Lesson Plan

Decision Breakdown Guide

Students will learn to break decisions into clear steps, identify options, weigh pros and cons, and make responsible choices by applying a structured framework to real-life scenarios.

This workshop equips students with critical thinking skills and self-awareness by teaching them to make thoughtful decisions, aligning with CASEL’s Responsible Decision-Making and supporting academic and personal growth.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review Materials & Arrange Groups

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Objective

5 minutes

Step 2

Model the Decision Breakdown

5 minutes

Step 3

Small-Group Decision Breakdown

15 minutes

Step 4

Reflection & Debrief

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Think It Through

Welcome students. Introduce the workshop and explain that you'll guide them through a five-step process to make thoughtful, responsible decisions.

Workshop Agenda

Outline the schedule so students know what to expect.

What is Responsible Decision-Making?

Define responsible decision-making and connect to CASEL’s framework.

5 Steps to Decision-Making

Quickly run through all five steps so students see the big picture before diving in.

Step 1: Identify the Decision

Explain how to clearly define the choice they face.

Step 2: Brainstorm Options

Encourage creative thinking without judging ideas at this stage.

Step 3: Weigh Pros & Cons

Show how to fairly compare options by listing positives and negatives.

Step 4: Choose Based on Evidence

Emphasize choosing based on the strongest evidence, not impulse.

Step 5: Reflect & Learn

Remind students that decision-making is a learning process.

Example: Choosing an After-School Activity

Walk through this quick example, filling in the chart as you go.

Small-Group Activity

Introduce the small-group exercise and link to worksheets and activities.

Reflection & Next Steps

Prepare students for the final reflection and wrap-up.

Lesson Plan

Decision Breakdown Guide

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review Materials & Arrange Groups

Step 1

Introduction & Objective

Step 2

Model the Decision Breakdown

Step 3

Small-Group Decision Breakdown

Step 4

Reflection & Debrief

Slide Deck

Think It Through

Workshop Agenda

What is Responsible Decision-Making?

5 Steps to Decision-Making

Step 1: Identify the Decision

Step 2: Brainstorm Options

Step 3: Weigh Pros & Cons

Step 4: Choose Based on Evidence

Step 5: Reflect & Learn

Example: Choosing an After-School Activity

Small-Group Activity

Reflection & Next Steps

Worksheet

Activity

Journal

Think It Through

Kate