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Quadistinctions (with Playing Cards & Chiji Cards)

6/18/2021

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In one of my recent FUNdoing Fridays emails I shared a link to a Free Experiential Learning Manual from RSVP Designs (free as in, give them your email free - but I like this group, fantastic tools for team building). I recommend the manual as a useful tool for training new team building staff. 

As I often do during my activity searches, I took an image capture of an activity shared in the manual in order to explore the idea at a different time. They call it, Making Novel Connections - an exercise in creative thinking (I'm calling it Quadistinctions). When I went back to explore, playing cards and Chiji (Image) Cards jumped to the front of the line. Here are the first several pieces of information for the activity from RSVP: 
  • Take a pack of assorted picture cards that is divisible by 4 - we suggest a pack of 32 to 48 cards.
  • Lay the cards out on the table and ask the learners to sort them into sets of 4. Each set of 4 must have something that connects all the cards (e.g., animals)
  • The task is easy to begin with but becomes more difficult as fewer cards remain. It may be necessary to break up existing sets in order to fit existing images into sets.
  • Insist that the group's members 'force' all cards into sets of 4. 
  • You can share that finding novel connections is a key skill when it comes to creative thinking. 
NOTE: There are some other educational points shared in the manual if you want to dive in deeper. 
Okay. I love the simplicity of the exercise. It's a good one for small groups (and larger groups divided into smaller groups - How will the different groups approach the problem and will answers be the same or different, or both?). It's nice for quiet cognitive engagement and can certainly be considered problem solving. 

Now, since a deck of Chiji Cards has 48 images, I was ready to try it out (my 'out'come is below). However, since more team builders have access to playing cards I thought I'd try them first. Here's my thinking/idea right now (help me sort it out): 


Quadistinctions with Playing Cards
NOTE: This is a different approach to the challenge suggested by RSVP Designs. 

  • Give each group (of 3 to 5 learners) a set of playing cards that include the Aces through the eights (put aside the nines through Kings). 
  • Challenge the group to discover the 12 different 'distinct' groupings (all cards organized into sets of 4 cards meeting the distinction) on the Master List (below). 
  • The distinctions for the groupings must be 'arguable' - groupings that are clear and obvious (you, as the facilitator may need to explain your expectations when necessary). 
  • After forming the sets of 4 to make the distinction, groups may not use these formed sets as another distinction - may not name the formed sets more than one thing. 
  • If a clear and obvious distinction is discovered by a group, one that is not on the list, it can be written onto the list and categorized as a 'creative discovery' - but will not count towards completing the challenge. 
  • Be sure to set a time limit for the challenge (e.g., 20 minutes) or end it when one group finds all 12 distinctions. 

As with any Beta testing, let me know how this works for you. And let me know if you have any questions about the distinctions I've come up with (some might not make sense or could be the same as another distinction). Here's the Master List (so far): 
quadistinctions_playingcards.pdf
File Size: 29 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Quadistinctions with Chiji Cards
Well, I gave myself 30 minutes for my first attempt with Chiji Cards following the RSVP Directions for Image Cards. I almost made it...I'll be making another attempt soon. Here's what I came up with creating 11 out of the possible 12 sets of 4...

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I would be super-excited to find out about your success - with whatever deck of image cards you have available. (The next deck I'm going to try is Climer Cards.) Send your discovery to chris@onteambuilding.com  Thank you in advance!!

Have fun out there my friend!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D. 
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The Bank Robbery - A Who Done It? Challenge (Print-N-Play)

6/5/2021

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Here's another fun share from Karen Whittaker. (THANKS Karen!) She shared this one with me a while back as a Virtual problem solving challenge. Now that we are starting to meet face-to-face again with groups, I thought I'd get this to you ready to print, cut and play. 

Karen developed this deductive challenge for up to 13 participants (there are 13 clue(s) cards to cut out). (Another good small group team building activity.) I also made another level of challenge for us. Karen numbered the clues cards. If read in order it's a little easier to follow the story/facts in chronological order. I took the numbers off the clue cards for another level of challenge - groups will need to sort out some of the chronological details. (So, there is a numbered version and an unnumbered version below.)

I'd say, this challenge is good for older middle school age and up. Again, for up to 13 participants. If you are working with larger groups, divide them up into smaller groups - each group getting a set of 13 clues cards. I wonder if they will collaborate? 

NOTE: If you want to attempt to solve the crime, know that the Answer is on the final page of each PDF document. 
bankrobbery_whodoneit_numbers_kwhittaker.pdf
File Size: 70 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

bankrobbery_whodoneit_nonumbers_kwhittaker.pdf
File Size: 68 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

If you try this one out, do let us know how it goes - we love feedback. Leave a Comment below. 

All the best, 

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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ICON Circle Puzzles (mini kit 2)

4/9/2021

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ICON Circle Puzzles are the latest evolution of Word Circle Puzzles. A few posts ago I shared a couple ICON Puzzles and I recently was moved to create a couple more - I wanted to add more to my ICON set so I can have challenge options when showing this version. (Puzzles sizes now include: 8 cards, 9 cards, 10 cards & 13 cards.) In this Kit 2 I added a separate HELP Cards page so we can print this off on different colored paper - I like to print my HELP Cards on light green paper.

For Your Reference: 
  • ICON Circle Puzzles Mini Kit 1 - FUNdoing Blog with play details and Word Circle Puzzles links and a link to the second evolution of circle puzzles - Picture Circle Puzzles. 
  • Use the 'Search' feature (top of this blogs right column) to find TONS of 'Word Circle Puzzles' ready to use. 
  • TheNounProject - This is where I get my ICONS (free for some ICONS, pay $40/year for unlimited).
  • Circle Puzzles Print-N-Play Kits - Check out the Circle Puzzles Kits, both Word and Picture Word Circles Kits at the FUNdoing store. PDF downloads ready to print and play! 
ICON Circle Puzzles - Kit 2
iconwordcirclepuzzles_set2_kit.pdf
File Size: 575 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Have FUN out there...
​
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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BUILDZI - Two for One Team Building Activity

12/18/2020

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If you are a gift-giver around this time of year, or any time of year really! (even giving gifts to yourself), here's a fun one you can give to your family and and then 'borrow' it to use for your team building programs. (Or, maybe it's the other way around?)

BUILDZI, comes from the creators of Tenti. (Tenzi is one of my favorite dice games - you can play with any number of people - well, maybe up to 12 around a table - as long as everyone has 10 dice. If you have or pick up Tenzi, don't forget the Cards Deck, 77 Ways to Play Tenzi, with Tenzi challenges). 
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(UN-SHAMELESS MARKETING: I love repurposing - especially toy aisle games like BUILDZI!! My amazingly creative friends, Michelle Cummings, Trevor Dunlap & Matthew Broda are going to help us out. They are releasing their book, Team Building from the Toy Aisle, in early 2021. I can't wait to see what they've come up with. You can pre-order your copy today at the Training Wheels website - link above.)
Most likely, if you've been team building for a while, you've done a communication activity that involves partnering up players, then each has his/her own set of matching supplies (e.g., playing cards or Dominos). Partners sit back-to-back, one builds something with his/her supplies and then communicates this build to his/her partner - hoping the outcome of the communication to be a 'match' (as close to identical as possible). This has always been a go-to for me when I want to discuss communication behaviors with my groups - everyone is doing something. 

BUILDZI can be used for this kind of team building activity. The 'game' includes four sets of building blocks and a deck of long cards (see above). (So, up to 8 players per game is what I would say - four pairs.) In this way, when partnered up, one player has a card, the other has the blocks. And, you can play where partners can be face-to-face or back-to-back depending on the conversations you want to have. (I've found that we can bring up more about 'helping' when face-to-face because we can get visual feedback from our partner if we can see what he/she is doing.) And, what about starting back-to-back and then going to face-to-face? How does the experience change? 

Other options of BUILDZI that I love: There is a 'silhouette' of the structure to build. Each card has a colorful block side and the silhouette of the same structure on the other side (see picture above. FYI: two different cards are show). And, you can have players build the structure flat on the ground/floor or vertically. Perfect for changing up the challenge.
Have fun out there! (It IS possible, even during these interesting times....)

Chris Cavert, Ed.D. 

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Onimod Challenges (from Sam Sikes)

11/20/2020

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NOTE 1: This is an updated post. After some clarification, the directions for all puzzles included in this post are clear. There was some mis-information in the original post. 
NOTE 2: This activity can be done face-to-face (i.e., mask-to-mask), just keep an eye on spacing. It can also be played virtually. See below for details. 

Onimod (Domino spelled backwards) is an interactive problem solver from Sam Sikes, found in his, Executive Marbles and Other Team Building Activities book. (And, there are lots of other fun things to do with dominos. For example, I pick a domino out of the 'hat' - it's a 2|5 combination. Everyone else picks too. Then, we pair up. I share things about myself equal to a number on my domino - I can say, 2, 5 or 7 (2+5=) things about myself. [What number did you choose and why? Good processing question.] My partner shares with me. After, we exchange dominos, then go off to find another partner to talk with...)

For the Onimod Challenges, you'll need a Double-Six set - 28 dominos. (If you don't have a set, I've included a downloadable one for you you below - just print, cut out and play.) 

Here are the Challenges: 

14 to 28 Players (Using 28 Dominos)
Give out 1 or 2 domino tiles to each player. Moving the dominoes end-to-end, while players are holding their domino(s), all 28 dominos can link in one long line. The dominos will also connect into a circle (the long line may end up working as a circle, or another solution is possible). Try solving the puzzle both ways.
 
10 to 21 Players (Using 21 Dominos)
First: Remove all the doubles - this includes the double zero. Give out one or two domino tiles to each player. The 21 dominos will all link into a circle.


7 to 15 Players (Using 15 Dominos)
First: Remove all the doubles, including the double zero, and all the dominos with a six. Thirteen dominos will always link in a line and leave two dominos (players) unlinked.

Extra Challenge: After finding the first solution, find another solution that includes the first two unlinked players (dominos) - in the second solution, two different players will be unlinked.  

 
5 to 10 Players (Using 10 Dominos)
First: Remove the doubles, including the double zero, and the dominos with sixes and fives. The 10 dominos will always link into a circle.
Here's a set of Double-Sixes if you don't have one handy:
domino_double-six_set.pdf
File Size: 38 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Virtual Application
I think a small group can work on the Onimod challenges in a platform like Mural.co or Google Jamboard (if you need help finding these, let me know). 

First, you'll need to 'image capture' each of the 28 dominos (from the PDF download above) and then create (import each domino image) onto a Canvas (Mural) or Slide (Jamboard) with the number and kind of dominos required for the particular challenge. (I'd say hold off on the 15-domino challenge until we have an answer!? Or, not.....) 

Then, get each group to the place where they can move around their own set of domino tiles. 

If you go for it, let me know how it works out!! 
Be well my friend! And please, be kind - we sure need it....

Chris Cavert, Ed.D. 

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April Challenge Week (Experiential Learning)

4/13/2020

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5 Days, 5 Challenges - some you may know, others will be new. The theme is learning, teaching and then using our new-found skills and abilities in new situations. How will you challenge yourself? (Have FUN this week and don't forget, kindness goes a long way.) 

Challenge #5: Overhand Cuff Links 
This final challenge for the week is a tricky one (actually, tricky two). No magic involved, I promise. (I lost track of the source for this one - pretty sure I saw it online somewhere. Since I don't know the name for this challenge I could not re-find it. If you know a source please share. Thanks.) Challenge On!

Challenge #4: Double Jump Six Count
I have not seen a specific reference to this activity - someone taught it to me years ago at a conference. Thank You, Someone!

Challenge #3: Six Count
Six Count can be found in, Executive Marbles and Other Team Building Activities, by Sam Sikes (1998). Sam says, "This is a good, quick icebreaker that stretches people's minds and smile muscles." Six Count has become so much more since - it's about moving through the discomfort of challenge and failure. It's about sticking to it, even if it's not easy. 

You can find Six-Count to Competence (what I called, Synchronized Six Count in the video) in, The More The Merrier. Here are some of the Discussion/Questions from the book: What were some of the strategies your group used to learn Six-Count? What made the activity difficult? How did you, as a group, overcome the difficulties? In what ways is Six-Count like other things you do? 


Challenge #2: Pencil/Pen Turning
A write up for Pencil Turning (or, Pen Flip) can be found in, The More The Merrier, by Sikes, Evans & Cavert (2007). One Facilitator Note from the books says, "The wonderful thing about this activity is that both hands have to work together to accomplish the task." Discussion/Questions include: What makes this activity difficult? What helped the most to find a solution? How is this activity like our interactions with each other? 

Challenge #1: Wiggle-Waggle (with a special cameo guest!)
The most recent description of Wiggle-Waggle is found in, FUNN 'N Games by Karl Rohnke, 2004. (I believe, Wiggle-Waggle made its first appearance in Rohnke's, FUNN Stuff, Vol. 3 1998). You'll see the original mode of play in the video (along with two additional ways to Waggle), but there are more versions of play in the book: 
  • Digital Wiggle-Waggle - Big circle of players. Each player connects (e.g., point at one another) with another person across from him/her - essentially pairing up. "On the signal each person walks toward [his/her] partner and attempts a double (both hands) Wiggle-Waggle."
  • Blind Wiggle-Waggle - Pairs are divided in half, each half moves to one side or the other of the playing area - not too far apart. All players close their eyes (by choice). With bumpers up, partners move towards each other, communicating freely. When pairs meet, Wiggle-Waggle - eyes can open when successfully Waggled. 
  • Electronic (Virtual) Wiggle-Waggle - "Call a friend on the phone [or ZOOM call them] and try to verbalize what needs to be done to reach a satisfying level of solo completion." 
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The Colour Game (Face-to-Face or Virtual)

4/2/2020

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This super-puzzle (what I'm calling it) was sent to us by David Chambers (thanks David!!). There are 5 Games in this challenge, from less to more difficult. Here are the basics: 
  • Groups of 5 to 8 participants per Game (Chris would go up to 12 in a group if they can stay engaged). 
  • Multiple groups can play at the same time, each with their own puzzle clues (maybe some collaborative practice). 
  • High School and older groups (or a well functioning middle school group - maybe the first two Games).
  • Players are handed clues for a Game and they must "figure out what they are expected to do." 
  • Players are only allowed to verbally share their clues, never show or give them away. 
  • Time-of-play can vary from 15 to 60 minutes. 
Before diving into the detailed Instructions below, be sure to take a quick look at the different Game sheets - basically, the Clues and Answer sheets. The 'Introduction Colour Game' clues are a little different than the rest of the Games. It's all good - just part of the adventure.
Face-to-Face Colour Game:  
instructions_colourgame_chambers.pdf
File Size: 218 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Here are the 5 Colour Games (The Clues and Answers):
introductioncolourgame.pdf
File Size: 422 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

colourgame1_chambers.pdf
File Size: 55 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

colourgame2_chambers.pdf
File Size: 60 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

colourgame3_chambers.pdf
File Size: 41 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

ultimatecolourgame_chambers.pdf
File Size: 73 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Virtual Application of the Colour Game
For the virtual application of The Colour Game, the Instructions are the same, you just need to prepare the Games for virtual distribution. You will need to 'image capture' the clues from the PDFs or snap a picture of them in small groups. Then, send (text or email) a small set of clues to each participant that will be playing.

If you plan to attempt more than one Game (maybe over several meetings), you can send a document with clues sets, to multiple Games, to each person - it will take a little more than 10 minutes to prepare for several Games, but the challenge and interaction can be well worth it. 

For example, here are a number of image captures from the 'Introduction Colour Game' PDF. You can capture a pair of clues, three clues, four clues or five (even six if needed) - dividing them (capturing them) in such a way so that each participant receives a small set of clues: 

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Drop a set of clues into a quick email to each person joining the meeting and they will be ready to play. During virtual play, Simply say, "You all have clues to a Colour Game (name the Game if there are multiple sets). Your task is to figure out what you are expected to do." Then, you simply monitor the interaction and jump in with processing breaks from time-to-time to check in and explore the learnings and insights that are surfacing. 

If you are daring enough, and know how to use Break Out rooms in ZOOM, for example, you can pre-arrange groups and distribute Game clues sets to each group. Then, when it's time, send them to their rooms to play - dropping into each room for a few minutes at a time. Half way through the set time, let's say, come back together as a large group so they can all share information and insights. 


The Colour Games are not intended to be easy, so you may certainly encounter resistance and frustration - all good things to talk about. And, in the time they are given, a solution may not be found. The journey is the important part - what will they find along the way and how will they use what they find? 
We would love to know how this goes for you - especially if you try this one virtually. Leave us a Comment! 

Be well!

Chris & David

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Word Circle Puzzles: April 2019

4/11/2019

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It's been a while since since I've posted new Word Circle Puzzles (WCP) - so, here you go! If you are new to Word Circle Puzzles, go HERE for a good start (and more puzzles - HINT: Click on the picture at the post to enlarge it enough to see five puzzle card sets). Also, to find all the WCP posts, search 'Word Circle Puzzles' using the Search feature to the right. And, don't forget to check out the first Picture Word Circle Puzzle HERE - this is the advanced version of WCP. 
Here are the new puzzle. They are out of order in case you want to give them a try before checking out the answers below. The Gist: Write out each word of a puzzle on a separate index card, then put them ALL together ending in a circle of words - each word is connected, in a searchable answer, to the word before it and after it. 
  1. Blue, Egg, Rest, Bird, Head, Code, Nest, Area, Jay (9) 
  2. ​Stone, Shade, Dance, Storage, Top, Key, Shed, Lime, Hat, Pass, Cold, Hall, Tree, Light (14)
  3. Iron, Lift, Frog, Bird, Weight, Start, Work, Kick, Lime, Cast, Tree, Song, Night, Up, Shade, Light, Off (17)
  4. ​Square, System, Office, Block, Kind, Float, Building, Red, Out, Letter, Carpet, Law, Man, Error, School, Deal, Plane, Prone, Ticket (19)
  5. ​Clean, Boat, What, Some, Cat, Way, Green, Side, Even, Come, In, Hall, Walk, Ever, How, House, Show, Break, Bean, So, Awe, For, Town (23) 
Want the FULL SCOOP on Word Circle Puzzles: Print-N-Play Word Circle Puzzles Starter Kit - ALL the details about Word Circle Puzzles, 12 different presentation ideas for using the word sets and 18 puzzles, ready to print, laminate, cut and play, at the FUNdoing Store. 

Print-N-Play Picture Word Circle Puzzles, Volume 1 - Six more full-length picture card word circle puzzles ready to print, laminate, cut and play, at the FUNdoing Store. 

Teambuilding with Puzzles - Both the Word Circle Puzzles & Picture Word Circle Puzzles kits are included in this online, study at your own pace, team building activity course. Check it out HERE. 
Spoiler Alert! Answers are Below
Answers: 
  1. Rest, Area, Code, Blue, Jay, Bird, Nest, Egg, Head
  2. ​Hall, Pass, Key, Lime, Stone, Cold, Storage, Shed, Light, Shade, Tree, Top, Hat, Dance
  3. Shade, Tree, Frog, Kick, Start, Up, Cast, Iron, Work, Song, Bird, Lime, Light, Weight, Lift, Off, Night
  4. Man, Kind, Red, Carpet, Square, Deal, Out, Law, School, System, Error, Prone, Float, Plane, Ticket, Office, Building, Block, Letter
  5. Awe, Some, How, Come, Clean, Break, Even, So, What, For, Ever, Green, Bean, Town, Hall, Way, Side, Show, Boat, House, Cat, Walk, In
Have FUN out there my friends!! 

Chris Cavert, Ed.D. 

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List Play #2

8/30/2018

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Way back in 2015 I post List Play #1 - an intricate collection of listable categories. I use handouts from time-to-time (including List Plays) as a way for small groups to gather around each other and work on a task using collective brain power. Sometimes I let my participants use outside resources (e.g., internet search), other times I do not. Without useful resources our tasks can seem daunting and even impossible. So, when "I have absolutely no idea" I look around for resources that can help me get one. This behavior is a learned skill for most people. Let's get some practice. 
I posted the PDF for List Play #2 (right under List Play #1) on my resources page HERE (scroll down to the Activity Tools to find it). 
Give this new List Play a try before downloading the answer sheet:
  • Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare)
  • Three Men in a Tub 
  • The Four (Basic) Freedoms
  • The 5 W's
  • The First Six Presidents of the United States
  • The Seven Virtues
  • The Ivy League Eight
  • The Nine Positions of a Baseball Team
  • Ten National Holidays (Before there was President's Day)
  • Eleven Tom Cruise Movies
  • The Twelve Days of Christmas
  • BONUS: The Thirteen Original Colonies 
What list(s) do you like? Share in the Comments below. 

Have FUN out there!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D

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Mini Reflective Puzzle with CrowdWords

2/13/2018

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Recently I attended the ACCT Conference (Association for Challenge Course Technology) in Fort Worth Texas. I stepped into an activity workshop lead by Matthew Broda and Trevor Dunlop - their theme was, Doing A Lot with a little. (As many of you know, I like versatile props and equipment.) Matt and Trevor shared a wide variety of activities using a pack of 184 letter cards they call CrowdWords. 
Another thing you might know about me is that I love word building activities, especially ones you can play with Jumbo Banangrams. Here's Word Building and 3 Down, two of my posts with the jumbo plastic letter set. Needless to say, I was excited about learning more to do with letters.  
Mini Reflective Puzzle is just that, an activity we can use to reflect upon (or even frontload) an activity. This one, and several other activities Matt and Trevor presented, were new and FUN for me, so of course I have to share a little. 

Note: Your whole group just participated in a team building problem solving activity and you're ready to move into some processing over what just happened. You have the Mini Reflective Puzzle activity ready to go. 

Set Up: Place all 184 CrowdWords letters, face up, on the floor or on top of a couple tables  (like below) in an open area within your playing space - in the center of the room is a really good spot, but anywhere can do. Divide your larger group into smaller groups of 3 to 5 participants. 
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If you have the space to do so, set each small group around the playing area in a circle pattern (with the letter pool in the middle) - like numbers on a clock, each small group positions themselves at a different number. If you don't have the space, find a nice spot for every small group and then number off each group. 
Part 1: Two Words (Caveat: This is my rendition. Matt and Trevor have other nuances in their description found in their book, CROWDWORDS: Doing A Lot with a little.)

I will ask each small group to brainstorm (eventually two) words they would use to describe the activity they just completed as a whole group. You might even want to get more specific in order to focus your discussion (and being more specific might make word selection a little easier too). You might say, "Think of words related to leadership and what we just did," or "Choose words related to what was needed for you to complete the challenge you just did." 

Here's part of the challenge for each small group. The two words they choose must fit together into a small crossword puzzle (or Scrabble-type if you prefer) formation (see pictures above with three words connected) - all words must be connected together, reading top to bottom or left to right. ​

As I would play it, when a small group decides together on a word, someone from the group can go to the "letter pool" and pick the letters needed for that word and bring them back to his/her group. I will ask my groups not to form the word on the floor. Simply keep the letters together in a pile after spell checking.


Then, knowing the letters the group has, they will choose another word that will share one letter with the first word they picked so the two words will connect together in a puzzle formation. When the second word is chosen, someone can go up to the letter pool for the letters needed. 

Now, as Matt and Trevor note: "Depending on group size, it will almost be a guarantee that there will not be enough of the "right" letters to spell the words they selected. Prompt the individuals to start thinking creatively to find a way to represent their thoughts as closely as possible." 

Once each small team has the letters they need (after spell checking) to make two words connected together, sharing one letter, they can shuffle up all the letters and place them in one pile on the floor. Be sure to give a little reminder to each group - remember the two words you chose in case other groups need an answer. 

Note: Each small group has just spent some time "processing" their experience.  
Part 2: Solve the Two Puzzle

​Each group is now asked to move one spot to the right, gathering around a new pile of letter cards. (If you've numbered groups, each group moves up one number and the highest numbered group goes to the number one group pile of letters.)

The Challenge With this new set of letters, each group is challenged to figure out the two words that go together in the puzzle formation - two words sharing one letter - within five minutes. Remind the groups that the words are related to...(whatever the prompt was for picking the words). This reminder can reestablish the focus of the processing and thinking.

If a group can figure out the puzzle words before the five minutes is up, they can have a discussion about the meaning of the words in relation to the previous activity. If some groups are not able to come up with the solution to the puzzle, the group that created the puzzle can share the answer. Then, as Matt and Trevor suggest, "...take a moment to conduct a gallery walk so that all groups can see the work of their peers."  

After a few minutes of roaming the gallery, you could take some time to discuss some of the words that came up for the small groups as a way to explore some of the key learnings they recognized. 
Part 3: Three Words If there is time, and it seems appropriate, go through the same process asking each small group to now choose three words that can be connected into a crossword puzzle formation. (Or, conduct another team building activity and go through this Mini Reflective Puzzle in this way.)

First, have someone from each group return the letters from one of the two-word puzzles to the letter pool - face up - then return to his/her small group. Then, ask a prompt that will relate to something about the activity you (also) want to explore. Groups brainstorm and bring back their words, shuffle their small deck and place the pile on the floor. 

Part 4: Solve the Three Puzzle As before, groups rotate, maybe to the left this time, and then attempt to solve the puzzle in five minutes. After five minutes solutions can be shared, if needed, and the gallery walk opens up. Follow up with some discussion about some of the key words that were noticed. 
Here's what I like about this processing activity (or Reflect, as named in the book):
  • Smaller groups allow for more sharing of ideas (hopefully).
  • It's a nice group consensus process.
  • The thinking challenge, solving another groups puzzle, may lead them to other words that might connect to the topic at hand. 
  • There is some moving around and viewing other words that might spark some thinking. 
  • Overall, the groups are engaged in all three major learning styles - visual, auditory and kinesthetic. 

The one downside I see is that, as the facilitator, you will most likely not hear all the discussions going on when words are being considered and talked about. you'll have to "trust the process." 

Playable Note: If you have a set of Jumbo Bananagrams (and you're not ready to invest in CrowdWords just yet), you can lead Mini Reflective Puzzle with a smaller group - maybe three or four groups of 3 to 5 players. There might be a bit more rethinking over word selection, because of less letters to choose from, but certainly doable. 
Review in a nutshell: 
  • I love the four different color sets of letters - four sets of 46 letters.
  • The cards are fairly durable - made of heavy linen card stock and they come in a nice durable box for storage and transportation. 
  • The companion activity book has 26 suggested activities. Categories: Introduce, Cooperate, Collaborate and Reflect. There is a nice Matrix chart to find the right kind of activity for your needs. 
  • Each activities are VERY easy to read (bullet pointed details), nothing extra to slow you down. 
  • Over half of the activities in the book I have not seen, so I was excited about the "new" factor. (I'm also thinking there are more activities to come!!) 
BONUS
And at the time of this post, the letter cards and book are on sale over at Training Wheels (not sure for how long?)

Full disclosure - I do not share in the profits. My review is free and from the heart! 

DOUBLE BONUS
​Trevor sent me a PDF copy of another activity (similar to Mini Reflective Puzzle - it's actually a nice lead up into the Mini). CrowdWords Scramble. Here's the download: 
Picture
crowdwords©_scramble.pdf
File Size: 45 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Thanks Trevor and Matt! I'm looking forward to my new activities. 

All the best, 

Chris Cavert, Ed.D. 
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    Dr. Chris Cavert is an internationally known author, speaker, and trainer in the area of adventure-based activity programming and its relation to community and pro-social behavior development.

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