This activity requires children to “publish” their choices – making a visible commitment to one of three options. Verbal skills, analytical skills and decision-making skills will be exercised.

Before you read a “what’s the deal?”™ story card to the class, identify three alternative actions Fiona or Luke could take –making sure all three seem reasonable. Children will look for clues from you as to which is the “right” answer. The learning is in using their reasoning to make a selection on their own.

ACTIVITY

1. Read the story card.
2. Read and hold up three option cards. Do not allow/support discussion at this point – but ask them to be thinking which option they think is best.
3. Place the three cards in different places in the room.
4. Explain to the children they will be Making Choices with their feet.
   • Choice 1 – those who think Choice 1 is best – gather by that card.
   • Choice 2 – those who think Choice 2 is best – gather by that card
   • Choice 3 – those who think Choice 3 is best – gather by that card.
5. Allow two minutes to discuss in their groups why they think their option is the best one.
6. Give each group an opportunity to explain their selection. Let them ask questions of each other.
7. Ask how easy/difficult it was to make the decision.
8. Review – S.T.E.P. model – an ethiSkill
   • S. – looked at a situation
   • T. – thought about what’s really going on
   • E. – evaluated the options and made a selection
   • P. – last part of making a decision is taking action and doing what you decided to do.