Lesson Plan

Session 1: Meet the Decision Model

Students will learn a clear, 5-step decision-making model and practice applying it to personal and hypothetical scenarios to build confidence and structure in their choices.

Introducing a structured decision model helps students break down complex choices, reducing impulsive behavior and fostering critical thinking and self-awareness in real-life situations.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Hook: What Is a Decision?

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce the 5-Step Decision Model

10 minutes

Step 3

Guided Practice: Personal Scenario

10 minutes

Step 4

Scenario Cards Game

7 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Reflection

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 1: Meet the Decision Model

Welcome students to Session 1. Introduce yourself and explain that today they’ll learn a 5-step model to structure their decisions.

Hook: What Is a Decision?

Pose the question verbally and record student responses on chart paper. Encourage everyone to share.

Decisions: Small vs. Big

Clarify differences between small, medium, and big decisions. Use student examples if available.

5-Step Decision Model Overview

Briefly introduce all five steps. Tell students they’ll explore each in detail next.

Step 1: Identify the Decision

Explain Step 1. Ask students to think of a decision they made recently and name it.

Step 2: Gather Information

Describe Step 2. Encourage students to list facts, opinions, and trustworthy sources.

Step 3: Evaluate Options

Cover Step 3. Highlight pros and cons, risks and benefits.

Step 4: Decide & Act

Detail Step 4. Stress the importance of committing to an action.

Step 5: Reflect

Explain Step 5. Encourage honest self-assessment.

Guided Practice: Personal Scenario

Guide pairs through sharing a recent personal decision and mapping it to each step on the handout.

Scenario Cards Game

Form groups of three and distribute scenario cards. Circulate to support groups.

Wrap-Up & Reflection

Collect exit tickets or invite a few verbal reflections. Preview next session’s focus: gathering and evaluating information.

Script

Discussion

Activity

Worksheet

Game

Lesson Plan

Session 2: Gather & Evaluate

Students will master Steps 2 (Gather Information) and 3 (Evaluate Options) of the decision model by learning the CRAAP criteria and practicing pros-and-cons analysis on real-life scenarios.

Developing strong research and evaluation skills ensures students use reliable information and weigh choices thoughtfully, reducing impulsivity and improving decision outcomes.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Hook & Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Step 2 Deep Dive: CRAAP Criteria

10 minutes

Step 3

Guided Practice: Source Evaluation

8 minutes

Step 4

Step 3 Deep Dive: Pros & Cons

5 minutes

Step 5

Group Practice: Scenario Evaluation

5 minutes

Step 6

Wrap-Up & Reflection

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 2: Gather & Evaluate

Welcome students and introduce the focus of Session 2: gathering reliable information and evaluating options using structured tools.

Review: 5-Step Decision Model

Recap all five steps, then highlight Steps 2 and 3 as today’s focus. Use this to transition into why quality information matters.

Step 2 Deep Dive: CRAAP Criteria

Introduce the CRAAP acronym and explain its purpose: to help students assess source reliability.

CRAAP in Action: Sample Source

Model evaluating a sample source with CRAAP. Point out strengths and weaknesses for each criterion.

Step 3 Deep Dive: Pros & Cons Analysis

Transition to Step 3. Explain that after gathering info, students must systematically compare options.

Pros & Cons Example

Show a quick example: deciding whether to join a new club. Ask students to name one pro and one con aloud.

Practice #1: Source Evaluation

Guide students into their first group practice: source evaluation. Remind them of the handout and chart paper.

Practice #2: Scenario Evaluation

After source practice, prompt groups to apply pros & cons to a dilemma card. Reference the worksheet.

Wrap-Up & Reflection

Collect exit tickets and encourage reflection. Preview Session 3’s focus on deciding and acting.

Lesson Plan

Session 1: Meet the Decision Model

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

Step 1

Hook: What Is a Decision?

Step 2

Introduce the 5-Step Decision Model

Step 3

Guided Practice: Personal Scenario

Step 4

Scenario Cards Game

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Reflection

Slide Deck

Session 1: Meet the Decision Model

Hook: What Is a Decision?

Decisions: Small vs. Big

5-Step Decision Model Overview

Step 1: Identify the Decision

Step 2: Gather Information

Step 3: Evaluate Options

Step 4: Decide & Act

Step 5: Reflect

Guided Practice: Personal Scenario

Scenario Cards Game

Wrap-Up & Reflection

Script

Discussion

Activity

Worksheet

Game

Lesson Plan

Session 2: Gather & Evaluate

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

Step 1

Hook & Warm-Up

Step 2

Step 2 Deep Dive: CRAAP Criteria

Step 3

Guided Practice: Source Evaluation

Step 4

Step 3 Deep Dive: Pros & Cons

Step 5

Group Practice: Scenario Evaluation

Step 6

Wrap-Up & Reflection

Slide Deck

Session 2: Gather & Evaluate

Review: 5-Step Decision Model

Step 2 Deep Dive: CRAAP Criteria

CRAAP in Action: Sample Source

Step 3 Deep Dive: Pros & Cons Analysis

Pros & Cons Example

Practice #1: Source Evaluation

Practice #2: Scenario Evaluation

Wrap-Up & Reflection

Choose Your Path

Rebecca Silva