Initiative Board Game

Topic: Taking Initiative

Empowerment Lesson Video: Taking Initiative

Supplies:

Pages 1-2 of the Initiative Boardgame Printables document, one copy per team
Pens or pencils
Markers, crayons, etc. for decorating
Dice, one per team
A variety of game pieces such as buttons, bottle caps, etc., four per team

Video Discussion:

Ask students if they have ever heard the phrase “taking initiative”.

Have students turn and talk to a partner or small group to explain what they know about taking initiative or when they have heard the phrase.

Allow students to share their thoughts with the class and work together to come to a class definition for “taking initiative”.

Tell students they will be watching the video Taking Initiative. Explain that the video presents role models talking about the power of taking initiative and creating opportunities.

Use some or all of the following questions to review the video content and prepare students for the activity:

Is it better to take initiative or to “sit back and let the world happen to you”?
Can you think of a time in your life when you took initiative? What happened?
Why is it powerful to take initiative? How can it impact your life?
Can you be successful without taking initiative? Explain your answer.
A friend tells you that she’s afraid to take initiative. What advice might you give her?

Activity Instructions:

Students will practice taking initiative by identifying problems related to an important topic and brainstorming creative solutions. By thinking critically and coming up with ways to address these issues, students will learn how small actions can lead to big changes. This activity encourages problem-solving and proactive thinking.

Today, you’ll choose a topic, such as climate change, and brainstorm 10 related problems and 10 possible solutions. Identifying real-life problems and brainstorming solutions is the first step in taking initiative to create positive change in your community and beyond!

Instructor Notes: Divide students into teams of four. Distribute the Initiative Boardgame Printables document pages 1-2, one copy per team. Review the example “Climate Change” boardgame handout with students as an example.

Gather the materials you will need to create your board game such as pens, pencils, and markers.
Work with your team to complete the Problems and Solutions handout.
Follow the instructions for board set up given at the bottom of the Problems and Solutions handout.
Once every team has completed their board game, take turns playing your own game and the games created by other groups.
As you play other teams’ games, take note of the different problems and solutions they came up with. Taking initiative means recognizing challenges and actively working towards solutions—just like you’ve done in this activity. Share your solution ideas with friends and family and keep thinking of ways you can make a difference in your own community.