Activity: Patterns
I always think it's funny when I make huge plans to complete something and I forget to take into account that life is always busier than I realize. At the beginning of December I was given about 2.5 weeks off. I initially didn't even want the time off (crazy, I know) simply because I really don't enjoy the busyness of the Christmas season. Time off means time easily filled and used up by family get-togethers. Up until now I've had FIVE turkey dinners. I'm usually a vegetarian by the time I get to the end of December.
In light of the hectic season and getting caught doing one too many things at one time and becoming a master at 'multi-tasking', I thought I would lay out this activity for you. I have done it before using only three different objects. But when I was at the AEE conference - High5 used three different types of patterns. I liked that one better because the Now What? questions made an easier cross-over to our everyday lives. Here's the activity:
Patterns
Props: One tossible (I use a beanie baby) or three if you're doing three "tossible" patterns .
Setting up the Field of Play:
- You will want to split your large group into smallers groups no larger than 12. Eight to ten people is optimal but you can do it with up to 12. The more people - the more complex the patterns. Depending on the age of your participants you may want to make smaller groups.
- Get your participants to form a circle.
Instructions: Tell participants that they will be making three patterns. Each patterns will be different and independent from the other. Explain that they will need to remember each pattern as they learn them. Patterns can be as simple or as complex as they want but the group must create them.
Pattern One - Chucking
- Using the tossible, participates must create a pattern that begins and ends with the same person. The tossible gets tossed from one person to the next, never repeating someone and including everyone in the circle.
- Once the pattern is created, practice it until the group can perform it confidently.
Pattern Two - Calling
- Setting the tossible aside, participants must create a new pattern that is unlike their Chucking pattern. It must be completely independent of the first pattern. Again, the pattern must begin and end with the same person and must include everyone without repeating anyone in the circle.
- Once the pattern is created, practice it until the group can perform it confidently.
Have the group practice doing Chucking and Calling patterns at the same time. The patterns should begin and end at the same time. Have them practice them together until the group can doing them at the same time confidently.
Pattern Three - Swapping
- For this pattern, the group starts in a circle and creates a pattern by switching places. The best way to do this without creating confusing during the pattern is to have the switch happen by a person walking up to the person they want to switch with and then have them switch places. If this does not happen, the starting spot gets lost in the pattern and "mid-way swapping" happens. This may not be confusing when this pattern is done independent of the first two patterns but when you add it to Chucking and Calling - it gets very confusing. Similarly to the other two patterns, it must begin and end with the same person without repeating or excluding anyone.
- If Swapping is done crisply, integration into Chucking and Name Calling is easier.
- Group should practice Swapping until they can perform it confidently.
The group can choose to practice Calling and Swapping together before they do all three patterns at the same time. Patterns should begin and end as close to the same time as possible.
There you go Peeps. Debrief to come soon.
In light of the hectic season and getting caught doing one too many things at one time and becoming a master at 'multi-tasking', I thought I would lay out this activity for you. I have done it before using only three different objects. But when I was at the AEE conference - High5 used three different types of patterns. I liked that one better because the Now What? questions made an easier cross-over to our everyday lives. Here's the activity:
Patterns
Props: One tossible (I use a beanie baby) or three if you're doing three "tossible" patterns .
Setting up the Field of Play:
- You will want to split your large group into smallers groups no larger than 12. Eight to ten people is optimal but you can do it with up to 12. The more people - the more complex the patterns. Depending on the age of your participants you may want to make smaller groups.
- Get your participants to form a circle.
Instructions: Tell participants that they will be making three patterns. Each patterns will be different and independent from the other. Explain that they will need to remember each pattern as they learn them. Patterns can be as simple or as complex as they want but the group must create them.
Pattern One - Chucking
- Using the tossible, participates must create a pattern that begins and ends with the same person. The tossible gets tossed from one person to the next, never repeating someone and including everyone in the circle.
- Once the pattern is created, practice it until the group can perform it confidently.
Pattern Two - Calling
- Setting the tossible aside, participants must create a new pattern that is unlike their Chucking pattern. It must be completely independent of the first pattern. Again, the pattern must begin and end with the same person and must include everyone without repeating anyone in the circle.
- Once the pattern is created, practice it until the group can perform it confidently.
Have the group practice doing Chucking and Calling patterns at the same time. The patterns should begin and end at the same time. Have them practice them together until the group can doing them at the same time confidently.
Pattern Three - Swapping
- For this pattern, the group starts in a circle and creates a pattern by switching places. The best way to do this without creating confusing during the pattern is to have the switch happen by a person walking up to the person they want to switch with and then have them switch places. If this does not happen, the starting spot gets lost in the pattern and "mid-way swapping" happens. This may not be confusing when this pattern is done independent of the first two patterns but when you add it to Chucking and Calling - it gets very confusing. Similarly to the other two patterns, it must begin and end with the same person without repeating or excluding anyone.
- If Swapping is done crisply, integration into Chucking and Name Calling is easier.
- Group should practice Swapping until they can perform it confidently.
The group can choose to practice Calling and Swapping together before they do all three patterns at the same time. Patterns should begin and end as close to the same time as possible.
There you go Peeps. Debrief to come soon.
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