Activity Overview
Students don't typically get positive praise for every good decision they make. When they take a step back and reflect on their good decisions, it will reinforce them to continue their behaviors. Additionally, having students share with the class will allow others to look at what their peers are doing each day. The goal of this is to support a positive decision making environment.
In this activity, students will make a five cell storyboard all about positive decisions. The first two cells should depict things they have done the day before. The middle cell should show what they will do or have done today. Finally, the last two cells should show what they should decide tomorrow. This will help them paint a positive picture of themselves and mimic goal setting for the future.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard showing some of the positive decisions you made yesterday, made already today, and what you’ll decide to do tomorrow!
- Click "Start Assignment".
- List in the first two title boxes what you have decided to do positively yesterday starting with “Yesterday I…”.
- List in the third title box what you will decide or have decided to do positively today starting with “Today I…”.
- List in the last two title boxes what you will decide to do positively tomorrow starting with “Tomorrow I…”.
- Create a visual example of each positive decision using a combination of appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yesterday's Decisions | The cells used exemplary school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to depict two examples of positive decisions made. Titles reinforce decision. | The cells used adequate school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to depict two examples of positive decisions made. Titles reinforce decision. | The cell used inappropriate scenes, characters, and text in one or more cells. Titles do not indicate the decision. |
| Today's Decisions | The cell used exemplary school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to depict an example of a positive decision that was made or will be made today. | The cell used adequate school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to depict an example of a positive decision that was made or will be made today. | The cell used an inappropriate scene, characters, and text in the cell. The title does not indicate the decision. |
| Tomorrow's Decisions | The cells used exemplary school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to depict two examples of positive decisions that will be made. Titles reinforce decision. | The cells used adequate school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to depict two examples of positive decisions that will be made. Titles reinforce decision. | The cell used inappropriate scenes, characters, and text in one or more cells. Titles do not indicate the decision. |
| Use of Conventions | There are few to no grammar or spelling mistakes. | There are some grammar or spelling mistakes, but understanding of content is clear. | There are too many grammar or spelling mistakes, creating an unclear understanding of content. |
Activity Overview
Students don't typically get positive praise for every good decision they make. When they take a step back and reflect on their good decisions, it will reinforce them to continue their behaviors. Additionally, having students share with the class will allow others to look at what their peers are doing each day. The goal of this is to support a positive decision making environment.
In this activity, students will make a five cell storyboard all about positive decisions. The first two cells should depict things they have done the day before. The middle cell should show what they will do or have done today. Finally, the last two cells should show what they should decide tomorrow. This will help them paint a positive picture of themselves and mimic goal setting for the future.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard showing some of the positive decisions you made yesterday, made already today, and what you’ll decide to do tomorrow!
- Click "Start Assignment".
- List in the first two title boxes what you have decided to do positively yesterday starting with “Yesterday I…”.
- List in the third title box what you will decide or have decided to do positively today starting with “Today I…”.
- List in the last two title boxes what you will decide to do positively tomorrow starting with “Tomorrow I…”.
- Create a visual example of each positive decision using a combination of appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yesterday's Decisions | The cells used exemplary school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to depict two examples of positive decisions made. Titles reinforce decision. | The cells used adequate school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to depict two examples of positive decisions made. Titles reinforce decision. | The cell used inappropriate scenes, characters, and text in one or more cells. Titles do not indicate the decision. |
| Today's Decisions | The cell used exemplary school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to depict an example of a positive decision that was made or will be made today. | The cell used adequate school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to depict an example of a positive decision that was made or will be made today. | The cell used an inappropriate scene, characters, and text in the cell. The title does not indicate the decision. |
| Tomorrow's Decisions | The cells used exemplary school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to depict two examples of positive decisions that will be made. Titles reinforce decision. | The cells used adequate school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to depict two examples of positive decisions that will be made. Titles reinforce decision. | The cell used inappropriate scenes, characters, and text in one or more cells. Titles do not indicate the decision. |
| Use of Conventions | There are few to no grammar or spelling mistakes. | There are some grammar or spelling mistakes, but understanding of content is clear. | There are too many grammar or spelling mistakes, creating an unclear understanding of content. |
How Tos about Making Positive Decisions
Encourage Students to Recognize Positive Decisions in Their Peers
Promote peer recognition to help students see and celebrate good choices made by classmates. This builds a supportive classroom culture and reinforces positive behaviors for everyone.
Set Up a Weekly 'Shout-Out' Board
Create a dedicated space where students can write or post notes about a classmate’s positive decision. This makes recognition visible and ongoing, boosting morale.
Model Giving Specific Praise
Demonstrate how to give clear, specific praise by highlighting exactly what positive decision was made and its impact. Students learn to notice and acknowledge details, not just general good behavior.
Facilitate a Quick Sharing Circle
Host a brief daily or weekly circle where students can verbally share one positive decision they noticed in a peer. This builds confidence in both sharing and receiving recognition.
Reflect Together on the Impact
Guide students in a short discussion about how peer recognition affects the classroom. This helps them connect the value of positive decisions to a happier, more supportive learning environment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Making Positive Decisions
What is a positive decision-making storyboard activity for students?
A positive decision-making storyboard activity asks students to illustrate and reflect on good choices they made in the past, present, and plan for the future, helping reinforce positive behaviors and encourage goal setting.
How can teachers help students reflect on positive decisions in class?
Teachers can encourage students to share their positive choices through storyboards or class discussions, fostering self-reflection and creating a supportive environment where positive actions are recognized.
What are the steps to create a positive decisions storyboard for grades 5-6?
Students should: 1) List two positive decisions from yesterday, 2) Note one from today, 3) Plan two for tomorrow, and 4) Illustrate each with scenes and characters, creating a five-cell storyboard.
Why is it important for students to share their positive decisions with classmates?
Sharing positive decisions lets students learn from each other, reinforces good behaviors, and builds a classroom culture focused on making thoughtful choices.
How does reflecting on positive choices support social emotional learning?
Reflecting on positive choices helps students develop self-awareness, reinforces decision-making skills, and supports emotional growth as part of social emotional learning (SEL).
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