Category: Virtual

ICON Circle Puzzles (mini kit 2)

4/9/2021

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

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Have FUN out there...

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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ReZOOM the Order (Face-to-Face & Virtual)

3/18/2021

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Before the video conferencing platform ZOOM became a household word, there was ZOOM - the book by Istvan Banyai. I included a short historical reference in my book, Portable Teambuilding Activities (2015) about how the pages of ZOOM were used as a communication-focused team building activity as far back as 1999. More recently, I included two different FUNdoing Blog posts about using ZOOM Basics and ZOOM On the Spot (including a video).

Recently I was working on the sequential one-page answer sheet to Banyai's followup to ZOOM, ReZOOM. A single page answer sheet is nice to have along with the picture pages for quick reference to the answer (and a quick check to see if any pages are missing before leading the activity). I've included this PDF for you below. (If you haven't (book) ZOOMed yet, be sure to read the ZOOM Basics post linked above before reading the new variations I'm presenting below.)

New Ideas for ReZOOM & ZOOM

During my construction of the ReZOOM answer page (link below), a couple of ideas floated into my awareness - happens a lot, for better or worse! One is a small group ZOOMer (emanated, no doubt, from the last FUNdoing Blog post on Small Group Activities) and another is a virtual idea.

ZOOMing from Memory (with small groups)

I have yet to try ZfM, so this is an idea in the making (help me out with the details). I'd say 5 to 8 participants. You'll need one ReZOOM (or ZOOM) page for each participant. For example, if you have 6 people, 6 sequential pages from the book. (I'm staying with sequential pages at this time.) You'll need an activity spot (or a chair) for each person. Set the chairs out in a nice big circle. Shuffle up the ZOOM pages and put one, picture-side down, on the top of each spot/chair (like the diagram shows).

Initially, ask each participant to stand behind a chair, pick up the picture (ZOOM) page on their chair, look at it for 30 seconds and then place it back, picture-side down, on their chair. Then, have the group form a small circle inside the circle of chairs (as show in the diagram) - each person is standing about 10 feet in front of her/his chair. Tell the group that all the pictures in their set create a sequential storyline. At the moment the storyline is out of order. Their task is to put the pictures in sequential storyline order.

RULES (so far):

Participants may only talk to each other when they are standing together in the center circle - we'll call this the 'talking circle'.
Each person may look at her/his picture page 6 times during the activity - we'll call this, 'data gathering'.
No more than 2 people may look at their picture page at one time.
Picture pages may not be shown to anyone - only verbal descriptions can be used.
Only 2 people are allowed to swap picture spots (activity spot or chair) at a time. This swapping must take place moving around the outside of the spots/chairs. Participants then take their new spots in the talking circle (in front of her/his picture page).
Once all participants have used up their 6 data gathering turns or time allowed is up (e.g., 20 minutes), picture pages may be adjusted, but not looked at, for another few minutes if needed.
When everyone agrees, reveal the pages in order to see the result.

The main dynamic I'm going for here is listening and talking. Depending on how they use their data gathering turns and talking circle time, who will be able to listen to what is being shared while trying to remember her/his picture page data (description).

Out of Order (virtual idea)
This idea involves creating a Slide (the one above was created in Google Slides) like the one at the header of this post. I took (pictures of) 6 sequential pages from ReZOOM and then placed them on the Slide out of order. When I lead this activity, I'll share my ZOOM (video conferencing platform) screen with this opening Slide:

I will explain to the group that they will be placed into Breakout Rooms of 4 to 5 people after they initially get to look at the 6 pictures for 30-seconds. Then, they will have 90-seconds in their Breakout Rooms to discuss the Task with their group. After 90-seconds everyone will return (forced-return) to the main room to look at the 6 pictures again for 30-seconds. Then, 90-seconds in Breakout Rooms again with their group. These 30/90-seconds cycles will go on as long as needed until one group claims they have an answer.

After an answer is reached by at least one group (I'll be asking when participants returns to the main room), one more cycle is completed - 30-seconds with the pictures, 90-seconds in Breakout Rooms. All groups are asked to come back with their numerical answer after this last 90-seconds.

Based on the way the Task Slide is worded, there are two possible answers - whether pictures are ZOOMing in or out. I've created Slides with both possible answers. My guess is, depending on how each person is decoding the pictures, there could be some miscommunication and problem-solving that needs to take place before arriving at an answer.

All Beta testing at this point.

If you get the opportunity to try either of these ZOOMs, let us know how it goes! Leave a Comment below.

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

ReZOOM Answer Page

rezoom_answer.pdf
File Size:	10069 kb
File Type:	pdf

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ICON Circle Puzzles (mini-kit 1)

2/5/2021

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Here is the next iteration of Word Circle Puzzles - ICON Circle Puzzles. (NOTE: Use them virtually too - see below for details.)

If you are a long-time Circle Puzzler, just go download to the mini-kit (print-n-play) below and make the magic happen.

If you are new to the 'Circle Puzzle' world, I suggest you check out these FUNdoing Blog posts:
Silent Word Circle Puzzles: Variation
Word Circle Puzzles: December 2013

After you get the idea of Word Circle Puzzles, there are (lots) more puzzle sets - use the Search feature in the top right corner of this blog page. Type in 'Word Circle Puzzles' for tons more fun.

The second iteration of Word Circle Puzzles can be found in this FUNdoing Blog post:
Picture Word Circle Puzzle: Set 1

If you want a deep dive into Circle Puzzles, you can find the Print-N-Play versions (PDF downloads) of the Word Circle Puzzles Starter Kit (including 12 Presentation Ideas), the Word Circle Puzzles Expansion Pack and the Picture Word Circle Puzzles kit at the FUNdoing Store.

There is also 'The Ultimate Slide Deck of Circle Puzzles for Virtual Team Building' Assets Package available at the FUNdoing Store. This includes 2 Video Replays of the live workshop and downloadable copies of the Google Slides Instructor Deck and the Circle Puzzles Participant Slide Deck. Hours of virtual team building with Word Circle Puzzles and Picture Word Circle Puzzles.

ICON Circle Puzzles
This new version of Circle Puzzles plays just like Picture Word Circle Puzzles. The clean 'look' might be better for particular groups.

The Basic Gist: Look at the set of eight ICONS in the header picture above. Each ICON can be named with one word. Once you decide on what the ICONS can be named use those words to make a Circle Puzzle. Easy right? (Maybe not!) If you name something incorrectly it will be difficult to solve the puzzle. (Don't forget, the magic happens in between the directions and the solution.)

In the print-n-play mini-kit (PDF download below) you will find an 8-ICON Puzzle, a 10-ICON Puzzle, an Answer Card for each puzzle and four 'Help Cards'. (You simply need to download, print, cut out the cards and off you go....)

Help Cards: You can choose to hand out as many of the Help Cards as you want or don't give your group any Help Cards - this depends on your program outcomes and learning opportunities. Using Help Cards is a way to provide 'resources' to the group which they may, or may not, use. This is always an interesting topic to discuss. (Full details about using Help Cards can be found in the Word Circle Puzzles Starter Kit.)

Virtual Application: The header picture above came from a Google Slide I created. After you download the PDF, image capture each of the ICON cards for a puzzle and upload them into your platform of choice (e.g., Google Slides, Google Jamboard, MURAL.....). I provide a link to a deck of slides (or playground area, like MURAL) to each of the small groups I form (e.g., Breakout Rooms in Zoom) and send them off to work.

Before they go off to their groups I tell them how many 'Help Cards' they have. They can call me into their room to ask me a question or they can come back to the main room to ask me a question. I can also jump around from room-to-room to check out their progress or click into their Slide Deck to see the work they are doing.

Here's your mini-kit:

iconwordcirclepuzzles_set1_kit.pdf
File Size:	456 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Have fun my friend! Reach out if you have any questions: [email protected]

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Paradoxical Questioning with Continuum

1/22/2021

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I've been diving into more and more information on the topic of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). As educators we are now pretty familiar with the relevance (and importance) of the topic. I've been working through some ideas on how to present SEL content to team builders since we, pretty much, spend a good deal of time helping people work on social growth. How can we (team builders) recognize and encourage SEL concepts? (This has been my guiding question in my search for ideas.)

In my search, I picked up Tara Flippos book, Social and Emotional Learning in Action: Experiential Activities to Positively Impact School Climate. Tara tells us, "Social and Emotional Learning in Action (SELA) is an easy-to-use sourcebook [a 36-lesson progression] facilitated by teaching and/or counseling practitioners primarily in school settings." Each lesson (for the most part) has two activities and a debrief process. It's a nice progression of community-building activities and when you know and understand the CASEL.org framework and the five competency areas, you can blend the SEL language into the lessons.

One of the 'nuggets' in the book for me was reading about Paradoxical Questioning. (Those of you already doing this, Kudos to you - it's pretty interesting.) Tara shared this method in the debriefing activity she calls Continuum. (This 'rating' activity has been around for a while, but I can't put my finger on a source just yet.) During face-to-face programs you lay out a rope in a straight line designate one end as zero and the other end as a ten. You provide a question for participants to 'rate/score' for themselves - like, Where do you stand on..." or What score would you give to our.....(insert behavior here)" For the virtual version, develop a presentation slide (area) with the scale and question on it like the one above. Then, participants annotate themselves (their name) near the number they choose to score.

Traditionally, I then question participants by asking them something like, "Jennifer, you rated communication an eight. What would the group have to do to get a score of nine?" Same with the other end of the scale. "Felix, what would it take from the group for you to give them a three?" I don't ask for BIG leaps, just, what would it take to go up one number - baby steps.

Here's where the paradoxical comes in. Instead of asking participants how the group can improve, ask them to share what information they used to come up with the score they chose. For example, Tara shared, "to low-rating students, you could ask what allowed them to be a 3/10 instead of a 0/10" - seeking the positive in a low-rated evaluation. Even with the high-rating participants - "What qualities from the group led you to score an eight?" Yes, you could go on to talk about improvement. And, what about simply stating the 'good stuff' and then moving on?

Sometimes it's just the simply things that can light a new path. Come to think of it, it's often the simple things that lead to the biggest changes.

If you have any other paradoxical ideas, we'd love to hear about them. Leave us a Comment!

Be well...

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Commonalities Revisited (for Face-to-Face & Virtual)

1/8/2021

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Happy 2021 to you!! For me, so far so good. Let's make this year amazing....no matter what!?

The recent book I'm diving into is, Social and Emotional Learning in Action: Experiential Activities to Positively Impact School Climate, by Tara Flippo. Early on in the book I came across the activity Commonalities - one of those activities that's been around for a while and still super-useable, super-engaging (Quicksilver, Rohnke 1995).

Still in the "what-activities-can-I-do-online" mode, Commonalities can be a good one. Here's how I intend to use the activity online with groups of 10 to 25 participants (pretty much the same way I use it face-to-face):

Tell everyone they will be going into 'breakout rooms' for about 2 minutes with a few others (groups of 3 to 4) to discover things they all have in common - everyone in the group has done or likes, for example. (While face-to-face, they just get together in groups and go off somewhere to talk.)
During the exploration, someone in the group will keep notes (make a list) of the things they have in common with each other.
After 2 minutes, everyone is brought back into the main room.
The facilitator then asks for people to share, verbally, something his/her group has in common that is interesting or not-so-common. After something is shared, the facilitator can ask for anyone in the 'Gallery' (main room) to raise a hand if they too have that in common with the group that just shared. (Building awareness of others like you.) Take about 1 to 2 minutes for this exchange.
After this verbal sharing, send everyone back into their breakout rooms and continue the process - same thing. Discover more things they have in common with each other. Add these commonalities to the list.
After two minutes, bring them back to the main room to share interesting and/or unique commonalities.
Then again. After some verbal sharing, send them back to discover even more commonalities they share - another 2 minutes.
Bring them back to the main room to share out these new findings.
And so on....

[NOTE: If I'm working with a group of 12 or less, I'm sure to ask each small group to share one or two of their commonalities. When the group is bigger, I do the volunteer sharing and only spend up to 2 minutes with it.]

When face-to-face, I've done this up to 6 'discovery-and-share' rounds. And, I'm pretty sure I'll shoot for 6 rounds online as well (the more rounds, the deeper the exploration). You might be thinking, "Are you kidding! There's no way a group will want to do this that many times!" Exactly! Getting to REALLY know others is hard work. And, what does it take to really get to know someone?

I've found that after we start discussing the 'point' of the exercise (so to speak - 'exercise' being hard work as well), people start loosening up, realizing that, in fact, it is hard work getting to know each other. If the work can be done, with the appropriate mindset, it can actually be a fun experience. The kind of work you put into something is equal to the kind of reward!

For me, this process has always been a wonderful deep dive into getting to know each other!!

Let us know if you try it out and if you make any useful adjustments. Leave a Comment below.

All the best,

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

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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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Life Skills Memory Match (Set 1 & Set 2) Print-N-Play

10/30/2020

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You know those times when you go into a situation with no real expectations and you come out the other side saying, "That was really fun!" Well, I had one of those experiences with Karen Whittaker and some of the Base Camp Challenge Center staff recently. Karen reached out and wanted to give back to the community of Fun Followers that we are. We set up a ZOOM call and I expected that Karen and I were going to simply talk out some of the activities they use during their programs. Well, "little did he know..." (movie reference)...I was surprised with a small group ready to play and 'show' me the activities. Needless to say, I learned a lot from these amazing educators! (Thank you my friends!!)

Life Skills Memory Match is one of the (processing) activities they shared - one I knew I could get out to you right away (and I know how much some of you like the print-n-plays!). The Base Camp Challenge Center (among other things) team builds with high school ages. During their programs they align activities with the Michigan Technical Education Essential Standards, what we can call life skills. Karen and the staff work from a specific list of traits and skills they can address based on the standards. Life Skills Memory Match is most often used as a processing activity at the end of a series of high school student programs to review many of the traits and skills the students learned and practiced while at the Base Camp Challenge Center.

Karen provided us with two sets of Memory Match activities (downloads below). Each set includes an answer key. She shared with me that a 4 by 5 grid is a good size to work with - more choices takes longer. And, there is certainly the option to mix the pairs from each set to make another 'set' - just be sure you have an answer sheet for your new set. Thinking through this resource, if I have the same group over different days (like the Base Camp groups), I would put a set of memory match cards together to review the traits and skills we practiced during different parts of the program (e.g. after the second program of four). Then, as a final processing activity I'd put a game together with the most relevant pairs to review in the mix. Lots of potential versions to create with this one.

Basic Play for Life Skills Memory Match
Karen provide a set of the Memory Match directions (at right). The directions outline a competitive way to play with a review of the pairs after the 'match.' And, I like how it says, "You can allow a team to match 'wrong' as long as they can tell you why they think the cards match, then..."

basicmemorymatch_directions_competiiotn.pdf
File Size:	104 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Of course, you can also play cooperatively and work together to find the matches (...as long as they can tell you why...). When a positive match is found, take a moment to reflect on the learning behind the match. Then, continue to search for the next combination.)

Set Up
As Karen shared, a good size for play is a 4 by 5 grid of cards (10 pairs to find). NOTE: I set up the example images in Google Slides with 'covers' over the cards (and yes, we could play virtually). Please consider the covers to be the backs of a cards so we'll 'flip' the card over, uncovering it in Slides.

Play
Two players go to the grid, either from the same team, if competing, or from the group if playing cooperatively. Each player turns over a card...

If the cards do not match (and the group cannot "tell you why" they match), the cards are flipped back over (words down - you might need to include this specific phrasing due to the creative nature of some groups - what is a flip?).

If the cards do match (correct answer or a good reason why), the 'team' pulls the pair out and play continues (same team plays again, or next team goes? Up to you....), or (as I - Chris - might play), we would take some time to talk about the significance of the pair then take the cards out of the grid, place them off to the side and continue playing. (I like the idea of taking the found pairs out of the grid so it doesn't become distracting as other pairs are found.)

Most of us have played a 'Matching' game of some sort, so I'm guessing you know how it plays out over the long run. Be sure to adapt the game to meet your specific needs. Does the grid need to be a 'square/rectangle' grid? No. Could I have some 'distracter' cards in the mix? Yes. Can my grid contain more cards? Yes. Can we jump up and down in celebration when we find a match? Yes!! Reviewing our learning is an important part of what we do as team builders. Make it the best for your situation.

Another BIG THANKS to Karen and her colleagues for taking the time to share with us. And, there is more on the way from these amazing educators.

Here are the downloads:

lifeskills_memorymatch_set1.pdf
File Size:	410 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

lifeskillsmemorymatch_answersheet_set1.pdf
File Size:	104 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

lifeskills_memorymatch_set2.pdf
File Size:	479 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

lifeskills_memorymatch_answersheet_set2.pdf
File Size:	140 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

NOTE: If you have any questions about the content in the Sets, email: [email protected]

Be well my friend!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Face-To-Face 'Connection' Activities While Safely Distancing (Volume 1)

8/6/2020

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IMPORTANT INFO: Everything you need to learn more and to use the four activities shared in the video can be found below. You do not need to visit the FUNdoing Resources page as noted in the video (the reference was for workshop participants).

The video replay above (37 min) is the 'activities only' portion of a live workshop offer by the folks from Kikori - creators of an amazing App for (worldwide) educators filled with connection and team building activities. (HERE is the link to the full 60-minute version of the workshop with more about Kikori and other learning discussions during the workshop.)

Kikori Kickstarter Campaign If you have the means to help Kikori, this would be amazing. (You can get a Lifetime membership with them for $149 if the campaign is funded.) It's running through August 8th!

The four activities in the video above can be used during safe-distancing experiences to make connections between your students or participants and for you to connect with them as well.

Here are the resources you need:

Are You More Like
Here are the Instructions with questions, 40 'Sample Questions' and a link to the FUNdoing Store if you want to pick up the digital edition of, Are You More Like...? with 1001 questions.

areyoumorelike_instructions.pdf
File Size:	28 kb
File Type:	pdf

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ayml_samplequestions_cavert.pdf
File Size:	213 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Are You More Like...? Digital Version at the FUNdoing Store

Lateral Thinking Puzzles
This is a collection four in, The EMPTY Bag: Non-Stop, No-Prop Adventure-Based Activities for Community Building, by Hammond & Cavert

lateralthnkingpuzzles_cavert.pdf
File Size:	103 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

What's the Quote? Cards
HERE is the link to the FUNdoing Blog post with everything you need.

The Number Game
HERE is the link to the FUNdoing Blog post with everything you need.

I do hope these activities expand your connections with your students or participants and their connections to each other. As always, after working through this material, email me if you have any questions.

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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The Number Game (Face-to-Face, Safe Distancing & Online Applications)

7/22/2020

This post is my effort to archive all the information for presenting, The Number Game in a variety of team building (learning) environments - Face-to-Face, while Safely Distancing and Virtually.

Here are the complete instructions, and the handouts you'll need for face-to-face and safely distancing experiences, excerpted from the book, Games for Teachers:

thenumbergame_instructionsandhandouts_cavert.pdf
File Size:	149 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Here is a 15-minutes overview video of the Game:

Virtual Presentation of The Number Game
HERE is a Video (Facebook Video - 43-min) of a presentation I did with a group of young participants using the Cover Sheet & Number Grid (PDF Below).

numbergame_online_coversheetandgridcavert.pdf
File Size:	52 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Below is another video (24 min) of The Number Game I presented during a virtual training called ZOOMing In (using the ZOOM platform).

If you have any questions, after consuming all this content, please leave a Comment or email:
[email protected]

Be Well and Keep us posted!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

ICON Circle Puzzles (mini kit 2)

ReZOOM the Order (Face-to-Face & Virtual)

ICON Circle Puzzles (mini-kit 1)

Paradoxical Questioning with Continuum

Commonalities Revisited (for Face-to-Face & Virtual)

Onimod Challenges (from Sam Sikes)

Life Skills Memory Match (Set 1 & Set 2) Print-N-Play

Face-To-Face 'Connection' Activities While Safely Distancing (Volume 1)

The Number Game (Face-to-Face, Safe Distancing & Online Applications)

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