Grade 6 · SEL · Lesson 34

Ethical dilemmas and scenarios

An ethical dilemma is a moment when two reasonable values pull against each other and there is no easy answer. You can keep a friend happy OR tell the truth. You can avoid trouble OR speak up for someone being teased. Real life is full of these moments. Strong character is not about never feeling the pull — it is about pausing, thinking through the principles that matter, and choosing on purpose instead of just reacting.

What this lesson teaches

1Recognize an ethical dilemma as a moment when two reasonable values pull against each other
2Run a choice through the four-question filter — legal, kind, fair, honest — before acting
3Weigh the harm, the kindness and the fairness of each option in a short scenario
4Choose a specific action and explain the principle that shaped the decision

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