Obstacle Overcomer Challenge {#obstacle-overcomer-challenge-game}

An engaging, team‐based mini-game that presents simulated setbacks. Students practice applying growth-mindset strategies while racing against the clock and competing for points.

Objective

Teams will tackle a series of quick “obstacle” tasks, troubleshoot setbacks, and earn points by demonstrating creative, growth-focused solutions.

Materials

• Task cards (4–5 distinct challenges)
• Timer or stopwatch
• Scorecards and pens
• Simple props as needed (puzzle pieces, printed riddles)
• Optional: small tokens or stickers for points

Setup (2 minutes)

1. Divide class into teams of 4–5 students.
2. Distribute one scorecard per team.
3. Place task cards face-down at a central station or hand out one per team to start.
4. Explain that each card simulates a setback; teams must collaborate, solve the task, and record a growth-mindset insight to earn full points.

How to Play (15 minutes)

1. Start the timer for 2 minutes per task.
2. On “Go,” each team flips their card, reads the scenario, and begins the mini-challenge.
3. When time is up, teams rotate to the next card/station, passing completed cards to the next group.
4. At each rotation, teams record on their scorecard:
   • Whether they solved the task (1 point)
   • One growth-mindset strategy they used or observed (up to 2 points)
5. After all rotations, collect scorecards and tally points.

Task Cards (Sample Challenges)

Card 1: Scrambled Strategy
Scenario: You receive these scrambled letters that should spell an encouraging phrase—BUT one letter is extra!
Task: Unscramble “TIRSUTOPEHSNO” to find the phrase, then identify which letter doesn’t belong.
Growth Insight Prompt: How did you decide which strategy to try first?

Card 2: Logic Riddle
Scenario: A riddle describes a student stuck on a problem they can’t solve alone.
Riddle: “I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?”
Growth Insight Prompt: What helped you keep going when the answer wasn’t obvious?

Card 3: Pattern Puzzle
Scenario: A sequence of shapes is missing its final element.
Task: Identify the next shape in this pattern: ■, ▲, ■, ▲, ■, ?
Growth Insight Prompt: Describe how you tested your hypothesis under time pressure.

Card 4: Misdirected Instructions
Scenario: You get half the instructions to build a simple paper tower—and your teammates have the other half!
Task: Collaborate to reconstruct the full instructions and build the tallest free-standing tower in 2 minutes.
Growth Insight Prompt: How did you handle confusion and keep communication clear?

(Optional Card 5: Quick Reflection Prompt – No puzzle, just reflect on a past setback and name one growth strategy you used.)

Scoring

• Solve task correctly: 1 point
• Growth-mindset insight (clarity & relevance): up to 2 points
• Bonus for teamwork language (“yet,” “try,” “next time”): +1 point per team (up to 2)

Total possible per station: 4 points

Debrief Questions (5 minutes)

1. Which challenge felt the hardest—and why?
2. What growth-mindset strategy surfaced most often?
3. How did teamwork and language (“I can’t…yet,” “Let’s try…”) change your approach?
4. How can you apply these strategies to real-life obstacles?

Differentiation Tips

• Vary task difficulty by swapping in simpler or more complex puzzles.
• Provide sentence-stem prompts on each card for students who need language support.
• Allow teams to use a single hint token (for a 1-point deduction) if completely stuck.

Next up: rotate into the Resilience Lab to practice more real-world scenarios!

Resilience Lab {#resilience-lab-activity}

Objective: Students will apply growth-mindset strategies to real-life challenge scenarios and document actionable insights.

Time: 10 minutes total (3 minutes per station + transitions)

Materials:

• Scenario cards or posters for each station
• Station worksheets (one per student)
• Pens or pencils
• Timer or stopwatch

Setup (2 minutes)

1. Arrange three stations around the room.
2. At each station, display the scenario card and place worksheet copies.
3. Assign students into small groups or pairs.

Procedure (10 minutes)

• Students spend 3 minutes at each station.
• On signal, rotate to the next station.
• Record responses directly on the worksheet prompts.

Station 1: Time Management Crisis

Scenario: You have two major deadlines due at the same time and feel overwhelmed.

Worksheet Prompts:

1. What is the main challenge you’re facing?
   
   
   
   
2. Describe one growth-mindset strategy to organize your time.
   
   
   
   
   
3. How will this strategy help you overcome the overwhelm?
   
   
   
   

Station 2: Social Setback

Scenario: You organized a school event, but most peers didn’t show up.

Worksheet Prompts:

1. What was your initial reaction to this setback?
   
   
   
   
2. Reframe the situation with a growth mindset: what opportunity can you find?
   
   
   
   
   
3. What will you do differently next time to improve turnout?
   
   
   
   

Station 3: Academic Roadblock

Scenario: You received a lower grade on a test than you expected.

Worksheet Prompts:

1. What thoughts ran through your mind upon seeing your grade?
   
   
   
   
2. Propose a growth-mindset action plan to improve on the next assessment.
   
   
   
   
   
3. How will you track and measure your progress as you study?
   
   
   
   

Debrief (5 minutes)

Gather students and discuss:

1. Which station felt the most challenging—and why?
   
   
   
   
2. Which growth-mindset strategy resonated most with you?
   
   
   
   
3. How can you apply these strategies to obstacles you’ll face after graduation?
   
   
   
   
   

Differentiation Tips

• Provide sentence stems on each worksheet for students needing language support.
• Allow students to sketch or verbally explain responses if writing is challenging.
• Offer a one-minute peer-share before writing for additional processing time.

Mindset Reflection Pages {#mindset-reflection-pages-journal}

Date: ________________________

1. Challenge Description

Describe a personal struggle or obstacle you recently faced. What happened? How did it make you feel?

2. Initial Thoughts

What thoughts ran through your mind when you encountered this challenge?

Sentence Stem: “At first I thought… but then I realized…”

3. Growth-Mindset Reframe

Rewrite the situation by applying a growth mindset. How can this experience help you learn and grow?

Sentence Stem: “Instead of giving up, I…”

4. Action Plan

List two specific steps you will take to apply your growth-mindset strategy in a similar situation:

1. Step 1: ____________________________________________
   
   
   
2. Step 2: ____________________________________________
   
   
   

5. Tracking Growth

How will you track your progress and celebrate your improvements?

Optional Drawing

Draw or sketch a symbol, icon, or word that represents your growth mindset:

Commitment Pledge {#commitment-pledge-cool-down}

Date: ________________________

My Growth Mindset Pledge

I pledge to apply a growth mindset by:

My Specific Action Steps

1. When I face a challenge, I will…
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. To stay motivated, I will…
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

My Reminder Mantra

When I feel like giving up, I will remind myself:

Optional Drawing

Draw a symbol, icon, or word that represents your commitment and reminds you to keep growing:

Name: __________________________
Signature: _____________________
Date: __________________________