Strengthen connections by getting to know one another... the fun way!

Posted by Mitch Zeltzer

For most kids September marks the start of a new year and not January. September brings a new school year, a new class, a new set of teachers and often a new set of friends. It is our role as educators and parents to provide children with the opportunity to strengthen their connections with their peers. What's great about this is that: (A) It could be fun, and (B) We, as educators/parents, will also benefit from these strong connections, in the form of less conflict and more positive interactions.

Earlier today we posted a Team Tip on our Twitter feed it was:

"TeamTip 25: Learn something new about 3 people in your class, group, or workplace." (via @getdynamix)

Everytime someone learns something new about someone else, they strengthen their connection, it's that simple! There are tons of ways to break the ice and get to know your peers, here's one that we've suggested in the past: Be There or Be Square! (<-- Follow this link for a complete description and printable templates for the activity)

Be There or Be Square is a fun / quick activity that you can not only use to get to know your peers, but can also use as a great structure for content review and more! Simply adjust the discussion topics accordingly, and away you go!

Remember, if you have fun, so will the kids, so get in there and play with them!!

Good luck and be sure to let us know how this activity works for you!!

Teamwork... at it's best?

Posted by Mitch Zeltzer

While I LOVE the brilliant teamwork at play here, I just hope these boys also use their brilliance for something other than video games!

Happy Friday to all!

Game of the month: Reset!

It's hard to believe, but the first day of school is just around the corner. Here's a great ice-breaker to help you get a jump start on building your classroom community.
(of course there are many other great applications for this game too!)

Materials:

1 index card per player

(or you can make it a bit harder for older participants by using a deck of cards)

Goal:

To get to know the other players, to have fun, and maybe even to win a round or two!

Set-up:

If you are using the index cards, you will need each player to write his or her name on a blank index card before the game can begin. If you have multiple players with the same first name, be sure to instruct them to include their last name initial or their complete last name.

If you are using a deck of cards, you simply need to distribute one random card to each player.

Description:

• Everyone starts with his/her card
• On "Go!" players are to mingle around and pair off
• Once in a pair, players should share something specific. (You might have the group share their favourite food, or the most exciting thing they did over the summer, etc. Be creative and switch up each round)
• After players have shared information, they are to trade cards
• Players continue to mingle sharing and trading as they go
• After about a minute you should call "RESET!"
• Players must now try to get his/her original card back
• Play continues in the same manner, sharing and trading, but now if a player get his/her original card back, they quickly make their way to the front of the class and give you a high five!
• That player is declared the winner of this round
• Get everyone to quickly give the card they are holding to the person it belongs to and play another round, this time you can have the winner of the previous round pick the topic of discussion for the round

HAVE FUN!!

Game of the month: Musical Pools

Is the heat getting to you? Here's a way to cool down that is sure to be a great time and provide tons of laughs!

Materials:
Music,
Water Source,
Kiddie Pools
(Quantity will vary based on the size of your group. I would suggest a ratio of 1 pool for every 5 participants)

Goal: To be the last player remaining!

Set-up: Line your Kiddie Pools up side-by-side, and fill each one with water.

Description:

Just like classic Musical Chairs, this is a game where you want to be the last player remaining. Players start by standing around the Kiddie Pools. As the music plays, they must circulate around the Kiddie Pools -dancing is encouraged! When the music stops, everyone must get into one of the Kiddie Pools (safety tip: don't allow more than 5 people per pool). The last player to get into the water is eliminated. Continue like this until one (very wet) player remains.

Have fun!!

Game of the month: 52 Pick Up!

A deck of cards, a stopwatch and a group that's ready for the challenge, that's all you need for this one!

Materials: 1 Complete Deck of Cards, 1 Stopwatch

Goal: Arrange each suit of a deck of cards in order from Ace to King, as quickly as possible!

Description:

• Have your group start by standing in a large square (all facing the inside)
• Scatter the deck of cards, randomly and face down on the floor, on the inside of the square
• On "Go!" the group must attempt to collect all the cards and stand in a square formation.  At each line of the square, participants should be lined up holding the cards of a particular suit in the correct order (ace to king).
• If you have a smaller group, you can advise the players to line the cards up on the floor instead of holding them up in their hands.
• Time the group's performance and challenge them to try and beat their time!

Tip!

Between rounds, check in with the group and ask them questions to get them thinking about their process and how it might be improved for the next round.

Game of the month: Jump Ball

Play a very active and fun game, with only 1 ball!

Materials: 1 Volleyball

Goal: To keep passing the ball for as long as possible, without breaking any of the rules

Description:
Have the group stand in a circle. (If you are in a classroom or any confined space, have a few kids play at a time.) The goal is to continually pass the ball to other participants in the circle. The catch is that you can never be touching the ball and the ground at the same time. When the ball is thrown to you, you must jump and catch it and throw it before landing.

There are a couple of ways you can play this game:


World-Record Style; Count how many passes your group can do, then try to beat your record. For larger groups, split the group into two separate circles. See which team can make the most passes.

Elimination Style; If you touch the ball and the ground at the same time, you must sit out and wait until the next game.


HAVE FUN!!

Game of the month: Group Juggle

Group Juggle is an oldy, but a goody!!

Materials:
5-8 soft, tossable objects (e.g. koosh balls, tennis balls, scrunched up paper, rubber chickens, etc)

Goal: To juggle as many objects as possible as a group.

Description:
1. Have everyone stand in a circle. They will be throwing and catching, so it is advised that you make sure everyone is about one arm’s length apart from their neighbors.


2. The first player throws an object to someone on the other side of the circle, calling out his/her name. That person then throws the object to a third person, and so on. This continues until the object makes its way to everyone once and returns to the first player. In order to establish a sequence that will work, it is important that each player only receive the object once, and that players remember to who they threw the object to. This sequence/pattern must stay in tact for the remainder of the activity.


3. Now, with the pattern set, the leader throws the first object. As the groups masters the pattern, another object is added, then a third, then a fourth, etc.

See how many objects your groups can successfully juggle without any mistakes or drops!



Be sure to look for Teachable Moments

How does your group react to a mistake?
What are they doing to help their peers?
Are they throwing to receivers when they are not ready to receive?
Is the group blaming each other for mistakes?
Is the group looking for ways to improve?