TOPIC AREA: Communication
CONCEPT: In our busy world, we have to communicate with more than one person at a time. We
have multiple relationships that we are dealing with. It would be nice if we could just concentrate on one interaction at a time, but the reality is that we can’t. We need to be able to balance our relationships and be able to shift our attention as the needs shift.
METHOD: Classroom Activity
TIME FRAME: 30 minutes plus discussion time MATERIALS NEEDED:
One eight foot length of string or rope per every four people Three blindfolds per every four people
ACTIVITY: Divide your class into groups of four people. Give each group an eight foot string or rope
and three blindfolds. Explain to them the hazards of this activity and stress the importance of safety. Explain that each person must take personal responsibility for their actions and act in a safe manner. If anyone does not do this, then he should immediately be removed from the activity. It is strongly recommended that you have two or three people to help you keep this activity a safe one. Their job will be to keep people from straying off course. The activity starts with three people in the group putting their blindfolds on. Have the group of four line up single file with the non-blindfolded member third in line. All four people grab on to the rope or string. They may all be on the same side or different sides. It is easier if they are all on the same side. They are not to let go of the rope or string at any time during the activity.
The object is for the third person in line to lead the group through the course. You or your designated leader should be in front showing them the course. The groups should go through the course single file by fours following you or your designated leader. Do not let them choose their own course or stray from the one that you have indicated for them to follow. This becomes a safety concern. The course should be hard enough to challenge your age group. You might have them go under trees, around a car, under a jungle gym, walk over a log or through a gate. Just be sure that there are plenty of twists and turns that have to be negotiated during the walk. Judge for yourself the amount of time each person should lead. Five minutes is an average time for each leader. The non-blindfolded person will give verbal commands to his group as they negotiate the course. No one may talk but the leader. This rule may be altered depending on the age of your group. No one may touch anything but the string or rope. There will be obvious problems for the leader. He will have people in front of him that are difficult to control due to the distance, and he will have a person behind him that he might forget all about due to the challenges that he sees up front. Remind your class that if they cheat and peek out from under their blindfolds, some of the affect of the activity will be lost. After about five minutes, rotate each group’s line so that everyone in the group will get a chance to experience each of the four positions in the line.
Be sure to stress safety before this activity. Remove anyone who is behaving in an unsafe manner. DISCUSSION IDEAS:
How did you feel when you were the first person in line? How did you feel when you were the second person in line? How did you feel when you were the leader?
How did you feel when you were the last person in line? As the leader what problems did you encounter?
As the last person in line did you ever feel forgotten by the leader? How safe did you feel during this activity?
What was the hardest part of this activity? Why?
As the leader, how much in control of the group did you feel? How clear were the instructions that the leader gave?
What can this activity teach us about communication?
Describe a situation where you felt that you were dealing with too many people at once. Describe a situation where you felt no one was in control.
How can we be sure that our communication is clear and easily understood?
What kinds of questions should we ask of a person when they are telling us something?
As we increase the number of people we deal with does communication become harder? Why or why not?
FROGMAN
TOPIC AREA: Addiction
CONCEPT: When you are out of breath and you need to take another one there is no question that
you will. You don’t sit around thinking about it nor do you delay doing so. An addiction is very similar! You must have whatever it is that you are addicted to. We have watered down the concept of addiction by using phrases such as Choc-o-holic or “I need a soda pop or I’ll die”. Kids need to know that an addiction can take control over their body and dictate their behavior. The addiction will cause you to do things you normally wouldn’t do, just to satisfy the addiction.
Everyone does not become addicted at the same rate. Some people are genetically predisposed to certain kinds of addiction. If your parents or grandparents were alcoholics, then your chances of becoming an alcoholic are greater. The length of time needed to become an alcoholic is also reduced. Kids become addicted faster than adults because their bodies have not matured physically yet. Different drugs can also cause you to become addicted faster than others.
METHOD: Classroom activity
TIME FRAME: 5 minutes plus discussion time MATERIALS NEEDED: None
ACITIVITY: The object of the activity is to have the students see how long they can hold their
breath. Have everyone stand up. Have them breath deeply a couple of times. Take air in slowly and let it out slowly. Now explain that you will count to three. When you reach three everyone is to take a deep breath and hold it for as long as they can. When they need to take a second breath, they are to sit down in their seats. Caution them to not hold their breath so long that they feel faint or are ready to pass out.
DISCUSSION IDEAS:
Could you have held your breath for just a little longer than you did? Why not? Could you have held your breath for another three minutes?
What would you have done if necessary to get a breath of air? Did everyone sit down and need a second breath at the same time?
Why do you think some people could hold their breath longer than others? Do you think that all drugs are addicting at the same rate?