Lesson: KS2 + 3 Decision Making
Literacy Citizenship
National Curriculum Reference: KS2 speaking and listening 4a, 4c Citizenship 2f
KS3 speaking and listening – role play activities 4a, 4b Citizenship 2b, 3a
Aim: To make informed decisions and explain choices.
Objectives:
• To make pupils aware of the moral dilemmas involved in some situations
• To encourage pupils to consider different choices and make decisions based on the information given
Assessment/Success Criteria: Most pupils will be able to explain their decisions using the evidence given. Some
pupils will not have progressed so far, will be able to make decisions and begin to explain their choices. Others will
have progressed further and will be able to explain their decisions and the alternatives that they considered, using
the evidence given.
Teacher Notes: Establish ground rules for class discussion before the session. Give each group the same dilemma
but a different ending –see Dilemmas worksheet.
Resources: Internet access to www.rnli.org.uk/shorething- Decision making. Worksheet - Dilemmas.
Key Vocabulary:
Dilemma
Decision
Hot seat
Moral
Lesson Plan:
Timing
Section
5 mins Introduction
Activity
Establish ground rules. Explain that pupils will be working in groups to act out a
dilemma. They will take turns to act out their drama which will then be open to
discussion.
20 mins
Group work
Split the class into four groups and choose one of the dilemmas from the worksheet
and give a copy to each group. Also give each member of the group one of the four
alternate endings and tell them not to share it with the other groups. Ask them to
organise themselves into the different roles and practise their drama.
Take turns to act out drama in front of the whole class.
Older groups use hot seating technique to explore different characters and issues
- explain that when a person is questioned they must remember they are still in
character and respond to questions accordingly.
Paired work
Explain that the pupils are now to work in pairs to discuss each role-play and the
different endings. Ask them to identify safe and less safe choices and discuss possible
consequences.
Extension
Ask each pair to write a new dilemma offering at least two alternative endings. If there
is time, choose one or two dilemmas and ask the groups to get back together and act
out as before.
Plenary
In light of the role-play activities discuss the statement ‘Would most people agree that
a beach holiday is good for your health?’
15 mins
10 mins
www.rnli.org.uk/shorething
page Worksheet: KS2 + 3 Decision Making
Literacy Citizenship
Dilemma 1
On a visit to the beach with your friends you notice a group of youths drinking alcohol and messing about on the
pier. One of the youths grabs the lifebelt and hurls it into the sea. They all laugh hysterically. Just then one of the
youths loses their balance and falls headlong into the sea. The sea is rough, the waves are high and it is obvious the
youth can’t swim very well. The rest of the gang panic. What do you do?
There are four possible endings.
a) Find a responsible adult and get help as quick as you can.
b) You are a good swimmer so you jump in and attempt to rescue the youth.
c) You watch as another youth jumps in to help but also gets into difficulty.
d) You use your mobile to call 999 and get help.
Dilemma 2
You are on holiday with your family.Your older sister has brought an inflatable lilo.You notice the red flag flying and
know that this means no swimming.You see your sister walking to the sea with her lilo clutched under her arm.
Mum and dad are too busy sorting out your baby brother who is crying.You shout to your sister but it is very
windy and she can’t hear you.You turn to your parents but they don’t take any notice of you. The next time you
look your sister is nowhere to be seen. What do you do?
There are four possible endings.
a) Tell your dad who runs into the sea and starts to look for her.
b) Alert the lifeguard as quickly as you can.
c) Panic and burst into tears, your parents haven’t got a clue what you are trying to say.
d) There is no lifeguard on this beach stay calm, explain what has happened to your parents clearly and make sure
they call 999 as soon as possible.
Dilemma 3
You go bodyboarding at the beach with your best friend. It’s a hot
summer’s day and there are plenty of people around having fun.
Suddenly you notice a child swimming outside the red and yellow
flagged swim area. The child is obviously swimming out of his depth and
beginning to panic.
Meanwhile two adults who had been swimming nearby have also
spotted the child, and go to help. However one of the adults gets caught
in a bad rip current (outside of the flagged swimming area), and ends up
going way past the child and being whisked out to sea. The other adult
decides to stay where he is.
There are four possible endings.
a) Your friend is closer to the child so they both hang onto the board.
You swim back to shore and alert the lifeguard as quickly as you can.
b) You try and swim out to the adult but get caught in a rip current
yourself.
c) You stay where you are, raise your hand and shout as hard as you can.
d) You go back to shore - it’s not your problem, is it?
www.rnli.org.uk/shorething
page