Activity: Insight statements
Taking action: Adolescents will explore a challenge topic they have chosen by creating ‘insight statements’ that summarize important concepts related to that topic
Activity overview
Energy level: 3/5
Literacy level: 4/5
Complexity level: 5/5
Time: 30 to 45 minutes
Purpose: Further develop project ideas through the creation of statements.
Objectives
Adolescents will be able to:
- Think creatively about the challenge topic and how to pull out insight statements.
- Communicate and express ideas within teams.
Competency domains
- Critical thinking and decision making
- Communication and expression
Works well for
Adolescents who have ideas for projects and are looking to the next steps to develop their ideas.
Phase
Taking action
Before
Adolescents should have chosen a topic or concept that they will explore, or focus on as they design and carry out a project together. The Choosing a challenge topic can work well.
After
No activities required after this one.
Preparation: Draw the table shown below on a flipchart before the activity begins.
Activity steps
Step 1
Explanation and Discussion: Adolescents will be exploring challenge topics they have already identified in their earlier activities. If they are working together on one challenge topic they should sit together as a large group. If they are working on different challenge topics in small groups, they should sit with those groups.
Step 2
Explain: Adolescents should try to find different themes related to their challenge topic. “Themes” can be expressed in just one or two words. A good way to think of themes is to start with the phrase, “When we thought of challenges and opportunities to explore in our challenge topic, some important topics were...” and then finish the sentence. (Examples might be: “Community cleanliness”, “People who need support,” “Opportunities for fun.”)
Step 3
Explain: Now, using the themes we are going to think make insight statements for each theme. Insight statements are statements of what you have learning about your values, interests or priorities as you developed your “Challenge Statement.” They will help you to think more deeply about the challenge you have decided to take on, and how you can be sure that your project will fully reflect your goals. A good “insight statement,” is a complete sentence, and it could begin, “If we succeed in working on this challenge topic, a positive change will be....” Or “We want to take action on this challenge topic because...”
Step 4
Explain: Remind adolescents they are not yet looking for a solution to the problem or the challenge. Instead they are taking more time to explore their goals so that their project plans are more For example, for the challenge “Keep the community clean” the insight statement could be “cleanliness in the community keeps people from getting sick.”
Step 5
Show adolescents the flipchart and ask the groups to copy it down on their own flipchart paper.
Challenge Topic:
Theme: What does this challenge topic tell us about things that are working well or not working well in our community, or things that are important to us?
Insight Statements: “If we succeed in working on this challenge topic, a positive change will be...” Or “We want to take action on this challenge topic because...”
1.
2.
3.
Step 6
Ask adolescents to fill in the 3 insight statements about their chosen theme. Explain that it could take a few times before they get it right. Insight statements can be difficult to come up with!
Share and Take away: Invite adolescents to share their insight statements with others and get feedback.
Discuss:
- What new things do you learn or understand about your challenge topic now that you have done this activity?
- How will you use your insight statements as you move forward to work on a project based on your challenge activities?
Do and don't
Do
- Help adolescents to focus on insight statements that are related to their “Challenge topics,” including the topics they have learned and explored in earlier sessions.
Don't
- Correct adolescents if they use different ways to express themes and insight statements.
- Give suggestions for insight statements until adolescents have had a chance to try to come up with some of their own answers.
Adaptation
Low literacy: Instead of using flipcharts and markers to write down insight statements adolescents can draw pictures to represent insight statements or they can discuss out loud and verbally agree on statements without writing them down.
Environment
Indoor or outdoor space.
Supplies
- Flipchart paper
- Markers
Improvise
Adolescents can turn insight statements into a brainstorm session to find ideas, solutions, and challenges to the challenge topic.
Continue
Adolescents should use their insight statements as they continue to plan their projects together. Consider keeping the insight statements for adolescents to use in future discussions, including if they will be starting new projects after they have finished the ones they are currently working on.
Highlights
Further develop project ideas through the creation of statements. Works well for adolescents who have ideas for projects and are looking to the next steps to develop their ideas.
