After their presentations, I gave my Scholars a task:
Help out a teen in need. They were given scenarios from BoostHigh.org in which a teen was faced with an obstacle that could take them off of the path to graduation. I asked them to use their new knowledge to help someone else make better decisions, gain/increase self-confidence, use resources wisely, manage time wisely, be organized and responsible, and manage relationships better.
Decision-Making Questions
To be effective, they must first determine a plan of action by completing the following guidelines.
1. What is the situation or problem?
2. What is the decision/choice that has to be made?
3. What are some possible choices?
4. What are all of the possible consequences?
5. What recommendations would you make to boost this teen to get or stay on track?
6. What is the best plan of action for this teen
1. What is the situation or problem?
2. What is the decision/choice that has to be made?
3. What are some possible choices?
4. What are all of the possible consequences?
5. What recommendations would you make to boost this teen to get or stay on track?
6. What is the best plan of action for this teen
Meet the teens and read their solutions.
Decision Making Skills
Lauren, a 10th grader, is deciding what classes to take next semester.
After her required classes, she has three periods she can fill with electives. She wants to sign up for an easy class that the boy she likes is already signed up for. Her sociology teacher and her mom encouraged her to sign up for an advanced-level class to help her prepare for college, but she’s going to ignore their advice. She says she plans on going to college one day to become a psychologist, but that time is so far away, she doesn’t need to plan for it now. Right???????
After her required classes, she has three periods she can fill with electives. She wants to sign up for an easy class that the boy she likes is already signed up for. Her sociology teacher and her mom encouraged her to sign up for an advanced-level class to help her prepare for college, but she’s going to ignore their advice. She says she plans on going to college one day to become a psychologist, but that time is so far away, she doesn’t need to plan for it now. Right???????
Motivation
Kierstin, a 10th grader, just transferred to a new school and isn’t doing
well in her classes.
Her classes are easy and boring. She has no friends and barely knows anyone. She wants to join the step team but can’t because her family can’t afford it. She has no motivation and hates school. She wishes she had friends. That way, at least she would have something to look forward to each day.
well in her classes.
Her classes are easy and boring. She has no friends and barely knows anyone. She wants to join the step team but can’t because her family can’t afford it. She has no motivation and hates school. She wishes she had friends. That way, at least she would have something to look forward to each day.
Peer Pressure
Ammery, a 9th grader, has been hanging out with cool kids who are
all juniors.
They invited her to ditch third period with them, and she knows they’re going off-campus to smoke. She has a test in that class tomorrow and the review is today. She really wants to go with them because they’re fun to be around. Plus, she thinks she’s ready for the quiz anyway. Ditching class isn’t a big deal, right? After all, her friends ditch all the time, so how bad could it be?
all juniors.
They invited her to ditch third period with them, and she knows they’re going off-campus to smoke. She has a test in that class tomorrow and the review is today. She really wants to go with them because they’re fun to be around. Plus, she thinks she’s ready for the quiz anyway. Ditching class isn’t a big deal, right? After all, her friends ditch all the time, so how bad could it be?
Relationships
Malcolm, a 9th grader, is failing algebra and English because he often zones out when the teachers are explaining the assignments and homework.
He has always struggled with math and reading, and paying attention in class is hard, too. If he doesn’t pass his classes, he’ll start the second semester of 9th grade with no points in Math or English. When asked why he misses homework and doesn’t study for tests, he just shrugs his shoulders and says he doesn’t know. What he doesn’t tell his teachers is that he doesn’t understand the lessons and has difficulty paying attention. He hasn’t talked to his parents about his learning trouble because he doesn’t get along with them.
He has always struggled with math and reading, and paying attention in class is hard, too. If he doesn’t pass his classes, he’ll start the second semester of 9th grade with no points in Math or English. When asked why he misses homework and doesn’t study for tests, he just shrugs his shoulders and says he doesn’t know. What he doesn’t tell his teachers is that he doesn’t understand the lessons and has difficulty paying attention. He hasn’t talked to his parents about his learning trouble because he doesn’t get along with them.
Responsibility
Jacob, a 9th grader, usually does well in school but has been absent many times because he has to stay home to take care of his baby brother whenever his mom works extra shifts.
His parents work a lot and aren’t around to support him, help him with homework, or even make him dinner. His parents didn’t finish high school and his older brother dropped out of school last year. Every time he tries to talk to his family about the importance of his education, they get into a big fight. How will he be able to graduate if his family doesn’t support his efforts?
His parents work a lot and aren’t around to support him, help him with homework, or even make him dinner. His parents didn’t finish high school and his older brother dropped out of school last year. Every time he tries to talk to his family about the importance of his education, they get into a big fight. How will he be able to graduate if his family doesn’t support his efforts?
Self-Confidence
Erika, a 12th grader, isn’t good at math and, as a result, is in an
algebra class with all freshmen.
The freshmen are smarter and do better in the class, which makes her feel stupid. She hates math and doesn’t understand why she has to take it. Her grades aren’t good enough for college anyway, so she’s not planning on going. She already has a job working as a waitress after school and doesn’t think she’s smart enough to do anything else. So, she figures she should just drop out now.
algebra class with all freshmen.
The freshmen are smarter and do better in the class, which makes her feel stupid. She hates math and doesn’t understand why she has to take it. Her grades aren’t good enough for college anyway, so she’s not planning on going. She already has a job working as a waitress after school and doesn’t think she’s smart enough to do anything else. So, she figures she should just drop out now.
Time Management
Mario, an 11th grader, is failing two classes: math and history.
His dad was killed in a drunk-driving accident last year and his family has struggled ever since. He has difficulty finding time to study because he works every day so he can help his mom pay bills. If he doesn’t improve his grades, he won’t be allowed to play sports and will have to go to summer school. But there just isn’t enough time to focus on homework when he has to go to practice and then work every day after school.
His dad was killed in a drunk-driving accident last year and his family has struggled ever since. He has difficulty finding time to study because he works every day so he can help his mom pay bills. If he doesn’t improve his grades, he won’t be allowed to play sports and will have to go to summer school. But there just isn’t enough time to focus on homework when he has to go to practice and then work every day after school.
