In order for students to effectively make responsible decisions, the following steps are recommended:
- Identify the problem: Students must be able to recognize that there is a problem.
- Analyze the situation: Once students have succeeded in identifying the problem, they must then learn to analyze the situation from a variety of angles, which includes identifying how and why the problem arose.
- Solve the problem: After students have sufficiently identified, analyzed, and considered the problem, they then need to develop and practice methods for solving problems. They need to identify possible options and explore the benefits and potential consequences of each option. (ethical responsibility should be considered as well)
- Evaluate and reflect: Evaluating and reflecting on what happened is almost as important as the decision making process itself. When students take the time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved, they are thinking critically on necessary changes and will work to incorporate their new thinking into their next decision making opportunity.
Topics to help with promoting responsible decision making at the junior level include:
Role Playing
(Following the Responsible Decision Making Model)
For instance, before a student chooses to look at someone else’s test, the student will need to consider the potential ethical and moral repercussions of cheating.
Internet Safety
In the videos with accompanying lesson plans put out by OPHEA, students will apply a decision-making model and use problem solving skills to address risks and dangers to their own personal safety and the safety of others when it comes to the internet.
Peer Pressure
Peer Pressure or Social pressure is when a group of people make you feel that you need to change yourself or do something you don’t want to do to impress them instead of being yourself. It’s a big problem in unstable friend groups. Explore strategies to help when this pressure pushes on you.
Wallet Wellness
OPHEA has created an excellent unit for gade 4-6 students one responsible spending.
