Introduction
The ability to make good decisions is an essential life skill that becomes increasingly important as we grow older. Middle school students face a variety of decisions daily, ranging from social interactions to academic choices. This blog post focuses on teaching decision-making skills to middle school students, incorporating the principles of Social-Emotional Learning. We will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and how to access free sample materials.
No-Prep Activity: The “What If” Game
The “What If” game is a simple activity that requires no preparation or materials. The educator presents a hypothetical situation to the students and asks them to think about what they would do in that scenario. This encourages students to consider different options and weigh the pros and cons of each choice. For example, the educator could present the following scenario:
“Imagine that one of your best friends starts stealing things when you go to stores. You don’t want to tell on them, but you don’t want to be involved in their actions. What would you do?”
Allow students time to think about their response and encourage them to share their thoughts with the class. This activity helps students practice their decision-making skills and demonstrates the importance of considering various options before making a choice.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to consider all available options before making a decision?
- How can peer pressure affect our decision-making process? How can we handle peer pressure effectively?
- What strategies can you use to ensure that you make good decisions in difficult situations?
- How can thinking about the long-term consequences of our decisions help us make better choices?
- Why is it important to take responsibility for our decisions and learn from our mistakes?
Related Skills
Decision-making skills are closely related to several other important Social-Emotional Learning skills for middle school students, such as:
- Problem-solving: Identifying and resolving issues effectively.
- Self-awareness: Recognizing our feelings and understanding how they impact our decisions.
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which can help us make more compassionate choices.
- Assertiveness: Expressing our needs and standing up for ourselves in a respectful manner.
- Communication: Effectively conveying our thoughts and feelings to others, which can help us navigate difficult situations.
Next Steps
Now that you have a better understanding of how to teach decision-making skills to middle school students, consider incorporating these strategies into your educational practice. To access free sample materials and explore other Social-Emotional Learning skills, sign up at Everyday Speech’s Sample Materials page. By nurturing these essential life skills, you can help your students develop the ability to make informed, responsible decisions that will serve them well throughout their lives.
