Responsible Decision Making

Demonstrating Curiosity and Openmindedness- Math does not often lend itself to curiosity, as most of the 8th-grade curriculum is "right" or "wrong." I enjoy promoting discussions in my classrooms on the topics through error analysis and presenting challenge questions on open-ended topics. For example, we are currently learning about scatterplots in our functions unit and there are patterns in data worth exploring further; we discussed a question about foot size vs. performance on a math quiz, and posed the question, "Why is there a gap in the data?" where students had to think outside the mathematics to discern that babies cannot take math quizzes! 

Some key takeaways that I had from the CASEL framework regarding responsible decision making included the ability to make decisions with an open mind, identifying solutions to a problem, understanding the consequences of ones actions, and analyzing facts before making a decision. As I continued my research outside of the CASEL framework there seemed to be four key characteristics that make up students ability to make responsible and sound decisions. These four areas were open-mindedness, integrity, making judegments based on valid information (data, facts etc.), and the ability to find solutions to problems. I hope to continue to help my students in these four main areas. I am currently encouraging students to make sound decisions by taking classroom suggestions (written students responses), allowing students to help determine classroom rules and procedures, giving choice in assignment (when possible), brainstorming ideas together as a whole group and discussing pro/cons and possible outcomes. Lastly, we have regular discussions about the consequences of our actions (both positive and negative). I have been able to incorporate some of the concepts from a book I just finished called Atomic Habits to reinforce the effect of small positive choices over time. 

Responsible decision making is having curiosity to learn about different situations.  Students need to be able to Identify problems and trying to find an appropriate solution.  It is also the ability to analyze what the consequences would be for the choices that they make.  
In the classroom, it is important to have open conversations about actions and asking what solutions would be best for situations.  Again, we can read books and have them identify the problem and the solution in the story and also if the solution was the best for the situation.  I would encourage them to find a different solution and to think about the consequences that could happen for the choices they make.

It's important to learn the importance of taking responsibility for your actions.  In my financial algebra class we just finished talking about car insurance and how your actions while driving directly affect your insurance premium.  We talked about how speeding tickets, DWI's, DUI's, and other traffic violations can increase your insurance premium and eventually could lead to your insurance company dropping you all together. This is a prime example of your actions leading to consequences and how you will need to take responsibility for the decisions and choices you make as a young adult and eventually an adult.

Responsible decision-making is simply the ability to make good choices based on curiosity and open-mindedness.  We should be able to identify and solve problems by analyzing situations.  Our decisions should be based on honesty and fairness.  I am encouraging responsible decision-making in my classroom because it is embedded in the math content I am teaching.  Math lends itself very well to teaching problem-solving skills and analyzing situations.  Besides the math content, responsible decision-making exists in my classroom each day.   I encourage my students to make good choices and remind them there are consequences for their actions.    For example, students make a decision each night about completing their homework with integrity.  They should be doing their homework to learn and prepare for assessments, not just to get it done. 

The ability to make good, healthy choices and decisions. 

I read a lot of stories to help model good decision-making. After taking Nicole Gerardo's Thrivers class, I realized how important it is to support curiosity and the positive impact it has on responsible decision-making. 

Being able to make responsible decision-making skills requires us to be able to understand the consequences of our actions, identify solutions to problems, and be able to use critical thinking skills.  I encourage my students to be responsible decision-makers by encouraging them to think critically about how their choices today will affect them in the future.  We talk about the consequences of not doing one’s homework or being absent a lot will have the consequence of one’s grade being lower than it should be.