Katie Pancoast's Games of Respect, Cooperation, Strategy, Communication and most importantly FUN!

The following standards can be used for all games:

2.2- Health enhancing personal, interpersonal, and life skills

A4: Assess the use of active and reflective listening.

D1: Analyze how character development can be enhanced and supported by individual, group and team activities.

2.5- Utilize safe, efficient, and effective movement for a healthy lifestyle
       D1: Analyze participant and observer behaviors for evidence of good sportsmanship.

4.6: Develop mutual respect

4.2: Work cooperatively with others to accomplish a task

Respect Relay

Overview

Respect relay is a game of teamwork, strategy, fitness and concentration.

Students are separated into two teams and must spell the word respect.

Equipment

• "Respect Rocks" or anything with letters on it.
• Fitness cards: 10 jumping jacks, 10 push-ups, 25 crunches (exercises to be used when a student selects the wrong letter or ÒRockÓ.

How to Play

The students are divided into groups depending on the number of "Respect Relay" rock sets and lined up at one end of the gym while the rocks (placed letter down) are at the far end. The students race down and select a random rock. The goal is for the students to correctly spell the word respect, selecting the R first then E next C and so on. If the first student picks up the R he/she either brings it back to the group or places it face up for the next student to see. If the second student runs up to the rocks and turns over the wrong letter, he/she selects a fitness card and brings it back to the team to complete. After the exercise is completed the next player can run for another rock.

The game goes on until one team successfully spells the word "respect". The object is to make the teams small and have a variety of exercises for maximum movement.

Teaching Cues

• Remind the students they must pay attention to the rocks previously selected by their teammates or they will waste a turn.
• Begin the game with a conversation about the meaning of "Respect". Ask the kids what it means to respect themselves, others, and the environment.

Problem Solving Power

Equipment

• 3*5 cards with problems for students to solve, for example, math, word problems or anything that requires a solution.
• 3*5 cards with the solution to the problem (I use a deck of playing cards).
• Poly spots, or small cones to hide the solution.

How to Play

Write a problem on a 3*5 note card, i.e. 5*5 and write the solution (25) on 5 separate cards (can use playing cards). The students are split up into teams, lined up at one end of the gym with a pile of problem cards several feet in front of them. The first student runs up, grabs a problem and brings it back to their team to solve. Once the team discovers the solution the students (one at a time) must retrieve 5 cards with the correct answer on them. If the wrong solution is selected, the students turn it back over and hide it under the poly spot or cone and the fitness cards can be used to make it more challenging.

The game is over once all the problems are solved and the students found 5 solution cards to each problem given. Adding more solution cards can lengthen the game and mixing in some random joker cards.

Teaching Cues/ helpful hints

• Remind the students that it is also a game of concentration so they should pay attention to the cards their teammates are selecting.
• Make small teams and have plenty of cards to choose from.
• At the last 5 minutes of class have each group pick up the problems and solutions but keep them separate to make it easier for the next set up.

Galactic Growing a.k.a. Toxic Waste

Overview

Galactic growing requires a group of students to transport an object (a seed) from one end of the gym to another using a bucket without touching or dropping the object. It requires communication, teamwork and strategy.

Equipment

• Transport Object: empty containers that can be cut or drilled with holes (cereal boxes, oatmeal containers, buckets).
• String to attach to the bucket for handles.
• Seeds: shuttlecock, stone, beanbag, or anything else in your equipment closet that will sit on top of your bucket.
• Growing container: empty box, flowerpot, poly spotÉ.

How to Play

Divide the class depending on the number of transfer containers available

(3 buckets with 10 strings will equal 10 kids per bucket, etc). Next, provide the scenario for the students and use your imagination: Loggers accidentally cut down 10,000 acres of forest and your job is to plant the seeds for the future generations. However, you must not touch the seed or the bucket and the only way you can make it across the field is by holding the handle on the string.

To make the activity more challenging, provide obstacles for your students to maneuver around in the gym and use a smaller growing container.

Giant Jump Rope

Overview

The students will learn how to work cooperatively, develop strategies, problem solve and have fun with their peers (we hope).

Equipment: Long rope

How to Play

The object of the game is for the class to run through the rope (without jumping) as two people are turning it, without the rope touching anyone or bouncing more than twice. To make the game more challenging, tell the students the rope can only bounce once before another student runs through.

Rope Progression

• One student at a time; two at a time; three; five at a time; seven at a time and finally the entire class

Rules and helpful teaching cues:

• Remind the students to communicate with the entire group, not just their partner.
• If the rope touches someone or bounces more than the given number, the entire class must start over.
• When the number of students is uneven, the group must figure out that one person has to run back to help the last person through.

Raging River

Overview:

Raging river is a simple cooperative game that emphasizes cooperation, communication, strategy and fun.

Equipment:

• Poly spots, or anything the students can step on that is a comparable size to a poly spot.

How to Play

The object of the game is for students to cross a "Raging River" from one end of the gym to the other using the ÒRocksÓ (poly spots) as stepping-stones. Each person on the team must maintain contact with the next person as soon as the step out onto the rock. A ÒrockÓ must be passed down the team to the first person, which drops the rock and steps on it to advance across the river. The students must then pass successive rocks down the team to continue advancing across the "river".

• Split the class up into 2 equal groups, or more if you have a large class.
• Hands must connect each team and the first person drops a"Rock" to step on to cross the river. The next student must figure out a way to get the next rock next to first person so they can continue down the river.
• If a student loses contact with a poly spot it has to be removed (swept away by the current).
• Remind the students they are racing against time and if they work together and listen to everyone's suggestions they will be more successful.