FUNdoing. People. Together. Learning.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Books
  • Trainings
  • About Dr. Cavert
  • Ricochet
  • Contact
  • Store

Cooperative Strings (or Ropes, or Webbings)

11/30/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
My good friend Mike Spiller paid me a visit not to long ago (on his recent world wind tour of the midwest). Mike is the ultimate gamesman (or gamesperson). He has spent most of his life collecting games from around the world and sharing them with everyone he can. Check out his Games of the World website to find out more about Mike's endeavors. And, specifically, here is the link to Mike's Free Activities page. 

In honor of the "guru" of games I pulled out one (of over 30) of his activity booklets I have on my shelf to find something to share with you - from Mike. It's a small group variation of an activity I have used called Blind Shapes using a long activity rope with a large group (I've also shared my small group variation below as well). For Mike's version he suggests 30 to 40 foot sections of cotton rope tied together at the ends to make a circle or rope. If you have Raccoon Circles in your box of gear (15 foot lengths of tubular webbing), you could tie two together for the prop you need for a group of 5 to 6 players. (Multiple groups can play at the same time.) Here's Mike's description: 

This activity will allow the [small] group[s] to work together in a way that increases members sensitivity to each other. Divide the class into groups of five or six and give each group a rope [or webbing]. Tell the class that from this point on there is no talking. Each child is to keep both hands on the rope and together the group is to form the items that you say. [Possible items include:]
  • A circle
  • A square
  • A rectangle
  • A pentagon
  • A flag
  • A kite
  • A butterfly
  • A tree
  • A flower
  • A tall building
  • A diamond

[I see some Common Core connections that can be made creating shapes - Geometry anyone? This shape list, of course, can be expanded to include items and topics you are working on in class or on the challenge course. What about a shape that represents "community" or "trust" or "teamwork?"]

[Back to Mike's description - this is my favorite part of the activity.] You many move into "emotional ropes" [or webbings] by telling the class to make the rope look happy, nervous, smiling, frowning, friendly, angry, sad, etc... For an older group, ask them to try this activity blindfolded [or with eyes closed] and allow them to talk during the process. Note: You may use the rope to review map skills, other geometric figures, and so forth. 

[I have a similar activity I use called Shapes. Using the same list above the small groups are making the shapes with the webbing circle around their ankles - everyone is inside the webbing circle essentially pushing out against the webbing to keep it off of the ground while they navigate through the shapes. I'm now going to add in the emotions to my list to explore the outcomes. LOVE IT!] 

Thanks Mike!! You are the best of the best my friend. 

Add your favorite shapes to the list - share in the comments below. 

All the best, 

Chris Cavert



0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    On Sale Now!

    Details & Purchase

    Blog Author

    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.

    Blog Purpose

    This blog is a space for hands-on programable fun - energetic activities and ideas that can be used as a means to bring people together; activities and ideas we as educators can add to our social development curriculums. 

    Archives

    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

    Categories

    All
    Activities
    Agree Or Disagree
    Challenge Course
    Chiji Cards
    Ed Tech 4 Adv Ed
    Facilitation
    Fun Props
    Lessons
    Let's Talk About
    List Play
    Noodles
    On Pedagogy
    Print N Play
    Print-N-Play
    Processing
    Programming
    Puzzles
    Read This
    Repurposed
    Resources
    Top 10 Activities
    Variations
    Videos
    What's Your Guess
    What? & Why?

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Books
  • Trainings
  • About Dr. Cavert
  • Ricochet
  • Contact
  • Store
✕