Kim Petras signing on a stage with rainbow decorations and a disco ball, in front of the US Capitol building

Advisory Lesson

The Future Starts Now: Assessing Risk

How can learning to assess risk and manage our emotions help us make better decisions?

How to Use This Lesson

This is a Harmony Student Wellness lesson, a week-long, music-centered social-emotional learning lesson designed to be taught across multiple sessions, culminating in an arts-based project. This lesson can be taught in isolation or as part of the larger Harmony Student Wellness program. For more support on implementation, see the Implementation Guide on the program page.

Essential Question

How can learning to assess risk and manage our emotions help us make better decisions?

Objectives

Mastery Objective

Students will be able to assess the risk associated with a decision by reflecting on their goals, regulating their emotions, and thinking critically about the situation.

Day 1 - Students will:

Listen to “Risky” by Elaine
Define risk
Consider why assessing risk is an important part of decision-making

Day 2 - Students will:

Listen to “Future Starts Now” by Kim Petras
Consider the relationship between risk assessment and future goals
Reflect on goals and potential risks

Day 3 - Students will:

Listen to “Yo Aprendí” by Danay Suárez
Understand how emotions affect decision-making
Try a strategy for regulating emotions

Day 4 - Students will:

Listen to “You’ve Got Time” by Regina Spektor
Identify questions that can help them assess risk
Consider why people might sometimes make decisions quickly and sometimes get stuck

Arts-Based Activity - Students will:

Reflect on risk and risk assessment
Apply their understanding of risk and decision-making to game design and storytelling

Background

In this lesson, students will learn how to assess risks so they can make decisions mindfully. First, students will develop a shared understanding of what risk is. They will reflect on their goals and consider how risks can impact achieving goals. They will learn how emotions impact decision-making, practice strategies for emotional regulation, and learn some questions they can ask themselves when assessing the risk associated with a decision.

Disclaimers

Throughout this lesson, there will be discussion of possible negative outcomes. Assure students that it is not meant to scare them out of taking risks or making decisions. By thinking critically and understanding what outcomes are possible, we can still choose to take risks that we feel are worthwhile or are unlikely to harm us. This discussion is meant to encourage mindful decision-making, not fear and withdrawal. Be mindful of students' attitudes and anxieties, and bring nuance to the discussions as needed throughout the week.