Lesson Plan
Smart Choices Lesson Plan
Students will learn to apply a structured decision-making process to real-life substance use and misuse scenarios, develop critical thinking, and practice making informed, healthy choices.
Early adolescence is a critical time for shaping attitudes toward substance use; teaching a clear decision-making process equips students with skills to evaluate risks, resist peer pressure, and make healthy choices.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Introduction to Decision Making
5 minutes
Step 2
Review Decision-Making Steps
10 minutes
Step 3
Group Scenario Analysis
15 minutes
Step 4
Group Presentations and Discussion
10 minutes
Step 5
Individual Reflection
5 minutes
Slide Deck
Smart Choices: Decision-Making for Healthy Choices
Learning Objectives
Five-Step Decision-Making Process
Step 1: Identify & Step 2: Gather Information
Step 3: Explore Options & Step 4: Weigh Pros and Cons
Step 5: Make and Evaluate the Decision
Group Scenario Analysis
Group Presentations & Discussion
Individual Reflection
Key Takeaways & Resources
Worksheet
Activity
Reading
Lesson Plan
Smart Choices Unit Plan
Equip students with a structured decision-making framework and apply it across a range of health choices—from substance use to peer pressure and lifestyle decisions—through nine interactive lessons.
Early adolescents face many choices; a step-by-step process builds confidence, critical thinking, and healthy habits before risky situations arise.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Unit Materials
30 minutes
Step 1
Lesson 1: Introduction to Decision Making
45 minutes
Step 2
Lesson 2: Steps 1 & 2—Identify and Gather Information
45 minutes
Step 3
Lesson 3: Steps 3 & 4—Explore Options and Weigh Pros/Cons
45 minutes
Step 4
Lesson 4: Step 5—Make and Evaluate the Decision
45 minutes
Step 5
Lesson 5: Applying to Substance Use Scenarios
45 minutes
Step 6
Lesson 6: Peer Pressure and Refusal Skills
45 minutes
Step 7
Lesson 7: Prescription Drugs & Media Influence
45 minutes
Step 8
Lesson 8: Healthy Lifestyle Decisions
45 minutes
Step 9
Lesson 9: Capstone Project & Unit Review
45 minutes
Reading
Reading
Worksheet
Activity
Lesson Plan
Lesson 2 Detailed Plan
Students will clearly define a decision and its goal, identify what facts or advice they need, and locate trustworthy information sources.
Defining the decision and gathering reliable information lays a strong foundation for making informed, healthy choices and reduces uncertainty.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Quick Review of the Five Steps
5 minutes
Step 2
Teach Steps 1 & 2
10 minutes
Step 3
Partner/Station Practice
20 minutes
Step 4
Share & Reflect
5 minutes
Step 5
Exit Ticket
5 minutes
Lesson Plan
Lesson 3 Detailed Plan
Students will brainstorm a wide range of possible actions for a given scenario and evaluate the benefits and risks of top options to make informed decisions.
Exploring options and weighing pros and cons helps students recognize trade-offs, develop creative solutions, and choose actions aligned with their goals and values.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Quick Review of Steps 1 & 2
5 minutes
Step 2
Teach Steps 3 & 4
10 minutes
Step 3
Group Brainstorm
20 minutes
Step 4
Gallery Walk
5 minutes
Step 5
Exit Ticket
5 minutes
Lesson Plan
Lesson 4 Detailed Plan
Students will select their best option based on personal goals and values and plan how to evaluate its outcome using Step 5 of the decision-making process.
Reflecting on and evaluating decisions helps students learn from real outcomes, adjust strategies, and strengthen future decision-making skills.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Review Steps & Introduce Step 5
5 minutes
Step 2
Teach Step 5
10 minutes
Step 3
Individual Application
20 minutes
Step 4
Peer Feedback
5 minutes
Step 5
Exit Ticket
5 minutes
Lesson Plan
Lesson 5 Detailed Plan
Students will apply the five-step decision-making process to real-life substance-use and misuse scenarios, practice critical thinking, and identify healthy refusal strategies.
Working through authentic peer-pressure scenarios builds confidence, reinforces refusal skills, and embeds healthy decision habits before risky situations arise.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Quick Review of Decision Steps
5 minutes
Step 2
Introduce Scenario Activity
5 minutes
Step 3
Small-Group Scenario Analysis
20 minutes
Step 4
Group Presentations & Discussion
10 minutes
Step 5
Exit Ticket
5 minutes
Lesson Plan
Lesson 6 Detailed Plan
Students will practice assertive refusal techniques in realistic peer-pressure scenarios and reflect on strategies that work best for them.
Learning and rehearsing refusal skills empowers students to stand up for their values, resist peer pressure, and maintain healthy choices in everyday situations.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Quick Review & Introduction
5 minutes
Step 2
Teach Refusal Strategy Steps
10 minutes
Step 3
Warm-Up Demonstration
5 minutes
Step 4
Pair Role-Play Rotations
15 minutes
Step 5
Feedback and Debrief
5 minutes
Step 6
Reflection & Exit Ticket
5 minutes
Lesson Plan
Lesson 7 Detailed Plan
Students will analyze persuasive media messages for hidden risks and apply the five-step decision-making process to media scenarios.
Understanding how advertisements shape perceptions and learning to question media claims equips students to make informed, healthy choices amid persuasive messaging.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Quick Review & Introduction
5 minutes
Step 2
Teach Media Literacy
10 minutes
Step 3
Ad Analysis Activity
15 minutes
Step 4
Apply Decision Steps
10 minutes
Step 5
Share & Exit Ticket
5 minutes
Lesson Plan
Lesson 8 Detailed Plan
Students will apply the five-step decision-making process to design a personalized nutrition, exercise, or wellness plan that aligns with their goals and values.
Early practice in setting and evaluating healthy lifestyle goals builds lifelong wellness habits and strengthens decision-making skills before students face real-world choices.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Quick Review & Introduction
5 minutes
Step 2
Teach Healthy Choices
10 minutes
Step 3
Individual Planning
15 minutes
Step 4
Partner Feedback
10 minutes
Step 5
Class Share & Exit Ticket
5 minutes
Lesson Plan
Lesson 9 Detailed Plan
Students will synthesize all five decision-making steps by creating an original capstone project and reflect on their growth throughout the unit.
A culminating project lets students demonstrate mastery, integrate skills across varied contexts, and solidify their confidence in making healthy choices.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Unit Recap
5 minutes
Step 2
Project Introduction
5 minutes
Step 3
Independent Project Work
20 minutes
Step 4
Gallery Walk
5 minutes
Step 5
Debrief & Reflection
5 minutes
Step 6
Exit Ticket
5 minutes
Lesson Plan
Lesson 1 Detailed Plan
Students will define ‘decision,’ understand why a clear process matters, and name and briefly explain the five decision-making steps.
Starting with a clear framework helps students recognize how even small choices impact their health and confidence, reducing impulsive or regrettable decisions.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Hook & Class Discussion
5 minutes
Step 2
Teach the Five Steps
10 minutes
