English

Oral Language 3.1, 4.1, 5.1

History/Social Science

Economics 3.9

So What Do You Want?

This activity focuses on the importance of making and defending quick choices concerning personal preferences.

Note 1: A helper is needed for this activity.

Note 2: This activity can be adapted to involve beliefs and values, political issues, or the difference between voting and consensus.

Steps To Complete the Activity

• Explain personal preferences by distinguishing them from important decisions that call for discussion with others and a search for information. These choices should not be influenced by the group, even if a person is alone in a particular preference.
• Have all students gather in the middle of the room. Teacher and helper stand on opposite sides of the room.
• Teacher and helper each hold up a card with a clearly delineated choice. For example, one card says chocolate and the other says vanilla, or one card says SUV (sport utility vehicle) and the other says convertible. Students must choose to go to one side or the other quickly.
• Have students meet again in the middle of the room and allow one student at a time to give one reason for his or her choice. Move to the next topic.

Discussion

• How hard is it to state your opinion in the group?
• What factors influence you to choose one item over another?

Materials

5- x 8-inch index cards

Resources

Cihak, Mary K., and Barbara J. Heron. Games Children Should Play. Glenview, IL: Good Year Books, 1980.