Grades: grade-7
Put your decision-making skills to work and think about what you would do in the situations on this page and the following pages.
Situation 1
Your best friend invites you and some other classmates over for the afternoon, and during the course of your time together tells you that he or she has taken up vaping. Your friend takes out their vape and offers you a puff. What do you do? Make a choice and see where it takes you.
Review the decision-making steps below. Then, answer the questions.
- Situation: Why do you need to make a decision?
- Goals: What do you want to happen?
- Choices: What are your options or the alternatives?
- Consequences: What could happen?
- Decision: What will you do?
- Think about it: Did you make the right decision?
Do you think you go through all of the decision-making steps involved? If "Yes," how so?
Do you focus on one step more than others? Explain.
What factors influence your decisions? (your goals, values, friends, family, etc.)
How do you make decisions when you feel stressed?
Tyrell is walking home from school with a group of friends. In the past few weeks, some of them have started using smokeless tobacco on the way home. This goes on for several days, after which most of Tyrell’s friends have picked up the behavior. One day, Tyrell reaches into his pocket, pulls out a pouch of smokeless tobacco, and starts dipping.
Could this be you? Look back at the list of what’s important to you on the previous page. How would using tobacco and nicotine go against what’s important to you?
How could Tyrell (or you) deal with peer influence when it comes to using tobacco and nicotine?
Think of three serious decisions you made recently. Write them on the lines. Then answer the questions on the next screen.
Decision 1:
Decision 2:
Decision 3:
- LOW IMPORTANCE
- MEDIUM IMPORTANCE
- HIGH IMPORTANCE
- Being a member of the “in group” at school
- Having money to spend
- Saying “no” to my friends when they do something i don’t want to do
- Maintaining good eating and hygiene habits
- Being respected
- Getting good grades
- Being liked by my teachers
- Being willing to experiment and take risks
- Being respectful
- Deciding what i want to do when i become an adult
- Standing up for yourself
- Having good friends
- Having the latest styles in clothing, jewelry, etc
- Having more freedom to come and go as i please
- Having more responsibility at home
- Being successful athlete
- Doing what is right
- Having interests outside of school
- Having a nice appearance
- Being considered funny by my friends
- Fitting in
- Being very popular
Now, take a moment to reflect on your response. Then, move on to next page.
CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES
Based on your feelings, the next time you are in a situation similar to this one, you are likely to (choose one):
CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES
Based on your feelings, the next time you are in a situation similar to this one, you are likely to (choose one):