Suggested Grade/Age Range: Grades 4-6 (ages 9-11)

Activity Objective: The goal of this activity is to introduce to children that all choices have consequences. Sometimes these consequences are positive, sometimes they are negative, and at other times, they are neutral. It is important to carefully think through a choice before making it.

Learning Goals
Big Messages to Kids

Link to Ontario Curriculum

Materials Required:

• Scenario cards (one for each small group). Make extra copies as needed as it is okay if two or more small groups did the same scenario
• Choices and consequences charts (enough copies so each individual has one)
• Print extra copies in case individuals need a new one
• Pencils, erasers

Prep Time: 10-15 minutes

• Print out scenario cards
  
•  Prepare writing utensils

Task Time: 45-60 minutes

• Class discussion about making choices and their consequences
• Divide children into small group to explore scenarios and fill out charts
• Gather whole class for each small group to present

Activity Description:

Opening Discussion:

1.       Introduce the activity by telling class that we make choices everyday and that some may be easy while others are more difficult to make. Follow the discussion points below:

• Ask children to think of some examples of simple choices they have made today? (e.g., what they ate for breakfast, what clothes they wore to school, what they played at recess, etc.)
• Ask children to think of a harder choice that they had to make (e.g., apologizing after a fight with a friend, choosing who to play with, etc.)
• Ask the children what happens to their self-esteem when they make a good choice
• Introduce the fact that every choice comes with a consequence and give an example of this. Have children also volunteer some examples of consequences to choices. Emphasize that consequences can be good, bad, or neutral and give an example of each
• Ask the children how they can get help when they need to make a difficult choice. Emphasize that it is important that they can reach out to an adult they trust to talk about the choice and its consequences

Activity:

2.       Tell the class that they will be working in small groups to talk and write about the choices and consequences for different scenarios. They will have about 10 minutes to do so and then you will take it up as a whole class

3.       Divide individuals into small groups of 3-4. Give them a scenario, charts for each individual, and writing utensils as needed. Emphasize that all group members have to write down the answers to ensure that everyone is participating. Go over classroom rules for working with peers as needed

4.       Circulate amongst groups and give feedback as needed to their discussions

Wrap-up Discussion/Presentations

5.       Regather class and have each small group present their scenario, choices, and consequences

6.       Have everyone reconvene in their small groups to now create a scenario of their own and to write down three choices and consequences that follow. Give them about 10-15 minutes to do so

7.       Circulate as children work in their small groups and give feedback as needed to their discussions

8.       Have each small group present their scenario, choices, and consequences to the whole class

9.       Consolidate knowledge by emphasizing the big messages of thinking through a choice before making it and that a poor choice can always be followed up by a good one

Activity Extensions:

If time is limited, the scenario-creating activity outlined in steps 6-8 above can be scheduled for another session

Additional Comments:

In extenuating circumstances such as in abusive situations, choices for safety may not be available. It is important  not to blame children for their circumstances. Rather, emphasize that any poor choice can be followed by a good choice and the most important choice to make in difficult situations is to get help from a trusted adult

Additional Resources:

You may choose to review over the Making Choices Literature Review before implementing this activity. It can be found here.