Take your team from ‘Forming’ and ‘Storming’ to ‘Norming’ and ‘Performing’ with these activities...
all you need is yourself, or someone else willing to lead the group, and a tarp or old sheet...
Name Game:
Ask participants to share your name' and ‘show us your best dance move’!
Icebreaker: Quick Draw (Tarp drop)
After participants have
played an initial name game, separate the group in half. Have two
leaders/facilitators hold up a tarp or sheet, then each group will send one
member up. The goal is to say the name of the person on the other side of the
sheet first. Count to 3 and drop the sheet. You can just enjoy playing or keep
score. Mix up the teams and play again!
Building Comfort and Communication: The Tarp Flip
Gather your group on top
of tarp or sheet, preferably with two visually distinct sides. Instruct them to
try and flip it over without stepping off of the tarp. Identify a consequence
for teammates stepping off, such as having the entire team restart or continue
on with out being able to speak to one another. You could time the group and
then challenge them to set a goal to beat. For another variation, start
blindfolding one participant at a time at random as the group works together to
beat the challenge. By blindfolding a participant after each minute that
passes, the group will develop a grater sense of urgency to complete the
challenge, and it adds to the fun for older groups. For an even more advanced
version, instruct participants that they may not use their hands during the
challenge. Be sure to celebrate your success after flipping the tarp completely
over, and discuss how teammates worked together to achieve their goal.
Building Communication, Problem Solving, Personal Accountability to the Community, and Observational Skills: Maze of life
As demonstrated on the
tarp, create a grid with whatever (safe) means you have. For example, use chalk
on blacktop or duct tape on a tarp to make a 6’x8’ grid with around 4-8 rows
and columns. (Depending on desired length and complexity, given age, time
parameters and group size. The smaller the easier.) On separate sheet of
paper, draw the grid as it appears on your “maze” (grid). On your paper
(prepare before group arrives) draw a path going from a designated entrance to
a designated exit. Participants can move forward and backward, side-to-side,
but not diagonally, so draw your path accordingly. It is best to be as clear in
your drawing as possible, try walking the path yourself. Consider creating a
path that would require unanticipated movements, such as stepping backwards.
(This leads to valuable material in debriefing time!)
When participants arrive:
“Welcome to the maze of life, this is a silent activity during which your
mouths are frozen shut and tongues frozen too, so there is no verbal
communication between participants.” Each facilitator has a unique way of
indicating nonverbal communication is allowed, like hand signals and facial
expressions. This activity is best for older groups, 7th grade to adult, and you
presentation will vary depending on the age. Explain directions of
movement and goal to get the entire team from the entrance to the exit of the
maze. Let participants know how they will know if they are ‘on the right path’
or ‘hit a wall’ (I use a bell and make an ‘ugh’ sound). Instruct the team
each person must make it thought the maze once before a teammate can enter a
second time, and each person must go through (who has not already made it
through) each round.
Activity is complete when
everyone is through the maze. This activity, as with the others, should be
debriefed. Please talk to your participants about what they were feeling and
what their successes were as individuals and as a team.
Culmination Activity, Putting it all together: Sea of Discontent
This will be provided in email format to workshop participants.
*This
is a follow-up to the Discoveries Workshop, ‘Teambuilding on a Dime’. If you
are interested in learning more about the content of this workshop, or to
schedule a workshop tailored to meet your needs, please email monkeyfistfacilitation@gmail.com