Volume 3, Number 2

1996 Indiana University - The Center for Adolescent Studies

Decision Log

Lesson Objective:

Grade Level and Subject Area:

Materials:

Activities and Strategies

• Give each student a decision chart or have them draw their own. Across the top, the questions should be:
  
  
  While making the decision:
  How much of a free choice was this?
  How does this decision effect others?
  Was my decision influenced by others?
  What are the alternatives?
  
  
  After making the decision:
  How happy am I with this decision?
  What would I do next time?
  
  
• Present a situation to the students, such as U.S. Involvement in Bosnia or what classes they will take next year.
  
• Have the students make a decision about the issue: -For instance, should the U.S. troops be involved in Bosnia? Should you take band or art class next year?
  
• Have the students examine their decision by answering the questions in the chart.
  
• Discuss the decisions made with the class.

  Variations:
  

  • The students could work in teams.
    
  • The students could examine a real-life decision made by another person.
    
  • The students could keep a log of the decisions they make in their normal daily activities.
    

Sample Decision Log