Responsible Decision-Making | Social Emotional Learning
Mini-Lesson: Avoiding a YES Mess

This mini-lesson uses the beloved story Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems to teach children about responsible decision-making.

Just as readers must resist the Pigeon’s persistent pleading throughout the book, students will learn a simple three-step process—Avoiding A YES Mess—for making safe and appropriate choices, even when someone is trying very hard to convince them otherwise.

Through discussion, real-world scenarios, and role-play, children practice the important skill of saying “no” when necessary and understanding that responsible decisions sometimes mean disappointing others—but keeping everyone safe.

Learning Objective

Students will identify the steps of responsible decision-making and practice saying “no” to requests that aren’t safe or appropriate.

 

Materials

Part 1: Read-Aloud and Discussion (5-7 minutes)

Watch the YouTube video or read the book “Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus” by Mo Willems to students.

Key Questions:

  • Why does the Pigeon want to drive the bus so badly?
  • What are some of the reasons the Pigeon gives to try to convince us?
  • Was it a good idea to let the Pigeon drive the bus? Why or why not?
  • What could happen if the Pigeon drove the bus?

Introduce the Decision-Making Steps to Avoid a “YES Mess”:

  1. There are three questions you can ask yourself to help you make the choices that are best for you to do:
    • Could anyone (including me) get hurt if I choose this?
    • Could I get into trouble if I get caught doing this?
    • Could anything bad happen if I make this choice?

    If you can answer YES to any of these questions, you are in a YES Mess. That means that you are not making the best choice.

     

Part 2: Practice Activity – “Should We Let Them?” (8-10 minutes)

Instructions: Read each scenario. Students give thumbs up (yes) or thumbs down (no), then explain their thinking using the decision-making steps.

Scenarios:

  1. Your friend really wants to play with your special toy that your parent said is only for you. Your friend says “Please, please, please! I’ll be your best friend!”
  2. Your little brother wants to help you make a snack, but he wants to use the sharp knife to cut the apple.
  3. A classmate asks if they can borrow your pencil for the writing activity.
  4. Someone at recess wants you to go out the playground gate and onto the street to get the ball at recess, even though you’re supposed to ask a grown-up.

Discussion Points:

  • Sometimes people try hard to convince us, just like the Pigeon!
  • Saying “no” doesn’t make you mean—it can keep everyone safe
  • It’s okay if someone feels disappointed by your answer

Part 3: Role-Play Extension (Optional, 5-8 minutes)

Students work in pairs. One student is the “Pigeon” making a request, the other practices:

  • Stopping and thinking
  • Asking questions
  • Making a responsible choice
  • Staying firm even if the “Pigeon” keeps asking

Sample scenarios:

  • Can I copy your homework?
  • Let’s skip cleanup time and keep playing!
  • Can I see your tablet/device during quiet reading?

Download the Avoid A YES Mess worksheet for more scenarios and follow-up discussion starters. Write them on a whiteboard or chalkboard for students to read, or call them out one at a time.

 

Closing (2 minutes)

Reflection Question: “When might it be hard to make a responsible decision, even when you know the right answer?”

Key Takeaway: Making responsible decisions means thinking carefully about what’s safe and right, not just what someone wants—even if they ask really, really nicely like the Pigeon!

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