Hmm. I might get the kids into two groups. I’d tell each group their task was to choose a goal and plan the steps needed to achieve that goal, and then take those steps. Whichever group did better, would not have to do homework that night.
Then, I’d ask them who was the leader of each group? How did that person become the leader? Was everybody working together or were there people who were outsiders? How did they become outsiders?
Of course, this is probably a little much for kids, but I’d try it anyway, to see how they think and what they get out of it. Facilitated properly, the kids might do surprisingly well. I bet they’d learn far more than they could from any lecture.
They would be very confused at the start. What task should they choose? That will take most of the time. Let them know there is a time limit. Keep reminding them. They must choose a task in fifteen minutes. In the end, someone will dominate the group and choose for them and people will go along because they just want to get it done.
But how does a leader emerge? That is the interesting thing you’ll want them to look at and figure out. Was it fair? Was it democratic? How did it happen? Was there any resistance? Who was against the idea?
Fascinating. Sounds like so much fun, I want to do it!