Responsible Decision Making

Unit Context

This is Lesson 8 of 10 in the Year 5 unit "Emotional Intelligence in Action." This lesson focuses on empowering students to apply responsible decision-making skills in different contexts, aligned with the NSW Health curriculum outcomes PH3-IHW-01 and PH3-CWT-01.

Lesson Details

Year: 5
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 25 students
Subject: Health
Unit: Emotional Intelligence in Action
Lesson Title: Making Responsible Decisions

Learning Intentions (WALT)

We Are Learning To apply decision-making skills in various everyday contexts.

Success Criteria

Students will be able to:

Identify one real-life context where decisions are required.
Make a responsible decision in that context, considering consequences and emotions.

NSW Curriculum Links

PH3-IHW-01: Examines and explains factors that influence identity, health, and wellbeing of individuals and groups.
PH3-CWT-01: Creating written texts supports understanding of health, safety and well-being.

This lesson supports the development of emotional intelligence by encouraging reflective thinking about personal and social decisions, consistent with the identified NSW Health curriculum achievement standards for Years 5 and 6. Students learn to analyse factors influencing their choices, strengthening personal identity and wellbeing.

Differentiation Strategies

Kinesthetic Learners: Engage in problem-based learning through role-play scenarios where students physically act out decision-making situations.
Auditory Learners: Participate in guided discussions and storytelling to explore decision-making processes.
Visual Learners: Use graphic organisers and visual prompts to chart decisions and outcomes.
Support for Diverse Needs: Provide sentence starters and scaffolds for written work; use peer-support pairs.

Lesson Timeline

Time	Activity	Description	Differentiation	Resources
5 min	Introduction	Brief recap of previous lessons on emotional intelligence focusing on decision-making	Whole class oral discussion	Whiteboard, markers
8 min	Context Identification	Students brainstorm different daily scenarios where decisions must be made (e.g., choosing friends, sharing, safety)	Whole class with paired talk for support	Chart paper, sticky notes
12 min	Problem-Based Role Plays	Divide class into small groups; each given a scenario to role-play responsible decision-making (e.g., peer pressure, online safety, conflict resolution)	Kinesthetic learners active, auditory learners participate in debrief	Scenario cards, role-play props
10 min	Guided Discussion	Groups share their scenarios and decisions made; teacher facilitates reflection on emotions involved and consequences	Auditory learners engage deeply	Discussion questions on board
8 min	Written Reflection	Students individually write about one scenario and their decision, explaining why it is responsible and how it influences wellbeing	Supports PH3-CWT-01 curriculum outcome	Writing paper, pens
2 min	Conclusion and Success Check	Quick group share of one responsible decision learned today; teacher checks success criteria	Whole class, encourages verbal sharing	None

Assessment

Formative: Observation during role-plays and discussions assessing ability to identify contexts and apply decision-making.
Written Task: Student reflection writing assessed for understanding of responsible decision and emotional impact, linked to PH3-CWT-01.

Sample Scenario Ideas for Role-Play

Saying no to peer pressure.
Deciding to ask for help when upset.
Choosing to include someone new in a group.
Managing anger by taking deep breaths before responding.

Teacher Notes

Emphasise the link between emotional intelligence and responsible decision-making.
Reinforce that decisions affect self and others’ wellbeing.
Encourage empathy, respect, and considering consequences in decision-making processes.
Use language students know from previous lessons such as recognising feelings and the ‘think, feel, do’ framework.

Extension Ideas

Create a 'Decision-Making Wheel' poster illustrating steps for making thoughtful decisions.
Invite students to share personal stories (anonymous if preferred) about a decision they felt proud of.

This lesson is designed to inspire confident, responsible decision-making in Year 5 students, actively engaging various learning styles with scaffolded support, fully aligned with the NSW Health curriculum outcomes PH3-IHW-01 and PH3-CWT-01.

Teaching Instructions