The Lucky Hare: A Design Thinking Micro-activity for Young Learners!

LEVEL/ AGE: PreA1 - A2

Harry Hare is captured by a fox! As Hare thinks about the ways he can escape and be free again, the wind is getting stronger and stronger. The wind is good, Harry thinks! The fox can’t run fast! Maybe I’m lucky! Felix takes one step forward, and the wind pushes him three steps back. He’s so tired now, he stops under a tree. Harry Hare thinks: He’s tired. Perhaps I can get free now. I must be ready to run.

Design Thinking Introduction:

Design Thinking micro-activities are an ideal choice when you want to work on problem-solving or creative thinking but your class time restraints you. Ask your students to come up with ideas that could help the heroes and heroines of the stories overcome the challenges presented to them and foster a can-do mindset early on. 

Interested in learning more about Design Thinking activities in the ESL class? Read our blog post!

How?

Introduce the concept of design thinking, explaining its problem-solving approach and stages: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test—you can simplify those to help students better grasp the concept and their mission.

As a first step, ask learners to observe the situation to identify any flaws or problems.

In the next stage, brainstorm ways to solve Harry Hare’s problem. Each kid should offer their opinion!

At the end, ask the kids which way will help Harry solve his problem and why!

Imagine it!

Engage students in the story by asking how they would feel in Harry's situation or what challenges he might have faced. Use sticky notes to write down their thoughts and feelings.

What’s the problem?

Discuss and define the main problem or challenge Harry encountered in the story. Write this down on a large paper or whiteboard.

Find The Lucky Hare, HERE!

What should Harry do?

Encourage students to brainstorm ideas to solve Harry's problem. Provide space for them to draw or write their ideas on the board or separate sheets of paper.

Draw it!

Have students choose one or a combination of ideas from the brainstorming stage. Ask them to create a drawing representing their solution.

Present it!

In pairs or small groups, students present their drawings. Encourage them to explain their solution in English, describing how it could help Harry in the story.

Reflection:

After all the presentations, ask kids which way will help Harry solve his problem and why!

Download the Design Thinking Template!