Tell students that “a stitch in time saves nine” is a maxim, or well-known saying. Ben Franklin first wrote this saying in Poor Richard’s Almanac. Ask students to explain what the maxim means.

Lead students to the understanding that it means that if we do things in a timely manner, we will save ourselves work.

Explain to students that the same is true for decisions. Ask for a show of hands from students who feel they often procrastinate when they make decisions. Explain that this is common. Ask students to suggest reasons why this happens. (Students might respond: people can’t make up their minds, they believe that there are going to be bad consequences no matter what.)

Explain that if people procrastinate as they make decisions, opportunities can be lost and the consequences can be serious. Explain to students that they will now have to make a timely decision.

Purpose: Students review the decision making process as they make their final decisions in the simulation.

1. Students review the decision making steps they have taken.

Distribute the folders to the groups.

Review with students the first four steps of the decision making process that you have covered so far:

1. Define the issue.
2. Gather information.
3. Develop alternatives.
4. Analyze the consequences.

Call on volunteers to name the steps. Ask each volunteer to explain what their group did while working on that step. As appropriate, ask what difficulties the groups faced as they worked and why those difficulties occurred.

2. Student groups make the final decision.

Explain to students that in today’s session they will decide which characters will be accepted into the fallout shelter.

Have students recall their assignment: they must choose four people who will not be allowed into the shelter. Remind them of the gravity of the situation—the six people they choose might be the only six people left to start the human race over again.

Allow students five minutes to make their decisions. Remind them to review the data, issues, and considerations they had gathered in order to make their decisions.

3. Groups prepare to present their decisions.

While students are working, write the following questions on the board:

• What critical issues and considerations did you have to take into account?
• Who did you choose to move into the fallout shelter?
• Why did you choose these people?

Explain to the groups that they will present their decisions and their reasoning to the entire class. Tell the class that each group will have two minutes for its presentation. Have each group select one or two spokespersons and allow them five minutes to organize their answers. Instruct students to address the specific questions above in their presentations.

Purpose: Students explain and defend their decisions.

1. Groups present their decisions to the class.

Distribute copies of the “Evaluating Fallout Shelter Decisions” activity sheet to each student. Then, call on each group to present its decision and explain its reasoning within two minutes.

2. Groups are questioned about their decisions.

After each presentation, allow a brief question and answer period, during which the class asks about and comments on the decision. Remind students that some groups may have different information because they asked the characters different questions.

If necessary, remind students about the importance of being respectful of other people’s decisions. Point out to students that some of the factors involved in the decision making process are a person’s personal beliefs and values. For that reason, even people who have the same information might make different decisions.

3. Students evaluate each group’s decision.

After each presentation and discussion, allow students several minutes to complete the activity sheet by rating the decisions and the justifications on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being extremely poor and 5 being outstanding.

Have students place all material, including the evaluations, into the group folders. Collect the folders.

Purpose: Students recognize that some decisions need to be modified and reflect on the decisions made by their groups.

1. Students have an opportunity to revisit their decisions.

Remind students that the last step of the decision making process is to revisit, revise, and modify decisions if necessary or if more information becomes available.

Ask students to respond to the following prompt in their journals: “Explain what you would change about or why you stand by your group’s decision.”

2. Students examine their own performance during the fallout shelter simulation.

Ask that students try to disregard the content of the activity and instead examine the process.

After several minutes, prompt students to consider how their experiences in this activity relate to their decision making processes in general. Ask the following questions and have students continue to write their responses in their journals:

• What influenced your decisions in this activity? What factors influence your decisions on a daily basis?
• What did you find difficult in this simulation? How does that compare with the decisions that you are faced with every day?
• What would have helped make the decision making process easier?
• If you were to do this again, what would you do differently? What do you think you did well?
• How will you use the decision making process in your life?
• Why is it important to understand how good decisions are made?

Ask students why following the decision making process is helpful. Ask students to explain why knowing how to make good decisions can help guide them in the future. Elicit from students the following key points that were taught in this lesson:

• Decisions must be made in a timely manner.
• Part of the decision making process is the opportunity to revisit and modify decisions we have made.