Go back See all

    Open-Mindedness

    from
    Assign Activity

    At a Glance:

    Grades:1, 2
    Subject:SEL (Social-Emotional Learning)
    Topic:Flexibility, Perseverance, Growth Mindset
    Lesson Length:45 mins - 1 hour

    Standards / Framework:

    What will students learn in this activity?

    Students will illustrate how they did or could play a game that they did not know before. 

    What should students know before this activity?

    Students should be prepared to explain the rules and/or objectives of the game they'll write about.

    How can teachers introduce this lesson?

    • Ask students:
      • “Has anyone ever played _______ before?”
      • “How can you show good sportsmanship when playing a game?”
      • “What emotions might you feel when trying something new?”
      • “What does it mean to be open-minded?”

    What will students do?

    • Teach students how to play a game that has not been played in class before, e.g., Minefield, Minute to Win It, Flashcard Duel, Heads Up- Seven Up.
    • Give students time to play the game.
    • Have students reflect in a whole group discussion about what it was like to learn and play a new game.
    • Ask the class:
      • How did you feel when I said we were going to learn something new today?
      • What emotions did you feel when you started to play? 
      • Did your emotions change as we continued to play? 
      • What strategies did you use when the game became more difficult?
      • Were you open-minded today? How do you know?
    • Have students create a comic that illustrates how they did or could play the game.

    How can teachers wrap up the lesson?

    • Have students teach their chosen game to one another in small groups.
    • Have students reflect on how they felt when first learning, compared to how they feel when teaching the game to others.
    • Students will share their comics with a partner.
    • Share with the class that being open-minded helps your brain grow because you are willing to do something new and be flexible in your thinking. When you are open-minded, you practice curiosity and risk-taking.

    How can teachers differentiate this activity?

    • Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
    • Allow students to work in pairs or groups as needed.
    • Allow students to use the voiceover to read their comics aloud.
    • Provide students with a graphic organizer to plan or map out their experience playing the game. (Draw/Plan then Write, Sequence Chart, or Stop and Think)

    Related Resources:

    Related Content:

    Suggested Story Starters:

    Assign Activity

    Related Ideas

    The Power of Yet!

    Students will explore the power of “yet” and create a “Things We Can’t Do Yet!” comic.

    Simple Machines

    Students will demonstrate an understanding of simple machines and how they are used to make work easier.

    Water Cycle

    Students will demonstrate their understanding of the water (hydrologic) cycle by creating comics depicting and explaining each stage of the cycle.