Think for Yourself: A Kid's Guide to Solving Life's Dilemmas and Other Sticky Problems

Have you noticed in this day and time that kids get fussed at for their poor choices, but rarely does anyone take time to have a conversation about the choices and consequences. This book is a collection of short reading passages, 2-3 pages each, that start out nice and positive giving you just what you need to know, and then the main character has a dilemma. One decision the characater could make would solve the problem, but it's unethical, and the other solution is ethical, but it doesn't exactly solve the problem. I am using the stories as a read aloud and having students think of the choices, what makes the choices helpful or hurtful, and what would they consider doing alternately. As a follow-up, students complete a QUICK write to respond or describe a time when this type of situation happened to them. The resource is great in that it provides a vehicle for shared reading, ethical and critical thinking, discussion, and writing. And the entire lesson can take place in 20 minutes. I highly recommend for a valuable collection of short reads.