Games that teach

Hand's on, physical activities are so powerful for reinforcing lessons and concepts!

-Team Building Games

-A friend posted info on the following book for ideas:
"104 Activities That Build: Self-Esteem, Teamwork, Communication, Anger Management, Self Discovery, Coping Skills" by Alanna Jones-the following is a quote from the book:
 Education/Group Games. "...this popular book makes teaching and learning by playing games a simple and fun experience for everyone. Games can be used to encourage people to modify their behavior, increase interaction with others, start discussions, address issues and build relationships. ... Games that can be used in any setting with minimal budget! It's more than pen/pencil worksheets; it's interactive and fun." 

-Scouting youth leadership programs teach great activities that work as well.  Many games that are commonly played in an area can have lessons tied into it.  For instance, we played a game called "Down by the Banks," which requires focus and continuous play.  We spoke about how when one person doesn't do what they are supposed to, it holds up the whole thing, and the end result is affected.

Leadership games: 
-many games that could be used to teach different concepts: http://4h.missouri.edu/projects/curriculum/10minuteleadershiplessons.pdf
-Follow the Leader group games
-Team-building games

-For more "Synergy of the Mind" type activities that try and incorporate scientific principles, as well as different spacial/creation strengths, it is fun to mix building challenges and creative brainstorming.  This helps the youth not only have to work together, but they soon learn how to appreciate other people's strengths.  For some ideas, you can try some of the following that we have used in the past (one nice thing is that each individual group that is divided out for these activities is different, so activities from the past can be re-used, learned from, and improved upon as the same students learned from their past experience and try the same challenge again with new peers):
-given certain resources (pencils, rubber bands, popsicle sticks, 6 inches duct tape, etc) create a catapult that can launch a ping pong ball the farthest
-given various sandwich/lunch creating supplies (lunch meat, olives, tomatoes, chips, dressing, pickles, different kids of breads, etc), make it into some type of "sculpture"
-use whatever supplies that you have on hand, divide them equally between groups and challenge them to build high, build strong, build long, etc. with whatever limitations you chose to give them.
-have a more long-term project where they have to work on it for a couple of months, like the one where they had to invent something in a given scenario that they could market, and then they had to use ads, commercials, and jingles to try and "sell" it.
-show them some type of abstract picture and go around in the team's circle, having them tell you what it looks like or what it can be used for--give points for an answer and more points for creative ones.
* I like to give points for the different projects based upon "team-work"

Following are some ideas and resources you can use for more scientific/building challenges or activities:
http://www.mcrel.org/whelmers/
www.ehow.com/list_7408675_fun-science-challenges-kids.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/educator/act_cha_ei.html
http://adventureskids.blogspot.com/2011/01/lego-building-challenges.html (I thought this looked like a fun way for the lego-geniuses to show off a little...)
http://www.swopnet.com/ed/OM/spontaneouses.html (I love using any of the Odyssey of the Mind "spontaneous" activities--that are not copy-righted, of course.)
http://ncome.org/spontane.html (it looks like there are a bunch of ideas on this website that are Odyssey of the Mind type problems)

Diversity activity

Marni suggested this activity for helping the youth not only find out about the talents that others around them may have, but appreciate them:

"Basically we make up a test with questions that are very specific to knowledge or talents each youth have, say 3-4 questions per youth.  When we are ready, we pass it out and maybe tell them we just want to get an idea of where everyone is knowledge-wise as we start the year off, and maybe give them 30 seconds to look over it before we start.  After they realize there is a LOT they won't be able to answer, we give them a final instruction just before they start - that they can work on it as a group, and have the person they get the answer from sign next to the question.

A great opportunity to see the variety of talents in the group, and help them value the knowledge they each and personally have.

For instance...

How many years does it take for a lemon tree to produce fruit if the tree is grown from a seed?

What is the basic rhythm of the tango?

Approximately how many days can a person survive without food?

Recite the poem...

Recite the scripture Abraham 3:22-23 (I know some still remember that!).

Draw out a C chord for the guitar.

What notes are played on the piano for a (some tougher piano chord)?

In Lord of the Rings, .....

Sing a solo of your choice.

Some great math questions for [the math whizzes]."

Coming up with a unique Creed for your group

We started doing this the first year, but I didn't follow-through like I should have to make it good.

Basically, we were going to put the following idea together on a poster board or some other medium, and put it on the wall to remind the youth what they committed themselves to do.  My friend Marni put the process and reasoning behind this well:

"[This idea] came from a marriage/family mini class I went to at a stake RS night a few months back.  They talked about their family creed, and gave out copies.  It lists several things things they will do every day, things they will do every week, every month, every year, and that they always strive to do.  At the top it says, "As part of the Johnstun Family, I'll do my part and help every member of our family, so we will have no empty chairs in the celestial kingdom."  It would be cool to have the youth take time to come up with a Vanguard Youth Creed, totally created by the youth.  If they are setting the goals and expectations together themselves (like 'Every week come prepared with Apprentice inspirements,' 'Every month we go to the temple'), hopefully they would be more willing and excited to keep them."

Sample Long-term Synergy of the Mind project

                                                            JUDGING SHEET    

The Problem

Your team is to create a minimum of three live characters.  These must be Hero, Sidekick, and a distressed person.  Your solution to the problem is to be developed around this scenario; Hero and Sidekick are to stand in the Neighborhood.  Each travels with a suitcase.  They open their suitcases, one of both of which contains the parts to a vehicle.  The vehicle will then be assembled.  The person in distress may not assist in the vehicle’s assembly.  Hero and/or Sidekick will then leave the Neighborhood on the vehicle and proceed to relieve a person in distress, stop a crime, rescue a lost kitten, and do two good deeds of the team’s choosing.  The five tasks may be completed in any order.  Then the vehicle will be disassembled and replaced in the suitcase(s).  The person relieved from distress may assist in the disassembling of the vehicle.

The Spirit of the Problem is to create a scenario that includes the hero, sidekick, and a distressed person and to design and to construct a vehicle that will fit into one or two suitcases.  The team is to assemble its vehicle, drive it, turn it, stop it, and perform the specified tasks, the disassemble the vehicle.

The Competition

1. The team, suitcases, and props, etc. will be in the staging area.  When time begins it will be the team’s responsibility to complete the tasks.

2. Hero and sidekick will go to the neighborhood with their suitcases.

3. The vehicle will be assembled in the neighborhood.

4. When the tasks are completed, the vehicle will be returned to the neighborhood and will be disassembled.

5. If time runs out, the team must stop.

Scoring

1. The creativity of the vehicle 1 to 50 points                                                                          __________

2. The creativity of the characters and the scenario 1 to 25 points                                           __________

3. The appearance of the vehicle 1 to 15 points                                                                        __________

4. The creativity of the 1^st good deed, 1 to 15 points (if completed)                                        __________

5. The creativity of the 2^nd good deed, 1 to 15 points (if completed)                                       __________

6. The creativity of the distress and the relief of the distressed person. (1 to 15 points)          __________

7. The creativity of the hero and sidekick stopping a crime 1 to 15 points                              __________

8. The creativity of rescuing the lost kitten 1 to 10 points                                                        __________

9. Returning the kitten to the neighborhood 5 points                                                               __________

10. Under the cost limit; lower cost = higher score (Under $50= +5 points, under $40= +10 points, under $30=+15 points.)                                                                                                                        __________

Penalties

1. Any part(s) of the vehicle or task apparatus not inside the suitcase(s) at the start, -5 to -50 points.

                                                                                                                                                __________

2. Hero or sidekick leaves the vehicle or touches the floor outside the neighborhood (each offense) - 10 points.                                                                                                                                          __________

3. Floor contact points of vehicle go out of bounds (each offense), -10 points                      __________

4. Violation of the spirit of the problem (each offense), -5 to -100                                         __________

5. Outside assistance (each offense) -5 to -100                                                                       __________

6. Unsportsmanlike conduct (each offense) -5 to -25                                                              __________    **The entire vehicle must be contained in one or two closed suitcases. Each suitcase must have outside dimensions not exceeding 23" x 31" x 10" and may be made of any material.**

7. Each suitcase that exceeds any dimension by ½” or less, -25                                               __________   

8.  Each suitcase that exceeds any dimension by ½ “ or more, -100                                        __________

9. Damage to floor or premises, -5 to -100                                                                              __________

10. Distressed person, while being relieved, assists in assembling the vehicle or comes in contact with the floor outside the distressed person’s area, -25 pts                                                                             __________

11. Any vehicular parts outside the neighborhood during assembly or disassembly (each offense, -10 points) maximum= -20                                                                                                                        __________

12. Kitten touches floor between park and neighborhood (each offense), -10 pts.                  __________

13. Over cost limit, -5 to -50 points                                                                                         __________

Style (Elaboration of the problem solution)

1. The appearance of hero, 1-10 points                                                                                  __________

2. The appearance of sidekick, 1-10 points.                                                                            __________

3. Use of special effects, 1-10 points                                                                                      __________

4. Free choice, 1-10 points                                                                                                      __________

5. Overall effect, 1-10 points                                                                                                   __________

Judges name: __________________________                                                         TOTAL           __________

COMMENTS: ________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                               

Limitations

1. The time limit for the competition, including set-up, style, and performance, is 10 minutes.

2. The cost limit is $75, with Vanguard Youth providing $50 per team.  ($25 is allowed to be raised through approved methods.) The cost limit does not included new or used suitcases, or suitcases built by the team.  Additional points will be given for less money spent (Under $50= +5 points, under $40= +10 points, under $30=+15 points.)

3. The entire vehicle must be contained in one or two closed suitcases. Each suitcase must have outside dimensions not exceeding 23" x 31" x 10" and may be made of any material.

4. The vehicle must be totally enclosed in the suitcase(s) when the signal to begin is given. Then it must be assembled in the neighborhood, complete the tasks, return to the neighborhood, be disassembled and placed back into the suitcase(s).

5. The suitcase(s) may be part of the vehicle.  However, they must either be suitcases or resemble pieces of luggage.  Some suitcases have built-in wheels.  These wheels may not be used as the vehicle’s wheels.

6. Hero and/or sidekick must ride in or on the vehicle and may not leave the vehicle except in the Neighborhood. If Hero or sidekick touches the floor outside the Neighborhood, it is a penalty.  Hero and sidekick may return to the neighborhood as often as they wish.

7. Only one vehicle may be made.  Only Hero and/or sidekick and the kitten may ride the vehicle.  Hero and Sidekick must complete the tasks.

8. Participants may use any power source except moving the wheels directly by hand or pushing or pulling the vehicle by hand.  Vehicles may not be connected to anything stationary except an electrical supply.

9. The vehicle braking and steering systems may be hand operated.

10. Four/five team members, except the person in distress, may help assemble the vehicle.  All five/six  team members may help to disassemble the vehicle.

11. The vehicle must be assembled and disassembled in the Neighborhood.

12. The team’s interpretation and configuration of the kitten and the nature of the distressed person’s distress are of the team’s choosing.  The kitten may be portrayed by one of the five team members but no other live animals may be used.

13.  The distressed person and the kitten must be in position before their reliefs/rescues take place.  Once in position, the distressed person and the kitten must remain in their areas until relieved or rescued.  After the distressed person is relieved, he or she may leave the designated area and move anywhere.  When the kitten is rescued, it must be kept on the vehicle and must be returned with Hero and/or sidekick to the neighborhood.  This may be done at any time during the vehicle’s run.  The remaining two/three team members bay move in and out of bounds without penalty.

14. The floor contact points (usually wheels) of the vehicle must remain in bounds.

15. All devices or apparatus used to perform the tasks do not have to be returned to the neighborhood, but until they are used they must be carried on or attached to the vehicle or carried by Hero and/or sidekick.

16. During the performance of the tasks, Hero’s and sidekick’s body parts and devices used to perform the tasks may extend across the boundary lines without penalty, but the body parts may not touch the floor.

17. Before time begins, the team must present the judges with a paper containing a brief description of the crime, the two good deeds, the nature of the distress, and the identification of characters.

18. A team member may portray only one character.

19. Tools for vehicle assembly do not have to be contained in the suitcase(s).