4.1 Step In

Photo by Sushil Nash on Unsplash

Skill Level

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Learner Outcomes

Discover how group members express themselves.
Explore what communication methods work for you.
Reflect upon what inspires us.

Life Skills

Critical thinking, communications, social skills, accepting differences, empathy, sharing, nurturing relationships, contribution to group, self-esteem, self-responsibility, managing feelings

Time

10 minutes (or keep it going as long as the group is interested)

Materials

None

Space

A space in which youth can gather in a circle and move around the circle

Introduction

In this activity, the group will gather in a circle and the facilitator will read a series of statements. After each statement, group members can “step in” to the circle and change their spot if the statement applies to them. The statements progress from lower to higher stakes of sharing and can surface some possible discomfort. It is important to pause after each statement is read since participants usually take a moment to see if anybody else is going to step in before deciding whether to step into the circle themselves.

From this activity, we hope youth take away that we all have different ways of expressing ourselves. Finding a way to express ourselves and sharing that expression with others can bring joy, and it can encourage authenticity and connection. In addition, we have different ways of communicating ideas and taking action. There is not a “right” way, except that it may be more suitable to us and our inclinations.

We encourage youth to reflect upon what inspires them and what turns that inspiration into action. We include a large number of statements below knowing that the facilitator will be sensitive to the dynamics of the group and chose the most appropriate statements. It is important not to engage in this as a laundry list to be read, but instead, to choose statements that fit your group.

Before the Activity

Read through the provided statements and choose up to 15 statements that could be a good fit for the group. Statements are organized into two groups—easier and more difficult—based on vulnerability. We encourage the facilitator to choose a few statements from each group and begin with easier statements to have youth get the hang of the activity and build trust.

Activity

Opening Questions

Choose questions suitable for the group, if appropriate pose the question to set the tone without seeking an answer. It is also appropriate, in the spirit of vulnerability and fostering trust, to share some of your own story—enough to serve as a model, but without making it “all about you.”

Have you ever felt as if you were the only person in the world to feel a certain way?
How do you like to express yourself?

Experience

Have the group gather in a circle. Share that you are going to read a series of statements. After each statement, youth should step into the circle if the statement applies to them.
After each statement, be sure to pause and give youth enough time to consider if the statement applies to them.
As necessary, debrief statements and ask if anyone wants to share why they stepped in or not.

Easier statements:

Step into the circle if you have cooked a meal for someone.
Step into the circle if you like to play basketball.
Step into the circle if you like to eat ice cream.
Step into the circle if you enjoy reading books for fun.
Step into the circle if you have milked a cow or watch someone milk a cow.
Step into the circle if you have driven a tractor.
Step into the circle if you have made or helped make bread from scratch.
Step into the circle if you like to swim.
Step into the circle if you have cried during a movie.
Step into the circle if you have felt so much joy you have done a happy dance.
Step into the circle if you have felt comfort when being outside.

More difficult statements:

Step into the circle if you have ever gone on a walk to clear your head.
Step into the circle if you have been in a room full of people and felt alone.
Step into the circle if you have thought about food waste.
Step into the circle if you have felt overwhelmed by how much you have to do.
Step into the circle if you have felt tired or numb when listening to the news.
Step into the circle if you have felt angry when listening to the news.
Step into the circle if you make art as a way to express yourself.
Step into the circle if you or someone you know has signed a petition.
Step into the circle if you have ever kept a journal to write down your thoughts.
Step into the circle if you like to tell stories.
Step into the circle if you like to listen to others tell stories.
Step into the circle if you have been told you can’t do something because you are too young.
Step into the circle if someone has publicly made you feel embarrassed about something you said or did.
Step into the circle if you have watched someone speak and felt inspired.

Reflection Questions

What does it feel like to be the only person who has experienced something?
What does it feel like to know others have had the same experience as you?
What inspires us? What turns inspiration into action? What stops inspiration from turning into action?

Variations

Instead of stepping into the circle, youth can raise their hand to show the statement applies to them.
Youth can create their own statements.
The statements can be cut into strips and placed in a hat. Youth can draw statements out of the hat and read them.

Acknowledgements

This activity is inspired by the “Have You Ever” activity in Chappelle, S., Bigman, L., & Hillyer, F. (1998). Diversity in action: Using adventure activities to explore issues of diversity with middle school and high school age youth. Hamilton, MA: Project Adventure.

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