I Did It Without Thinking (Scholastic Choices)
Scholastic Choices Series
on Goodreads (38)
What’s inside...
Talking to teens about impulsive decisions that lead to consequences. This book discusses how impulsive decisions made by teenagers can have unforeseen consequences, describing such situations as dropping out of school, setting a fire, teenage pregnancy, saving someone from drowning, getting a tattoo, and helping the homeless.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
11-12
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the characters to make their decisions?
How do you feel about the consequences faced by the characters in the story?
Can you think of a time when you faced a similar situation? What did you do?
What would you have done differently if you were in the character's place?
How can we learn from the mistakes that the characters made?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, use a calm and curious tone to encourage open communication.
Relate the scenarios in the book to real-life events that your child might encounter.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story by asking them how it relates to their own experiences.
Praise your child for their insights and understanding, reinforcing positive thinking and critical analysis.
End your discussion with a reflective question about what your child can take away from the story to apply in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the impact of impulsive actions
Explanation: The book provides various scenarios where characters make decisions without thinking, which lead to unintended consequences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think before they act, understanding that their actions can affect themselves and others.
Example Lesson: Responsibility for one's actions
Explanation: Characters in the book face the outcomes of their decisions, which illustrates the importance of taking responsibility.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to own up to their actions and understand the role of personal responsibility in daily life.
Example Lesson: Empathy and considering others
Explanation: Through character interactions, the book highlights the importance of considering how one's actions affect others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by being mindful of their peers' feelings and learning to anticipate the impact their actions might have on others.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: The narrative follows characters as they learn and grow from the repercussions of their impulsive choices.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to view mistakes as learning opportunities, helping them to develop resilience and a growth mindset.