Students will participate in an activity where they will have to rely on the caring and trustworthiness of their peers and then discuss why those character skills can help others feel safe.

Materials/Preparation

• Blindfolds (one per two students)
• A large space free of obstacles

Instructions

• Put students in pairs. (This activity could also work with students in groups of three or four.)
• Ask students to put a blindfold on their partner and then take their place about 15 feet ahead of their blindfolded partner.
• When the blindfolded student says go, their partner should slowly walk up to their partner. When the blindfolded partner believes the approaching student is close (perhaps within reaching distance), they should say “stop.” When the partner stops, the blindfolded student can remove the blindfold and discover their partner’s location.
• (Optional variation) Allow the sighted player to approach their partners from any direction.
• Trade places until all students have had a couple of chances to be the blindfolded participant.
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Discussion Prompts

• Ask students:
  • How did you feel when you were blindfolded?
  • How did it feel when you were sighted?
  • In which role did you feel in more control of the situation?
  • What kind of emotions do you feel when someone else is in more control or has more power?
  • How does this activity relate to trustworthiness and caring?
  • Why is it important to be trustworthy and caring when you’re in charge or acting as a leader?

Journal Prompts

What other character skills are important for being a leader?