TEAMBUILDING
An important skill that successful students have is the ability to work together as a team and to be able to solve problems. With that in mind, student in my class are faced with challenges that they must overcome and do so working as a team.
DRAGON'S BRIDGE
Students, working in teams, had to build a bridge across a canyon to flee an approaching dragon. The wood blocks they used had to always be in physical contact and they were not allowed to touch the concrete once they step upon the bridge. Fastest team across wins.
CIRCLE TAG
While blindfolded a student surrounded by his/her classmates holding hands in a large circle must tag any other student. The blindfolded student can move but so does the circle. An amazing feeling as you know people are all around you and you just can't find them if the group works well together.
THE TRUST FALL
Students learn to trust each other through their annual trust fall. Students always remark what an amazing experience it is as they fall from the ladder into their peers hands.
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
In pairs, then threes and then whole groups students learn to trust themselves into others' hands.
THE SPIDER WEB
Working together and using only themselves have to brainstorm a plan for getting the entire team through the spider web without breaking the web or waking the spider. Great lessons on trust, teamwork and caring for others. Definitely a highlight of the year.
TURNSTILE
Students have to run through two consecutive spinning jump ropes and get themselves and a "blinded" partner through on every turn of the rope. If a turn of the rope happens without a runner they have to start over.
KING SNAKE AND THE RATTLER
In this activity one blindfolded student has to tag the other using only their hearing to guide them. Think of it as a blindfolded "Marco Polo" without the water.
ESCAPE HATCH
In this activity the entire group must run through an escape hatch (a spinning pvc pipe) while it is rolling.
THE HUMAN LADDER
Students work together to transport one student from point A to point B as fast as they can using a human ladder.