Right or Wrong? Making Tough Choices
Learning Goals:
- Learn new words about right and wrong, good and bad choices.
- Talk about difficult decisions and what makes something ethical.
- Read about a famous ethical problem.
- Listen to a conversation about ethics and self-driving cars.
- Write about a time you had to make a difficult decision.
Key Words:
- Ethics: The study of what is right and wrong.
- Morality: A personal belief about what is good and bad behavior.
- Dilemma: A situation where you have to choose between two difficult options.
- Consequence: What happens as a result of a decision.
- Values: Important beliefs that guide how you live your life.
Let’s Talk About It!
- Can you think of a time when you had to make a difficult decision? What did you choose? Why?
- What are some things that help you decide if something is right or wrong? (Consider things like laws, religious beliefs, your own feelings.)
- Do you think everyone has the same ideas about what is right and wrong? Why or why not?
Let’s Read!
Imagine a runaway train is heading towards five people stuck on the tracks. You can pull a lever to switch the train to a different track, but there’s one person on that track. What would you do? This is a famous thought experiment called “The Trolley Problem.” There is no easy answer!
Questions About the Reading:
- What is the Trolley Problem?
- What are the two choices you can make?
- Which choice do you think is the best? Why?
Listen and Learn!
(Teacher plays a short conversation about self-driving cars and how they might have to make difficult decisions in the future. Focus on words like “decision,” “choice,” and “responsibility.”)
Talk with a Partner!
One of you is a superhero. The other is a supervillain. Discuss your different ideas about what is right and wrong.
Example:
- Superhero: “I believe in protecting innocent people, even if it means sacrificing myself.”
- Supervillain: “I think it’s more important to achieve my goals, even if some people get hurt along the way.”
Homework:
Write a short story about a time you had to make a difficult decision. Explain the situation, your choices, and what happened. What did you learn from the experience?
Extra Fun:
If you can, find an online quiz or game about ethics and morality. Take it with a partner and see if you agree on the answers!
