: Quick Decision Challenge
Scenario
"You promised to help your family with chores after school, but then a friend calls and invites you to play video games right away. What would you do?"
1. Stop & Think
2. Gather Information
3. Consider Options
4. Evaluate Consequences
5. Make a Choice
6. Reflect (The Lesson Learned)
Responsible Decision Worksheet Answer Key Resource Answer Key
Responsible Decision Worksheet
Teacher Resource
Part 1: Personal Reflection
Note: Student responses will vary based on individual experience. Look for depth of thought and connection to the 6-step framework.
Example High-Quality Responses:
"My key takeaway is that 'Stop & Think' is the most important step because it prevents me from reacting in anger or making a choice I'll regret later. This week, I'm going to use it when my brother annoys me."
"I learned that considering consequences means thinking about how my choice affects other people, not just me. I'll use the 'Gather Information' step when I'm choosing which elective to take next semester."
"One way I'll use this is for my screen time. I'll 'Stop & Think' before I spend too much time on my phone so I can make sure my homework gets done first."
Part 2: Quick Decision Challenge
Scenario: Chores vs. Video Games. Sample application of the 6 steps.
1. Stop & Think
"I feel excited to play games, but I need to pause before saying yes. I remember I made a promise to my parents."
2. Gather Information
"How long will the chores take? Is my friend going to be online later tonight? What exactly did I promise to do?"
3. Consider Options
"A) Play now and do chores late. B) Finish chores first then play. C) Ask my friend to wait 30 minutes."
4. Evaluate Consequences
"If I play now, I'll be stressed later and my parents might be upset. If I do chores first, I'll enjoy the game more without worrying."
5. Make a Choice
"I choose to do my chores immediately and tell my friend I'll join them in 30 minutes when I'm finished."
6. Reflect
"I learned that keeping my promises makes me feel reliable, and I still got to play my game afterward."
Teacher Tip: Facilitating Choice
The goal isn't for every student to pick the "right" answer (like chores first), but for them to correctly apply the framework to reach a responsible conclusion. Encourage them to see how the "Reflect" step helps them improve for next time!
