Working Together

Ukens, Lorraine L. (1997).  Working Together: 55 Team Games.  San Francisco: Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer.

Here are some sample techniques from the book.

1) Good Fortune: using a word processor, make a sheet of topic-related riddles.  Each riddle has several clues, each with the same number printed after it.  Make as many duplicates of each set of riddles as you've got groups, and as many clues per riddle as people per group.  Cut the paper into small strips with one clue on each.  Use a rolling pin to roll out Play-Doh (or other type of clay that hardens when exposed to air) into a thin sheet.  Using a crescent-shaped cookie or ravioli cutter, make "fortune cookies" by  inserting a riddle clue and folding the "dough" over to form a fortune-cookie shape.  Let dry overnight  (TIP: put each riddle in a separate bag and then keep all the "Riddle 1" bags together, all the "Riddle 2" bags together, etc).  During class, divide students into groups and give participants one "cookie" each (explain they're inedible!), making sure that all cookies pertain to the same riddle (using the same riddle on each round controls for riddle difficulty and makes it a true competition).  The first team to answer their riddle is the winner.

2) Rocket Race: divide students into groups and have them do some topic-related writing assignment (e.g., multiple-choice questions written about the day's topic).  After they're finished, tell them that for once their contribution won't be decided on merit, but on problem-solving ability.  Give each group a sausage-shaped balloon, a straw, tape, scissors, and 25 feet of fishing line or string.   The objective is to construct a balloon rocket that will carry one page of their best questions as far as possible along the taut string.  Give them ten minutes to experiment to find a way to fold the paper and attach everything to the string, then have them launch their "rockets" one by one.   Whichever group's page gets the furthest wins! If more than one team succeeds, have a "play-off".   Give extra credit or small prizes to the winning team (or agree to put one or more of their questions on the exam!).

3) Square Off: divide a small class into either two or four groups of 4-5 persons each.  For two groups, use masking tape to make a large tic tac toe board on the floor (you guessed it---living tic tac toe!).  Like Hollywood squares, a contestant has to answer a question to win the right to occupy the square of their choice; if they answer incorrectly, someone from the other team gets a chance.

4) Unbelievable:  Form teams of up to five persons each.  Each group gets a sheet with five or so topic-related sentences.  Instruct them that all of the statements are true---except one.  In five minutes, they have to reach consensus which statement is false.  Have each group give their answer and explain why they chose it.

5)  Soccer Fan:  Give everyone a sheet of paper and tell them to construct a fan.  They can use any technique they like but cannot use anything but the sheet of paper.  Clean off your instructor's desk or another flat desk or table and tape small identical "goal" boxes slightly below surface level on opposing ends. Put a small sticky dot or piece of tape in the center of the table.  Divide participants into an even number of teams (2, 4, or 6 teams) with up to five members per team.  Have each team elect a "goalkeeper".  Pick two teams: the goalkeepers position themselves next to a goal box while their team members fan out around the table.  Place a ping pong ball on the mark on the center of the table and let the game begin!  Teams have to fan the ball into their opponents goal box while defending their own goal box.  No touching of the ball is allowed---if someone touches it, they go in the "penalty box" for a designated time period.  If the ball goes off the table, you place it back on the mark.

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