Lesson 4 - Conflicts & Decision Making

PA Standard: 11.2.6.A

Essential Question:  How do we evaluate alternatives to decision making?  What are the consequences of snap decisions?

Have you ever made a snap decision you regret?  Or thought you should have handled a situation better, afterwards?  How we handle conflicts and the decisions that follow have consequences.

 

Vocabulary to know:

Conflict - 

Mediator - 

Compromise - 

Resolution - 

 

How do I deal with ...?

Verbal or Physical Harassment	Gossip	Exclusion	Unwanted Physical Contact
1. Stay away from the person.	1. Confront the person.	1. Talk to an adult.	1. Stay away from the person.
2. Talk to an adult.	2. Write the person a letter/text.	2. Find other friends.	2. Talk to an adult

ALWAYS avoid yelling, name-calling, and physical violence because they make conflicts worse!  

 

 

Class Discussion: 

What would you do if...?

... someone in your class brought in a penknife or another dangerous object. What would you do to protect yourself and your classmates? Why?

... your best friend asks you to go to the movies on Saturday. Today, a very popular student at school invites you to go with his/her family to Hershey Park and you've wanted to go to Hershey Park for a looooooong time. What would you do? Why?

... a class bully has been spreading rumors and making fun of you.  Your friends urge you to fight him/her.  You know that if you fight, the bully will win (and you will both get in trouble), but you don't want your friends to call you a "wimp".  What would you do? Why?

 

 

When faced with a dilemma, follow the Decision Making Process.

Practice: Table Partner Activities

1. Teacher will give you an envelope with steps. Can you put the decision making process in order?
2. WHAT IF Activity:  For each situation, determine the dilemma; list your options (possible choices); the consequences of each possible choice and your final decision.  Write your answers in your notebooks.

• A classmate dropped a $10 bill leaving class.  They didn't realize it and you are the only one who noticed.
  • What is the dilemma?
  • Possible Choices
  • Consequences of each choice possible
  • Your Final Decision
• Your mom tells you to come straight home from school, but today your best friend asks you to stop by his/her house to play a new video game.  His/Her mom says its OK for you to come.
  • What is the dilemma?
  • Possible Choices
  • Consequences of each choice possible
  • Your Final Decision

• Your friends want you to try drinking beer with them.  You tell them you don't want to try it but they laugh and call you a "nerd".  They ask you again and say "try it, one drink won't hurt".
  • What is the dilemma?
  • Possible Choices
  • Consequences of each choice possible
  • Your Final Decision

 

Individual Assignment: Read the two stories from Chicken Soup for the Soul called "The Walk That Changed Our Lives" and Feeling Full" provided in class and answer the following questions in your notebook.

The Walk That Changed Our Lives	Feeling Full
Who was the main character? What did the main character want? What was the problem? How did the character try to solve the problem? What was the resolution? Why did the girls think it was important to confide in the school counselor about Hannah's conversation? Why do you think Hannah felt relieved at the end of the story? What obstacle(s) did Hannah overcome?	Who was the main character? What did the main character want? What was the problem? How did the character try to solve the problem? What was the resolution? How did the author, Samantha, change from the beginning of the story to the end? How did Samantha's relationship with Hayley affect her? What obstacle(s) did Samantha overcome?