At a Glance:
| Grades: | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
|---|---|
| Subject: | SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) |
| Topic: | Growth Mindset, Responsibility, Critical Thinking |
| Lesson Length: | 1 - 2 hours |
Standards / Framework:
What will students learn in this activity?
Students will show three to five steps to solve a problem.
What should students know before this activity?
Students should be reminded about the importance of respecting diverse opinions and be reassured that they are able to discuss sensitive topics in your classroom because it is a safe space.
How can teachers introduce this lesson?
- Ask students:
- “Have you ever made a decision you wish you could change?”
- “How can I make better decisions?”
- “Why is responsible decision-making important?”
What will students do?
- Discuss some strategies students can use to problem-solve, such as:
- identifying the problem/conflict that needs to be solved
- gathering relevant information about the topic
- brainstorming a list of possible solutions
- creating a pros/cons list
- identifying potential consequences
- considering alternatives.
- Form small groups and ask students to create a scenario or situation that involves a difficult decision and write it on an index card.
- Collect the scenario cards from each group and redistribute the cards so that each group receives a different one.
- Have each group collaborate and carry out three to five of the strategies discussed earlier to make a responsible decision. The group should ultimately make an action plan for how they will solve the problem.
- Have each group collaborate to create a comic that represents their problem, their decision-making process, and their solution to the problem.
How can teachers wrap up the lesson?
- Have each group present their comics to the class, going over the problem and explaining how they came to their solution.
- Encourage students to reflect on the activity in a journal or through discussion and on how they can apply these strategies to their own lives.
- Encourage the class to continue practicing these skills in their everyday decision-making.
- Emphasize how learning and practicing these strategies for decision-making helps you become more independent, responsible, and resilient.
- Emphasize how learning and practicing these strategies for decision-making helps you become more independent, responsible, and resilient.
How can teachers differentiate this activity?
- Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
- Allow students to work in pairs or groups as needed.
- Allow students to use the voiceover to read their comics aloud.
- Provide student groups with a list of general topics such as friendship, academic choices, and peer pressure to help with generating a scenario.
- Provide groups with a Concept Map graphic organizer to use as a “decision tree”.
Related Resources:
- Comic to print or display: Comic.
- Concept Map
- Videos:
- Making Tough Choices by Kid President
- Innoventure Jr: Making Decisions by Innoventure
- How to Improve Your Decision-Making by The Art of Improvement
- Books:
- Collection of Books on Responsible Decision Making for Grades PrK-12 by Washington County Cooperative Library Services
- What Should Danny Do? by Adir Levy
- What Should Darla Do? by Adir Levy
- Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
Elementary School
Middle School
Mars
Shopping
Suggested Story Starters:
