DECISIONS DECISIONS ACTIVITY

From Tom Snyder's web site and Instruction for all Students

Begin by Choosing a Controversial Topic

Determine Goals

Consider Options

Analyze Situation

Consider the Consequences

Make a Decisions

Objectives

This activity is designed to put the students in a real life situation where they are forced to make decisions that have consequences.  Along with decision making, there is also the process of the determining the best solutions to the problems and considering healthy alternatives to what may already be popular opinion on specific issues.  The scenario will be in relation to Deathwatch and using the format of Tom Snyder's web page.  This activity becomes a preparation for life where students understand the importance to have well thought out ideas when problem solving.

Problem solving using brainstorm as a means.

Facing real life situations and understanding consequences to every decisions.

Estabilishing decision making as a process.

Dealing with the implications of our decisions.

Realizing there are more than one right answer to problems.

Confidence in making decisions

AGENDA

Based on the journals that have been done, students can expand upon their involvement in making decisions after well-thought out time spent in discussion and brainstorming.  The lesson begins with the teacher explaining the lesson to them and beginning with a list of four times during the past week where they have had to make a decision in one way or another.  They will then have to think about why they made the decision that they made and possibly question their own individual motives. 

If time allows, a discussion will be held where students can open up if they would like and talk about their own personal decision making that they have made in the past week, and if they had a chance to do it all over again what would they do differently.  The teacher can even lead the discussion by filling one out for themselves as well and show the students that even adults need to be wise in every decision they make and consider possible consequences that could arise based on those decisions.

HOMEWORK

List a topic that is in the news that may be controversial and write a paragraph essay about how you would make a decision considering the activity that we did in class.

MATERIALS FOR TEACHER

Have worksheets ready to hand out when students arive to class.

MATERIALS FOR STUDENTS

Bring pens and an open mind.