OBJECTIVE:
Ensure students feel welcomed and connect to their cohort and the program.
REQUIRED PREP:
Teacher: – 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 Huddle (5 mins):
Goal: Conduct the cohort ritual and mood check.
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: Connecting Through Stories (20 mins)
Mentors: Facilitate the following activities, “Would You Rather”
Afterwards, allow students to identify a statement that they may have wrestled with.
- Get banned from TikTok or Instagram?
- Get caught starting a rumor or have a rumor started about you?
- Have emotional conversations with your friends every day or not be able to talk to them at all?
- Miss prom or graduation?
- Take advice from your 10-year-old self or your 90-year-old self?
- Land your dream job with no pay, or get a high-paying job you hate?
- Have a stable 9-5 job or work as a freelancer?
- Love each other and not be related by blood or be related by blood and dislike each other?
- Be a bad person who looks beautiful or a nice person who looks unattractive?
- A friend who is always honest, even if it might hurt your feelings, or who is always kind, even if it means not telling the truth?
- A friend who is dependable or one who is spontaneous and unpredictable?
- Be the loudest or quietest person in the room?
- Have more time or more money?
- Experience true love or true happiness?
- Have the ability to heal people’s physical wounds or heal people’s emotional wounds?
Activity 2: This year will be...
Teacher: As a group, look up the definition of “values” and “beliefs”. Discuss the differences and similarities between the two.
Afterwards, have students take out a sheet of paper and give the following instructions:
- Create a list of 5-10 values and/or beliefs.
- List them in priority order of importance.
*Play some music and encourage students to take this activity seriously.
Discuss the following questions:
- Are you willing to compromise any of your values?
- How do your values adapt and evolve over time, and how does this contribute to your personal growth?
- Can you think of a situation where staying true to your values required making a difficult ethical choice?
- How do your values align with your long-term goals and aspirations?
- How do your values serve as a foundation for making decisions in various situations in your life?
- How do your values influence the types of relationships you form with others?
- Have you experienced stronger connections with people who share similar values?
- Can you recall a situation where staying true to your beliefs helped you overcome challenges?
- In what ways do your values shape your identity and self-expression?
Closing Huddle
- End by collectively performing your exit ritual!
- Remind students of the next session!
