Blog Archives

Objectable Human Knot

3/27/2019

(Spoiler Alert my team building friends! I have yet to see the successful completion of this challenge! Want to be the first in the record book - send in a short video clip of the last two minutes leading to success. We would love to see if this is possible!)

These were the first attempts to my eyes (two groups at a conference workshop) of, Objectable Human Knot. In the video you will see us set up the Human Knot with buddy ropes in a way that will lead to a single circle solution.

Once the tangles were set a beach ball was placed atop each set of ropes.

The Challenge: Without human contact with the beach ball, untangle the rope knot without letting go of the ropes or dropping the ball. (With this set up, everyone should be standing next to the person from the initial circle of the set up - this would be the expectation of "untangle.")

During these Beta Testing attempts, the groups placed the beach ball back on top of the ropes right away if it fell to the ground. In "real life" team building, we decided, if the ball drops, the group would have to reset the tangle from the beginning before placing the ball back on top of the ropes. (Just a thought so far.)

We also talked about letting some of the air out of the beach balls so they didn't roll around as much (to make the activity easier), use different objects like a small cardboard box or stuffed animal and allowing for a certain number of drops (e.g., three) before resetting the tangle.

Give this a try. Help out the cause. Is the task even possible - we would love to know! (And, see a video of a successful conclusion.)

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

4 Comments

Phraseology Cards, Set 1 (Print-N-Play)

3/14/2019

0 Comments

Something new. Let's try this out together. Before you read the description, I suggest you take a look at (and/or download) the cards you get!

Phraseology Cards

phraseologycards_set1.pdf
File Size:	408 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Welcome to Phraseology Cards – a norming and processing activity about "meaning" and making meaning. In some educational theories it's said that we should start with what we know before venturing into the unknown. Using Phraseology Cards can help us practice this idea before diving deeper into new social learning experiences.

Activity Objective: Using all the cards, pair them up so that two cards make a phrase that has a particular (Part 1) or new (Part 2) meaning.

Facilitated Objective: Explore prior knowledge (and why this might be useful), and practice behaviors related to communication, sharing voice, community knowledge, and building rapport.

Needs & Numbers: Print out the 38 Phraseology Cards below on copy paper or card stock paper - go with a color other than white to spice it up a bit (or, maybe a few different colors). For long-term use laminated the cards if you are using regular (thin) copy paper. Card stock holds up well on its own. One set of 38 cards works well with a group of two to 16 participants.

Time: 15 to 20 minutes at any time during a program – maybe a little longer if you plan to use the phrases for a processing session at the end of a program (depending on the number of players of course and how much they like to talk).

Set-Up: Spread out the cards, words-side up, on a tabletop or floor, so all the cards can easily be read.

Procedure: (This is a brand-new activity, so help me add to the use of the cards.) Here's what I have so far:

Part 1: Ask (challenge) your group to match two cards together that make up a known (documented) phrase that is known to have a particular meaning. (The Meanings Key below includes one or two historical meanings for each phrase.)

When someone identifies a pair, discuss what meaning the phrase has for people. Depending on the diversity of the group, there could be a wide range of meanings. Then, find out if the phrase might have a particular connection to the group or might it have any influence on the group as they work together - could it be a "norm" the group wants to adopt?

There will be some phrases (I'm betting) that will be unknown to the group. This can be a good time to talk about "unknowns" that might show up during a program. You can use the "Meaning Key" to share a meaning and discuss how this impacts the group.

Does the group need to match up all the cards? Maybe? Maybe not?

If there is time, move into Part 2. Or, after working together for a while and "trying out" some of the phrases, put out the cards again and try Part 2 - make some new meaning.

Part 2: The group has already matched the cards into the common form. Now, make new meanings by matching two (or more?) cards into an uncommon form and define the phrase. These could end up being fun, silly combinations or more serious, norm-relevant combinations.

Making new meaning might be a good conversation (processing) topic. Run with the energy of the group.

Processing with the Cards: You could pull the cards back out at the end of a program and find out, by putting cards together, which phrases really stood out for the group during the program.

Facilitation Notes: As the group works through Part 1 (or later in Part 2), they may notice the boarders of the cards and realize one type of boarder (solid lines) is the first part of a phrase and the other boarder (dotted line) is the second part of a phrase.

If they recognize this, will it be easier? Maybe? Maybe they never realize this. No matter. It's just another form of data that can be useful or not needed. This can relate to the work you do together. When we "look" or "pay attention" we might see something that will help. Looking is a learned skill that can help us in many ways.

When we look, we have the opportunity to uncover more meaning and make more meaning. This activity is all about making meaning together as a group. And, know that it's okay to share your understanding of the phrases as well - it doesn't "mean" you have the right answer, it's only "an" answer.

UPDATE (March 5th, 2020)
I finally had the opportunity to try out the Phraseology Cards at the Unconference (formally know was NCCPS) in March of 2020. I have to say, the outcome was pretty cool. Here are the 'NEW' phrase a small group of 8 people made up after matching all the 'KNOWN' phrase. (The group consisted of four high school students and four adults - I was observing the process and did not play.)

Want a little play time? If you haven't open the PDF of phrases yet. See is you can come up with the rest of the known phrases that go with each card - two cards go together to make a known phrase. Good luck!

We'd love to see any Re-Phrases you encounter - leave us pics in the Comments.

Have FUN out there my friends!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

0 Comments

Objectable Human Knot

Phraseology Cards, Set 1 (Print-N-Play)

Blog Author

Blog Purpose

Categories

Archives