A Lesson Plan from Life Planning Education: A Youth Development Program (Chapter Two)

NOTE:  Life Planning Education (LPE) is currently being revised. The printed/for-sale version includes an older version of this lesson plan. Please make sure you have looked at the PDF of Life Planning Education before purchasing - that is the version that is available to buy.

Leader's Resource for the lesson plan, Values and Decisions.

José’s Dilemma

José’s family has been planning a big reunion to celebrate his grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary. José has been looking forward to seeing his cousins and other extended family who live far away. He knows his grandparents are eagerly awaiting the event and particularly want the entire family to be present.

The week before the reunion, José’s best friend, Anthony, invites José to accompany his family on a very special vacation to the ocean. José has never seen the ocean and he enjoys Anthony’s family. He knows this is a chance of a lifetime and that he would have a great time. But if he goes to the ocean, he’ll miss the family reunion. José’s parents say that he can decide.

How would you advise José to choose between Option A (family reunion) or Option B (beach with Anthony)?

Patricia’s Dilemma

Patricia is in her last year of secondary school. Last year, the senior class had an unauthorized ‘Senior Skip Day’. Most of the class cut school and went to out for a game day at the local park. Those who cut classes got in trouble with the administration; but they also said it was worth it. Patricia’s friends plan to skip classes one day this year. They want her to come along. Patricia knows she’d have a great time. But she also knows that the planned day falls during a week of important reviews for her final exams. She really wants to do well on the exams because if she scores high enough, she may be accepted to the college she especially wants to attend. Patricia knows that the review on ‘skip day’ is really important. Also, she doesn’t want to get in trouble, because her parents will be very angry.

How would you advise Patricia to choose between Option A (skip day) or Option B (attending the exam review)?

Leon’s Dilemma

Leon has been working for the car repair shop for one year. He has just finished the hardest year of his apprenticeship and has received a small raise in salary. He really values the man who owns the repair shop because he has taught him a great deal and also been a good boss. Another one of the apprentices, Moise, is a special friend of Leon’s. They really like to hang out at lunch time and laugh and joke around. Moise wasn’t given a raise at the end of the year because he kept making the same mistakes instead of learning from them. The boss was really stern with him about improving his performance or losing his apprenticeship. Now Moise is angry. He has stolen some supplies from the car repair shop. He said it was to make up for the raise he should have gotten. He is also planning to steal an old motorcycle and sell it. Leon knows that stealing is wrong. If he reports Moise, the apprentice might even go to jail and he would certainly lose his job. But Moise is his friend. If he doesn’t report Moise, he’s condoning a crime and may be blamed, too. Also, he really respects the boss and doesn’t want the car repair business to suffer.

How would you advise Leon to choose between Option A (telling the boss) or Option B (keeping his mouth shut)?

Life Planning Education, Advocates for Youth, Updated 200