CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Initiative - 6-Year-Old Steps Up After Axolotl Lab Lost Funds: “Not a Lot of People Get How Important It Is”

Initiative is recognizing what needs to be done and taking action without waiting for someone else to do it.

Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Responsibility
  • Good Citizenship
SEL Skills
  • Self-Management
  • Social Awareness
Academic Skills
  • Effective Problem-Solver
  • Self-Direction and Engagement

Definitions

Responsibility
  • Do what you are supposed to do. Try your best.
  • Persevere. Keep on trying.
  • Be self-disciplined.
  • Think before you act. Consider the consequences.
  • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes
Good Citizenship
  • Do your share to make your home, school, and community better.
  • Cooperate.
  • Stay informed. Vote.
  • Be a good neighbor.
  • Make choices that protect the safety and rights of others.
  • Protect the environment.
Self-Management 
Regulate emotions, attitudes, and actions, and resist negative emotions and impulses.
Social Awareness

Assess and be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others.

Effective Problem Solving

Make rational, ethical, and effective decisions to find the best solutions to problems.

Self-Direction and Engagement

Fully engaged in the educational process and connected to the school community.

Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.
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CBS News
The Ray Center at Drake University

Students will explore the meaning of initiative by identifying problems and taking action to solve them without being told exactly what to do. Through a collaborative challenge, students will practice leadership, problem-solving, and perseverance while learning that positive change often begins when someone takes the first step.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What does it mean to take initiative?
    • Initiative means seeing a need or opportunity and taking action instead of waiting for someone else to do it.
  • Have you ever seen a problem and decided to help without being asked?
  • Why do people sometimes wait for someone else to act?
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • What problem did Marianne notice in the video? 
  • What action did she take instead of waiting for someone else to solve the problem? 
  • What qualities did Marianne show when he decided to help? 
  • Have you ever seen a problem and decided to do something about it? What happened? 
  • How can one person’s actions encourage others to get involved and help?
materials

Activity Materials

  • Stuffed animal (or other item to save)
  • Tape
  • String
  • Paper
  • Popsicle sticks
  • Rubber bands
activity

Activity: Who Will Save the Day?

  1. Setup before students arrive by using tape to create a large lava zone on the floor. Place a stuffed animal in the center of the lava zone.
  2. Divide students into small teams of 3-4.
  3. Provide each team with the same materials:
    • String
    • Paper
    • Popsicle sticks
    • Tape
    • Rubber bands
  4. Tell students their challenge is to rescue the stuffed animal without stepping into the lava and that they may use any of the provided materials.
  5. After giving the instructions, step back and allow students to take ownership of the challenge.
  6. Depending on the developmental level of students and needs, you can offer some of the following suggestions to help guide their team to take initiative:
    • Students work together to brainstorm possible solutions.
    • Encourage teams to assign roles if they choose, but do not require it.
    • Students design, test, and revise rescue tools using the available materials.
    • If a plan fails, students should discuss what happened and make adjustments.
  7. Continue until teams successfully rescue the stuffed animal or time expires.
  8. Follow-up questions:
    • Who took initiative during your team’s challenge?
    • What actions showed initiative?
    • Did anyone begin problem-solving without waiting for directions?
    • What happened when an idea did not work the first time?
    • How did your team adapt and keep going?
    • Why is initiative important when solving problems?
  1.  
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • Describe a time when you took initiative to help someone.
  • What is one thing you can do this week without being asked?
  • How did your team show initiative during the challenge?

6-12

  • Reflect on a situation where you saw a problem and took action.
  • What prevents people from taking initiative, and how can those obstacles be overcome?
  • How can initiative help you achieve your goals at school and in life?
family connection

Family Connection

Educators: Copy the Family Connection and email it to parents or click here to download a PDF version to email or print.

Watch

Discuss

Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about initiative.

  • When have you seen a family member take initiative?
  • Why is it important not to wait for others to solve every problem?
  • How can taking initiative help a family work better together?

Activity

  • Complete an Initiative Challenge as a family. Each family member identifies one task or need around the house and completes it without being asked.
  • At the end of the day, share what you noticed, what action you took, and how your initiative helped others.

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