My friend Don told me about a couple of Group Juggle variations he likes - one each from our friends, Ari Carol and Deb Kulcsar. (Here's one of my favorite variations I posted back in 2014: http://www.fundoing.com/blog/double-group-juggle. I think you'll like these next two options.
Remote Control (Ari Carol)
Have your group of 10 to 14 players set up a Group Juggle tossing pattern (Check out this super-slick way to set up a pattern quickly: http://www.fundoing.com/blog/group-juggle-setting-up).
Basically, to set up a pattern, everyone tosses and catches the (soft tossable) object in play one time - the first player to toss the object is the last player to catch it. (You are not permitted to toss the object to a person standing next to you.) Once the group has a good rhythm, pull out the 'Remote Control' (if you have an old one as a prop, that would be cool). Variety: Before going into RC mode, you could add one or two more objects.
As the group is tossing through their pattern, call out Remote Control buttons:
I can envision a lot of good discussion topics surfacing: Resource management, communication, handling mistakes, asking for help, behaviors that were working or not working, multi-tasking - and how was that going?
Have your group of 10 to 14 players set up a Group Juggle tossing pattern (Check out this super-slick way to set up a pattern quickly: http://www.fundoing.com/blog/group-juggle-setting-up).
Basically, to set up a pattern, everyone tosses and catches the (soft tossable) object in play one time - the first player to toss the object is the last player to catch it. (You are not permitted to toss the object to a person standing next to you.) Once the group has a good rhythm, pull out the 'Remote Control' (if you have an old one as a prop, that would be cool). Variety: Before going into RC mode, you could add one or two more objects.
As the group is tossing through their pattern, call out Remote Control buttons:
- Stop - stops all tosses
- Play - tossing in the 'forward' initial pattern
- Reverse - objects tossed in the other direction
- Mute - tossing still happens, but with no talking
- Fast Forward - while tossing, the group walks (it's faster than standing) in a clockwise direction
- What other buttons are on the RC?
I can envision a lot of good discussion topics surfacing: Resource management, communication, handling mistakes, asking for help, behaviors that were working or not working, multi-tasking - and how was that going?
MGJ (Multiple Group Juggle) (Deb Kulcsar via Eric Tedstrom)
When Deb has a larger group, 15 to 21 players, she divides them up into three small groups - each forming their own circle. Then, each group is assigned to create a group juggle tossing pattern (as detailed above). Each group is after mastery of the tossing craft with three tossable objects - smooth and confident actions (you and the group can decide what mastery will look like). And, of course, no drops. (NOTE: Each group will need three of the same kind of object (e.g., 3 tennis balls, 3 stuffed animals, 3 Thumballs. Each group must have a different looking set of objects.)
When the three groups have reached mastery, they are integrated together into one big circle. The objective: Each set of (three) objects must go through the tossing pattern of the group (the objects belong to) and through the tossing pattern of one other group - then, set down on the ground. Remember, objects may not be tossed to someone standing next to the tosser.
This is a timed activity and multiple rounds are expected to see if there can be process improvement. You can play it to where there is a stop-restart if an object is dropped or have the group figure out how they will manage the drops (e.g., an object drops it stays on the ground and 10 seconds is added to the overall time).
This one too, I see lots to talk about: Planning and practice, acceptance, patience, leadership, integrating ideas, success & failure, accomplishment (or not) and celebrating the wins!
Let us know how it goes! And, share, in the Comments, a favorite Group Juggle variation if you have one.
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
When Deb has a larger group, 15 to 21 players, she divides them up into three small groups - each forming their own circle. Then, each group is assigned to create a group juggle tossing pattern (as detailed above). Each group is after mastery of the tossing craft with three tossable objects - smooth and confident actions (you and the group can decide what mastery will look like). And, of course, no drops. (NOTE: Each group will need three of the same kind of object (e.g., 3 tennis balls, 3 stuffed animals, 3 Thumballs. Each group must have a different looking set of objects.)
When the three groups have reached mastery, they are integrated together into one big circle. The objective: Each set of (three) objects must go through the tossing pattern of the group (the objects belong to) and through the tossing pattern of one other group - then, set down on the ground. Remember, objects may not be tossed to someone standing next to the tosser.
This is a timed activity and multiple rounds are expected to see if there can be process improvement. You can play it to where there is a stop-restart if an object is dropped or have the group figure out how they will manage the drops (e.g., an object drops it stays on the ground and 10 seconds is added to the overall time).
This one too, I see lots to talk about: Planning and practice, acceptance, patience, leadership, integrating ideas, success & failure, accomplishment (or not) and celebrating the wins!
Let us know how it goes! And, share, in the Comments, a favorite Group Juggle variation if you have one.
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
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