Post by Michelle Parratt on Jul 5, 2006 8:34:52 GMT -5
Hello! Just so you know, I apologize in advance, as I didn't re-write it. I just scanned it. So, if some of the spelling is wrong, its just because my scanner isn't too great.
Enjoy!
L. D. #8 - PROBLEM SOLVING
"BLIND POLYGON"
Materials Needed:
One Rope: 50-100 ft. Long - ends tied together so there is no open end.
Blindfolds: Enough for the entire section.
Open Area: At very least, large enough to fit the rope (ends tied) at its fullest extension.
Instructions:
~ Sit the group in a circle, place the rope in the center of the circle (doesn't need to be laid out well, in fact, it's almost better to be 'jumbled' up).
- Explain that, when instructed to begin, they will have the task of turning that rope into a perfect square with the following parameters:
- participants must remain in physical contact with one another from the moment the group is instructed to 'begin' through to completion of the task. Physical contact is constituted by direct physical contact (holding hands, linking arms, whatever), or by linking via the rope itself (if two people side by side are both touching the rope, they are considered 'in contact'). ~ if tapped on the head by a facilitator/instructing leader, the 'tapped' individual is not allowed to speak until they are 'tapped' once more. This parameter is optional - decided by those leading the initiative.
~ Next, ask the group how long they would care to plan for this initiative - planning must take place without movement, while remaining in the circle, and without touching the rope. Once they decide how long they care to plan, let them plan for the allotted time. By the end of the plan, make sure they remember that the first thing they need to do is to get into physical contact before they can proceed to retrieve the rope. Once planning is over, the group is not to speak until instructed to 'begin'.
- Now that planning is finished, ask the group to remain silent as you pass out the blindfolds and request the participants put them on. It is important that the participant not know about the blindfolds until this point. - Remember, they should still be silent.
- Once all blindfolds are in place and it is confirmed that no one can see, instruct the group to
'begin'. Perhaps remind them that they can speak once they begin, though if 'tapped' on the head, they must go 'silent' until 'tapped' once more.
- As the group begins and continues, observe the process. Tapping heads only when necessary — is there only one person speaking? What will the group do if that one voice is silenced? Just don't silence every speaker otherwise the group will never get anywhere.
~ Once the group feels they are finished, have them place the rope under their feet in order to hold its shape and then instruct them to take off their blindfolds.
Great Job Everyone!!!
Debriefing:
Following the "What, So What, Now What" model with a few additional options.
These are the questions I enjoy asking with this activity. Remember, this activity usually gets the group really going on communication and problem solving and it is interesting to see the leadership styles that come out in this activity, so plan for a healthy debrief.
~ How do you feel? In one word, how do you feel? (Go around quickly to each person) ~ So what did we just do? (Or some similar 'What?' question.)
~ What animal leadership styles did you see in the activity? Which one did you play? Was it the—one you thought you would play? ~ So what importance does that hold for us? (Or some similar 'So What?' question.)
- How did it feel to be silenced? (I really enjoy asking this one.)
~ For the rest, how did it feel to have the leading voice(s) be silenced? (I enjoy asking this one
even more!) ~ Any other comments about the process? (What else did we see? What else does it mean?)
- Now where do we go from here? What's different now? What did we learn? How does this relate to out other avenues? (Or some other 'Now What?' question.)
Feel free to alter/shift these questions as you care to - these are just some of the standards that work for me well.
Troubleshooting
• Make sure you know exactly how many blindfolds you need. Keep them well hidden until needed.
• After planning time has concluded, and when blindfolds are being passed out, you will need to keep the group quiet and focused.
• When tapping on heads, leaders in charge must agree on who to tap, and use good judgment. Example: a student who is speaking for the first time should be allowed to speak.
S.O.L.V.E. Problem Solving Model
Systematically Identify The Problem:
- What is the problem? Why is it a problem? How did it arise? Who does it affect and who needs to deal with it?
Open Up To Possible Solutions:
- Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem. Once they have been explored, decide on one solution to execute
Lay Out A Plan Of Action:
- Lay out a detailed, systematic plan of action for your solution.
Validate The Plan:
- 'Make it good/Make it happen!' Activate or execute the plan and commit to following it through.
Evaluate The Outcome:
- Take the time to evaluate the success of your plan, if not satisfied, go back to the brainstormed ideas and explore another option.
Expert vs. Novice
Expert Problem Solvers
(Critical Thinkers)
*Focus on key words, phrases and directions in defining the problem
*Access relevant information from previous experience
*Break problem down into manageable units
*Consider different ways of approaching the problem solving process
*Assume that a systematic approach to the task will lean to success
*Persist when things get tough
Novice Problem Solvers
(Uncritical Thinkers)
*Rush immediately to consider solutions
*Think each problem is unique
*See problem as a whole
*Focus on the task - look for the one way
*Do not see how reasoning will solve the problem
*Quit or await 'divine intervention'
Enjoy!
L. D. #8 - PROBLEM SOLVING
"BLIND POLYGON"
Materials Needed:
One Rope: 50-100 ft. Long - ends tied together so there is no open end.
Blindfolds: Enough for the entire section.
Open Area: At very least, large enough to fit the rope (ends tied) at its fullest extension.
Instructions:
~ Sit the group in a circle, place the rope in the center of the circle (doesn't need to be laid out well, in fact, it's almost better to be 'jumbled' up).
- Explain that, when instructed to begin, they will have the task of turning that rope into a perfect square with the following parameters:
- participants must remain in physical contact with one another from the moment the group is instructed to 'begin' through to completion of the task. Physical contact is constituted by direct physical contact (holding hands, linking arms, whatever), or by linking via the rope itself (if two people side by side are both touching the rope, they are considered 'in contact'). ~ if tapped on the head by a facilitator/instructing leader, the 'tapped' individual is not allowed to speak until they are 'tapped' once more. This parameter is optional - decided by those leading the initiative.
~ Next, ask the group how long they would care to plan for this initiative - planning must take place without movement, while remaining in the circle, and without touching the rope. Once they decide how long they care to plan, let them plan for the allotted time. By the end of the plan, make sure they remember that the first thing they need to do is to get into physical contact before they can proceed to retrieve the rope. Once planning is over, the group is not to speak until instructed to 'begin'.
- Now that planning is finished, ask the group to remain silent as you pass out the blindfolds and request the participants put them on. It is important that the participant not know about the blindfolds until this point. - Remember, they should still be silent.
- Once all blindfolds are in place and it is confirmed that no one can see, instruct the group to
'begin'. Perhaps remind them that they can speak once they begin, though if 'tapped' on the head, they must go 'silent' until 'tapped' once more.
- As the group begins and continues, observe the process. Tapping heads only when necessary — is there only one person speaking? What will the group do if that one voice is silenced? Just don't silence every speaker otherwise the group will never get anywhere.
~ Once the group feels they are finished, have them place the rope under their feet in order to hold its shape and then instruct them to take off their blindfolds.
Great Job Everyone!!!
Debriefing:
Following the "What, So What, Now What" model with a few additional options.
These are the questions I enjoy asking with this activity. Remember, this activity usually gets the group really going on communication and problem solving and it is interesting to see the leadership styles that come out in this activity, so plan for a healthy debrief.
~ How do you feel? In one word, how do you feel? (Go around quickly to each person) ~ So what did we just do? (Or some similar 'What?' question.)
~ What animal leadership styles did you see in the activity? Which one did you play? Was it the—one you thought you would play? ~ So what importance does that hold for us? (Or some similar 'So What?' question.)
- How did it feel to be silenced? (I really enjoy asking this one.)
~ For the rest, how did it feel to have the leading voice(s) be silenced? (I enjoy asking this one
even more!) ~ Any other comments about the process? (What else did we see? What else does it mean?)
- Now where do we go from here? What's different now? What did we learn? How does this relate to out other avenues? (Or some other 'Now What?' question.)
Feel free to alter/shift these questions as you care to - these are just some of the standards that work for me well.
Troubleshooting
• Make sure you know exactly how many blindfolds you need. Keep them well hidden until needed.
• After planning time has concluded, and when blindfolds are being passed out, you will need to keep the group quiet and focused.
• When tapping on heads, leaders in charge must agree on who to tap, and use good judgment. Example: a student who is speaking for the first time should be allowed to speak.
S.O.L.V.E. Problem Solving Model
Systematically Identify The Problem:
- What is the problem? Why is it a problem? How did it arise? Who does it affect and who needs to deal with it?
Open Up To Possible Solutions:
- Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem. Once they have been explored, decide on one solution to execute
Lay Out A Plan Of Action:
- Lay out a detailed, systematic plan of action for your solution.
Validate The Plan:
- 'Make it good/Make it happen!' Activate or execute the plan and commit to following it through.
Evaluate The Outcome:
- Take the time to evaluate the success of your plan, if not satisfied, go back to the brainstormed ideas and explore another option.
Expert vs. Novice
Expert Problem Solvers
(Critical Thinkers)
*Focus on key words, phrases and directions in defining the problem
*Access relevant information from previous experience
*Break problem down into manageable units
*Consider different ways of approaching the problem solving process
*Assume that a systematic approach to the task will lean to success
*Persist when things get tough
Novice Problem Solvers
(Uncritical Thinkers)
*Rush immediately to consider solutions
*Think each problem is unique
*See problem as a whole
*Focus on the task - look for the one way
*Do not see how reasoning will solve the problem
*Quit or await 'divine intervention'
