LESSON PLAN – Choices And Consequences

Theme – Managing Decisions

CAREER SKILLS – Career Management

KEY SKILLS – Communication, Problem Solving, Working With Others

WORK RELATED LEARNING – Learning For Work

COMPETENCIES – *ai, *aii, *aiii, *bi, *ci, *cii, *di, **ei, **eii, **eiii, **eiv, **ev, **evi, ***fiv, ***kiv, ***kv, ***kvi, ****li, ****mi, ****pi

SUGGESTED SUBJECT AREA – English, Social Studies, Personal Development

Learning Outcomes

By completing this task students will be able to:

  • Understand the “Risk” element in decision making.
  • Consider the benefits and costs involved in making a range of decisions.
  • Examine the consequences of decision making.

Preparation and Materials

  • Copies of the Activity Sheet “Choices And Consequences” for each student.
  • Blackboard/flipchart with a list of different types of risk.

Method

  1. Put students into secure pairs.
  2. Introduce the aim of the lesson using the learning outcomes on the Activity Sheet.
  3. Hand out the Activity Sheet to each student.
  4. Ask the students what all 13 situations have in common – i.e. all have an element of uncertainty – some degree of risk is present.
  5. Explain the six different types of risk using the list on the blackboard/flipchart.
  6. Ask the students individually to indicate against each situation the particular risk involved.
  7. Once completed, students compare answers with their partner.
  8. If the time permits go through the full list and discuss the answers. Alternatively walk around observing the activity and then pick out the most difficult situations for discussion.
  9. As a class, discuss why people take such risks – list the reasons on the blackboard/flipchart, e.g. to show off, to reach a particular goal, lack of information.
  10. Emphasise both negative and positive elements of risk-taking and the possible consequences.
  11. Ask the students with a partner to look at the 13 situations again and identify possible positive and negative consequences, e.g. speaking out in support of a friend results in friends gratitude – other classmates unhappy.
  12. Select three situations to take feedback from the pairs and discuss as a class.
  13. Ask the students what they have learned from the lesson.
  14. Summarise the main learning outcomes.

Learning Outcomes: By completing this task you will be able to:

  • Understand the “Risk” element in decision making.
  • Consider the benefits and costs involved in making a range of decisions.
  • Examine the consequences of decision making.

ACTIVITY SHEET – Choices And Consequences

Types of Risk

There are 6 types of risk:

What kind of risk is present in the following situations?
  1. Going to a party
  2. Auditioning for a part in the school play
  3. Taking part in an overnight expedition
  4. Smoking cigarettes
  5. Taking a drug
  6. Speaking out in support of a friend
  7. Getting involved with someone new
  8. Reading in assembly
  9. Hitchhiking
  10. Skipping school
  11. Taking a Mars Bar from a shop without paying
  12. Playing on the slot machines
  13. Breaking a confidence