This game helps schoolchildren get past just names and get to know each other on a more personal level. It is about taking time to get to know someone. It provides a play space to learn and practice friendship.
1. Set a timer for five minutes.
2. Instruct the students to talk with as many other students as possible in the time period.
3. Request that they ask questions about topics such as favorite foods, number of siblings or pets, what they do for fun, and so on.
4. Tell them they will be shaking hands and making eye contact.
Ask each student at the end of the allotted time to determine how many people he or she met and how many can remember all the names of the people they met. Inquire as to what they can take away from the game about meeting others and what makes it easier to meet new people.
This game is designed to encourage each student to consider his own strengths and positive values. It also allows students, in a fun and non-judgmental environment, to stretch their imaginations.
1. Explain that each student has superhero potential and qualities.
2. Tell the participants to design their own superhero identity, using paper and pencils.
3. Inform them the superhero should represent each student's best real traits such as helping others, and also some superhuman traits they would like to have--such as flying or x-ray vision.
At the end of the allotted time, form teams of three and have them share their superhero selves with one another for five minutes. Ask each group to determine how they could work together to form a superhero team and describe what that team would look like. Conclude the game by requesting that students explain who is a real superhero to them and why.
This game is designed to develop and foster peacemaker skills and create diversity appreciation and sensitivity, as well as to encourage the appreciation of difference. As our world grows ever smaller, it is important for children to learn to be tolerant and open to new ideas.
1. Ask the students to think of all the colors they can.
2. Write the colors on a flip chart as the students name colors.
3. Divide the group into teams of two to four students.
4. Instruct each team to copy the list of colors from the flip-chart.
5. Allot 5 to 10 minutes for the student teams to find items that match each color and write them on their list.
At the end of the game, pose a series of questions to the group concerning how they found the items. Ask if they worked as a team or individually. Inquire as to what new things they noticed or discovered about their surroundings. Wrap up the game by discussing what life would be like if there was only one color for everything.
This game is intended for grade-school groups of six or more students. It focuses on brainstorming, overcoming fear and provides physical activity.
1. Select three children to be the starting snakes.
2. Instruct the snakes to face the other children and form a gutter by standing in a line with wide spaces between them.
3. Have the teacher or one of the snakes shout "snake in the gutter."
4. Encourage the children to try to run through the gutter openings without being tagged by a snake. Those who get tagged remain in the gutter, becoming snakes. Those who make it through get another attempt at running through the gutter.
5. Continue the game until all students have been caught.
The teacher provides help in brainstorming to any child who is afraid of making a run through the gutter. Another version of this game is to partner students and let them come up with their own plans for getting through the gutter.