This or That (Adaptable for Grades K-5)
Lesson Plan
Adapted from/Counselor Name: Denise Robison
Title of Lesson: THIS OR THAT (decision making in action)
Quarter: Anytime
Audience: Classroom Small Group
Level: Primary (K-2) Intermediate (3-5)
Target Grade: 2nd

COUNSELING STANDARDS
ACADEMIC
Acquire knowledge and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and throughout life.
CAREER
Employ strategies to achieve future career success and satisfaction.
PERSONAL/SOCIAL
Make decisions, set goals, and take necessary action to achieve established goals.

COUNSELING COMPETENCY(IES)
CAREER-Describe how personal beliefs and attitudes affect decision-making. ACADEMIC-Develop an awareness of the decision-making
process. PERSONAL/SOCIAL-Recognize decisions have alternatives.

MATERIALS/RESOURCES:
-"Little Dinosaur Decides" story (This story comes from The Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Lessons)
-A dinosaur puppet or any puppet you have and change the name of the story

ACTIVITY:
Have the puppet tell the story. After the story ask: what is the problem; what were the choices the dinosaur had in the story; what were the
consequences of the dinosaur's decision; was the dinosaur's choice good or bad;, safe; kind; will it work; could the dinosaur have chosen is. 2. Think of some choices. 3. Think about the consequences. 4. Make a decision that has a good consequence. Now tell the class they are
going to practice decision-making. Reinforce that no decision is wrong but that our decisions create different consequences or outcomes. Most
important is not to say a put down about anyone's choices. Ask them to stand in the middle of the room. Tell them you are going to say two
choices and tell them what side of the room to stand on for the choice they make. For example, say McDonalds/Pizza Hut, chocolate/vanilla,
football/baseball, cats/dogs, math/writing, work with people/work alone, work inside/work outside, work with animals/work with people, etc.

EVALUATION:
Pretest/Post test: What are the steps to making a decision?
How did the student change as a result of this lesson?
Students will have more awareness and practice with the decision making process and how that relates to careers.
Information/Comments/Follow-up: The next few lessons should center around career clusters.