Empowering Decision-Making

Lesson Overview

Duration:

30 minutes

Class Size:

8 students

Age Group:

Year 8 (13-14 years)

Subject:

PSHE

Key Stage:

Key Stage 3

National Curriculum Reference:

This lesson aligns with the PSHE Education framework, specifically focusing on developing skills in making informed choices, understanding the impact of decisions, and encouraging reflection on potential consequences.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify the steps involved in the decision-making process.
2. Apply a decision-making model to hypothetical scenarios.
3. Reflect on the potential consequences of various choices.

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Resources Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed decision-making model handouts
• Scenario cards (hypothetical situations)
• Post-it notes
• Pens
• Timer

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Lesson Structure

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Welcome & Warm-up:
   • Greet students and outline the importance of decision-making in their lives.
   • Quick discussion prompt: "Think of a decision you made recently. How did you feel about it?"
   • Encourage students to share their thoughts, fostering a safe environment.

Activity 1: Understanding the Decision-Making Model (10 minutes)

1. Instruction:

   • Introduce the decision-making model (Identify, Gather, Consider, Decide, Evaluate).
   • Write the steps on the whiteboard.

2. Group Discussion:

   • Divide students into pairs and ask them to discuss the model.
   • Pose guiding questions:
     • Why is it important to identify your choices?
     • How can gathering information influence decisions?

Activity 2: Scenario Application (10 minutes)

1. Hypothetical Scenarios:

   • Provide each pair with a scenario card containing a decision that teens might face (e.g., "Should I go to the party, knowing my friend might drink alcohol?" or "Should I tell my friend if I think they're being bullied?").

2. Decision-Making Process:

   • Instruct pairs to use the decision-making model to discuss their scenario.
   • Each pair will identify:
     • The choices available
     • Information they need to gather
     • Factors to consider
     • Their final decision and rationale

3. Group Sharing:

   • Invite pairs to share their scenario and iteratively walk through their decision-making process to the whole class, fostering discussion.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

1. Reflection:

   • Each student writes a key takeaway on a post-it note about what they learned regarding decision-making.
   • Collect their notes and display them on a dedicated wall or board, creating a visual reminder of their learning.

2. Wrap-Up:

   • Recap the steps of the decision-making model.
   • Emphasise that making informed decisions can have positive effects on their lives and relationships.

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Assessment

Formative Assessment:

• Monitor group discussions; observe participation and understanding through pair sharing.
• Evaluate key takeaways for insight into individual student comprehension.

Feedback:

• Provide verbal feedback during activities and encourage peer-to-peer feedback in pairs.

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Differentiation

• For Higher Ability Students: Challenge them to consider broader implications of their decisions and their impacts on others.
• For Lower Ability Students: Provide additional support with scenario cards that include guiding questions on the decision-making process.

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Extension Activities

• Home Assignment: Ask students to reflect on a decision they will need to make in the coming week and apply the decision-making model at home.
• Class Discussion: In the following lesson, students can present their decision-making journey to the class, discussing both the decision and its outcome.

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This lesson engages students in a critical life skill while fostering an empathetic classroom environment, encouraging them to realise the importance of making informed choices.