Invidious Choices

Based on Brookfield's Crisis Decision Situation, this exercise prompts three critical thinking processes: contextual awareness, imaginative speculation and assumption analysis. Additionally, it supports decision-making in awkward or stressful situations. 

Options to try:

• write with friends or colleagues, each of you taking a different side;
• add a 5-minute time limit to increase the challenge!

One pupil must receive 'Star of the Week', from the shortlist below. Pick the nomination you support the least, but write the most persuasive, unequivocally supportive statement for it.

• A male student who finally completed and handed-in their English homework, for the first time this year
• The first (and only) female student to join the school Chess Club
• A student whose parents (you recently learned) are in the process of separating
• A female student, on the suggestion of the head teacher, for her mum's contribution to the Summer Fete cake stall

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Brookfield, S. (1990) The Skillful Teacher. California: Jossey-Bass, pp. 117-118.