How Am I Affecting Myself and Others?
Keystone Economic Principle #3 – All choices have consequences
Click here for a printable PDF version of this Monthly Teaching Theme Assessment
(Secondary Grades)
Name _________________________________
School ________________________________
Date _________________
Grade _________________________________
I. Decision Grid
1. Use the following scenario to fill out the decision grid below with the choices that have been provided.
Scenario: You are a high school student entering your junior year. So far you have not given your best effort and are receiving average to below average grades. After participating in a career day sponsored by your school, you began imagining yourself entering into the Culinary Arts career pathway. However, currently your grades are not good enough to be admitted into the program.
| Choices | Benefits: Short Term |
Benefits: Long Term |
Costs: Short Term |
Costs: Long Term |
| Continue to not give best effort; get average to below average grades | ||||
| Give best effort; complete homework, study for tests, improve grade point average |
2. Use the decision grid below to make a decision about a current or past problem or issue you face or have faced in your life.
The issue or problem is:
_____________________________________________________
| Choices | Benefits: Short Term |
Benefits: Long Term |
Costs: Short Term |
Costs: Long Term |
The solution I have chosen is
________________________________________________
Because
_________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
II. Vocabulary
Match each word with its definition
____ 2. Consequence
____ 3. Short-term costs
____ 4. Long-term costs
____ 5. Unintended consequences
a. The unexpected and unplanned results of a decision or action.
b. The costs of a decision that occurs in the more distant future.
c. A result or effect of an action or decision; may be positive or negative.
d. The costs of a decision that occur in the present or near future.
III. Understanding Concepts:
Scenario #1 – John went to the used car dealer and purchased a red 1998 used car. The dealer gave him a great deal on the price. John was so happy with his new purchase especially because the price was right. Two weeks later the car was in for extensive repairs to the transmission. John did not realize the particular car he purchased is well known for having a bad transmission.
6. What was the main factor John considered when deciding to purchase the
car?
7. What was the unintended consequence of his purchase?
Scenario #2 – Jennifer decided that she really wanted to get a puppy for Christmas. She was really excited about having something to take care of and love. She talked to her parents and explained to them that she was old enough and was responsible enough to feed, water, walk and care for a puppy. Her parents agreed and got her a puppy. Jennifer worked very hard to make sure the puppy was well cared for. One day she came home to find that the puppy had chewed through her expensive doll collection.
8. What was the main factor Jennifer considered when deciding to get a puppy?
9. What consequences was Jennifer prepared to handle?
10. What was the unintended consequence of getting a puppy?
IV. Relevancy:
11. Where do you see yourself using the information you learned about choices
and consequences?
12. Please rate the impact that studying about choices and consequences has
had on your life. Circle the number below:
0 – No Impact
1 – A little impact
2 – Moderate amount of impact – I might consider it
3 – Quite a bit of impact – I see how it fits and
appreciated learning about it
4 – Great Impact – I understand how important it is
to my life and will use the information I learned