Developmental Guidance Lesson

Lori M.

MSUM Intern 2000-2001

MJHS

Burnsville, Minnesota

Description of the lesson:

The purpose of this lesson is to understand problem-solving skills and their application as it relates to developmental needs.  This lesson will help middle school and junior high students understand the obstacles that make decision making difficult.

Lesson Procedure:

1)   Have students complete the “Identifying Your Obstacles” worksheet.

2)      Then put students in small groups with no more than four students per group. 

3)      Have students discuss the problems that they have when making decisions.  Have one student in each group record the answers on a sheet of paper.

4)      When students have finished their lists, have students discuss the “Step by Step Decision Making Procedure” (Steps 1-7 on the bottom of the I.D. Sheet).  Which step do they think is the most difficult?  The easiest?

5)      Then, have students return to their assigned seats.

6)      On the bottom of the I.D. sheet, have students write down two good decisions they made within the last month.  Then have students write a brief essay explaining what was the positive outcome of these decisions.  What worked?  What made the choice difficult?

National Guidelines:

IX.4- Clarify personal beliefs and attitudes and explain how they impact decision making.

Resources:

Self-Concept Series (Choosing).  Activity Book

Kolodny, Nancy  Smart Choices.

Decision making for Success in Life (Activity Book)

Nebraska Career Guidance Center Program Handbook

Identifying Your Obstacles

                                                Slightly            Moderately     Very

                                                Present                Present Present                        

1)      Fear of Failure              ______      _______    ______

2)      Fear of Change             ______      _______    ______

3)      Lack of Self- Confidence  ______      _______    ______

4)      Ambivalence          ______      _______    ______

5)      Sterotyping about self/others____      _______    ______

6)      Procrastination        ______      _______    ______

7)      Other                     ______      _______    ______

Step by Step Decision Making

1.      Identify the decision to be made.

2.      Gather information

3.      Identify the alternatives

4.      Weigh the evidence

5.      Choose among the alternatives

6.      Take action

7.      Review the decision

8.