Back in April (2016) I sent my FUN Followers a G.E.M. variation of Key Punch (Quicksilver, Rohnke & Butler, 1995) called Key Pad Express. (I've included the download below for those of you not on the FUN-Elist just yet!) I made up Key Pad Express to fit into a Team Olympix (Group Dynamix speak) as a way to change up the original version of touching the numbers (on the floor) in order.
| 8-keypadexpress_042216.pdf |
Well, as we know in adventure education, it didn't stop there. My good friend Barry Thompson (co-author with me on CUP IT UP! Teambuilding Activities with Cups - out this Fall), placed an expandable trade show display wall (minus the display) between the odd and even numbers on the floor and required his participants to toss a rubber chicken through the large squares in the wall through the series of number - 1 to 2, 2 to 3 and so on. A handful of us working at Group Dynamix (GroupDynamix.com) took to this version right away loving the "drama" that ensued and the "obstacles" (talking point) that get in the way of our progress.
Again, it didn't stop there. One day I wanted to use the activity with a program but the "wall" was not available. What could I use to toss the object through? A hula-hoop held by one of the participants (pictured above) was the resulting idea. At this point it's my newest Key Pad Express favorite.
Why do I like it? It's a nice timed activity that requires a group to collaborate on a plan of action. Holding the hula-hoop adds another "role" to the activity. The group can time themselves over a number of attempts to fill the allotted program time they have for the activity (it can be an "infinite" activity - fitting into different time frames, as opposed to "finite" activities, like the Human Knot, where the group is ready to move on once completed or is forced to move on even if it wasn't completed). There are also some nice talking points about planning and practice, obstacles, improvement, peak performance, and innovation. Here's how it works:
Set Up Set out your Key Pad numbers (numbered index cards, livestock tags, or poly spots) in a pattern similar to the diagram above - odd numbers on one side of center and evens on the other. The wider the number placement the more challenging the task. Between the odds and evens is something for the hoop-holder to stand on or in (I have access to a large carpet square that works great, but you could use a big hula-hoop or tape a square on the floor). The person assigned to be the hoop-holder will also need a hula-hoop. The smaller the hoop the more challenging the task. Then you will need a tossable object. In the picture above we used a small dodgeball, but a rubber animal is fun too (or other safe tossable of course).
Objective: The tossable object must be thrown through the sequence of numbers in order from 1 to 24 (or 30, or??).
Directions:
- The roles in this activity include a timer, a hoop-holder, throwers, and catchers. Players can take on some multiple roles, for example, the timer can also be a tosser or catcher, and catchers can be throwers. Exception: The hoop-holder cannot catch or toss the object (but this person could be the timer - tricky, but possible).
- THE THROWING RULE: All throws must be made from the appropriate number in the sequence while the thrower is standing ON the number..
- THE CATCHING RULE: Catchers do not have to be standing on a number.
- THE HOOP-HOLDER RULE: The hoop-holder must be standing on/in the designated center spot at all times while holding the hoop. The holder can move about on/in this area moving the hoop to where it needs to be, but must have both feet on/in this area when the object goes through the hoop from one side to another (see below).
- When throws are made from one side to another (odd to even, or even to odd), the object must go through the hoop. If the object does not make it through the hoop it goes back to the thrower (standing on the appropriate number) for another attempt. Throws are made from the same number until the object goes through the hoop.
- The object starts in the hand(s) of one person standing on the number 1 spot.
- Time starts when the timer says "GO!" When one player has the object in hand and is standing on the highest number in the game (after the object has been thrown through the sequence of numbers in order), the time stops.
As noted above, allow your group multiple attempts to see what improvements they can make. When I have the time I like to let my groups make as many attempts as they want and stop when they believe they have accomplished their "best" time. I like to ask, "Is this the best this group can do?" It's interesting to see how groups determine what their best can be.
Also noted above, if you have multiple teams participating in some respectful friendly competition, use Thread the Needle as an event. In a 25-minute window have teams plan and practice (after the directions are shared) for five minutes and then give them the next 15 minutes to achieve their best time. I like to chart all times on a white board or flip chart paper so the data is available for everyone to see. I circle the best times for all teams and then assign places.
Also noted above, if you have multiple teams participating in some respectful friendly competition, use Thread the Needle as an event. In a 25-minute window have teams plan and practice (after the directions are shared) for five minutes and then give them the next 15 minutes to achieve their best time. I like to chart all times on a white board or flip chart paper so the data is available for everyone to see. I circle the best times for all teams and then assign places.
Let me know how it goes for you! Leave a comment below.
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
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