- Give your class the following challenge: Figure out how to improve the environment of this classroom and then implement the plan. (Note that you may wish to limit the task to changes that students could accomplish within a limited number of class periods.)
- Have students brainstorm a list of specific things students could do that would make a difference in the classroom environment.
- Have the class evaluate suggestions to ensure that each idea is realistic; eliminate suggestions that are unrealistic (e.g., because of costs, time, or skills that would be required).
- Divide the class into small groups to accomplish specific tasks. Realistic tasks might include the following:
- Straightening up the room and throwing away trash and old papers
- Rearranging or redesigning bulletin boards
- Making or buying new posters
- Painting a mural or timeline
- Washing windows
- Bringing in plants
- After groups have accomplished their specific tasks, ask groups to evaluate their own (and possibly other) group efforts.
- Ask groups to rate their performance according to the following:
- How well they organized themselves to accomplish the task.
- How systematic they were in accomplishing the task; if they completed subtasks in the appropriate sequence
- How well they paced their efforts (if applicable to a task accomplished over a number of days)
- How much effort they put into the task
- How well group members cooperated with each other and maintained self-control
- To what degree did they persisted in completing the task despite obstacles or frustrations
- The quality of the final product or improvement
- Whether or not they completed the task within the stated deadline
- Have groups describe how they might do their tasks differently if they were to do them again.
Return to: Lesson 5: Obstacle Course
Go to: Part 1: Hard Work