OBJECTIVE:
Play games, music, and have fun while building cohort camaraderie.
REQUIRED PREP:
Transform your room – Next Gen sessions should be different from typical classes — change the atmosphere of your classroom and get ready for your first session!
Opening - 5 mins max
Goal: Conduct the cohort ritual and mood check.
Opening Huddle: Feel free to play music to generate energy and set the vibe!
Opening Ritual: Conduct your opening ritual!
Mood Check: Gather the students into a circle (standing or sitting – keep comfort in mind)!
Activity 1: Silent Order - 25 minutes
Goal: Build cohort camaraderie by having fun!
- Lead your cohort to complete the following icebreaker to get to better get to know each other and to welcome new members to the cohort.
- Have your cohort to stand in a line, with respect to certain characteristics. For instance, you can ask all the teens to stand as per their shoe size. So, the participant with the smallest shoe size will be first in line, whereas, the one with the largest will stand last. The twist here is that they have to arrange themselves in a particular order without talking to each other.
Activity 2: Mission Statement/Word of the Year - 25 mins
- Each student chooses one word that represents what they want this school year to be about (ex: “Growth,” “Courage,” “Focus”).
- They can decorate index cards with it and post on the wall as a collective “vision board.”
Closing - 5 mins
Closing Huddle:
- End by collectively performing your exit ritual!
- Remind students of the next session!
