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Justifying My Choice

This support material is incorporated into critical challenges at Kindergarten and grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12, however, it can be adapted for use at all grade levels.

The Justifying My Choice charts help students justify a conclusion about the better or best option to choose or position to hold. For example, students might consider which of three possible groups would be the best one for them to join or which position on a continuum is most reasonable. The following documents can be adapted and re-saved for your needs.

Reporting My Decision 
To use this chart, students:

• draw a picture of and label their choice of best option
• offer a reason for their selection.

Assessing the Choice 
An assessment rubric is available for this chart.

Advantages and Disadvantages 
To use this chart, students:

• indicate which option has the greater (greatest) merit
• record the other option(s) considered
• provide reasons for their choice and reasons why the other possibility (possibilities) has some merit
• explain why they think the reasons for their preferred choice are more important.

Assessing the Reasons 
An assessment rubric is available for this chart.

My Position on the Issue 
To use this chart, students:

• indicate their position on a continuum (from definitely for to definitely against)
• provide justification for their position and reasons why someone might hold a different position
• explain why they think their position is more reasonable.

Assessing the Reasons 
An assessment rubric is available for this chart.

Credits

Adapted from Critical Challenges Across the Curriculum series. Permission granted by The Critical Thinking Consortium for use by Alberta teachers.