Ask better decision questions
Help students slow down by naming the situation, hurdles, outcomes, options, support, evaluation, and resolution.
Tool
The CHOOSER Method
A simple decision-making tool that helps students and teams ask better questions, make clearer choices, and explain why.
Best for
- Classroom
- Student Teams
- Decision-Making
- Learning Sprints
Use During
- Refine
- Plan
- Check-In
- Review
- Retrospect
What it helps with
Make thinking visible
Give teams a shared structure for seeing what they know, what is hard, and what help they need.
Resolve with a reason
Turn scattered opinions into a choice students can explain.
Preview the tool
When to use it
- When students need to choose a project direction, solution, topic, or next step.
- When a team has multiple ideas and no clear way to decide.
- When prioritizing items in a learning backlog or planning group work.
- During Plan when students are selecting work or commitments.
- During Check-In when a team needs to adjust course.
- During Retrospect when students are choosing what to improve next.
- During PLCs or coaching conversations when adults need clarity on a shared decision.
The seven CHOOSER questions
The template walks students through seven prompts before they resolve a choice.
Context
What is the current situation surrounding this decision?
Hurdles
What obstacles are in the way, and what makes this choice hard?
Outcomes
What do you want to achieve with this decision?
Options
What possible paths could you take?
Support
What resources, advice, or knowledge do you need?
Evaluate
How do the options measure up against your desired outcomes?
Resolve
What choice are you making, and why?
How it works
Name the context.
Describe the current situation surrounding the decision.
Surface the hurdles.
Identify what makes the choice hard.
Clarify outcomes.
Name what the student or team wants to achieve.
List options.
Put possible paths on the table before deciding.
Identify support.
Name the advice, resources, or knowledge needed.
Evaluate the options.
Compare options against the outcomes that matter.
Resolve the choice.
State the decision and why it makes sense.
Why the CHOOSER Method works
Students often need practice making decisions, not just permission to choose. The CHOOSER Method gives them seven prompts for slowing down, naming what matters, and explaining why a choice makes sense. It also helps teams collaborate. When each question is answered together, students can disagree more productively and move forward with a shared reason for the choice.
Skills & Alignment
This resource supports decision-making, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and self-management. These are suggested connections, not a formal standards alignment.
IB Learner Profile
- Thinkers
- Communicators
- Principled
- Open-minded
IB Approaches to Learning
- Thinking skills
- Communication skills
- Social skills
- Self-management skills
21st Century Skills
- Critical thinking
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Decision-making
- Adaptability
Inquiry Practices
- Questioning
- Decision framing
- Evidence use
- Reflection
- Revision
What's included
- A downloadable CHOOSER Method template with examples for helping students and teams ask better questions, make decisions, and explain their choice.
Related resources
Ready to make student choices clearer?
Download the free CHOOSER Method and help students ask better questions, make decisions, and explain their choice.
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