Activity: Assemblage

Hey Peeps!

Sorry for the lapse in time. I've been on the road for the last two weeks and really should have pre-posted more than I did. I've tried to resist the assumption that everywhere in this world has internet access...such was not the case this last week.

Here's a new activity! It's a really fun one to play around with and works well with a number of different ages for a whole bunch of contexts. I started using it after I went to a management team building session. I always have to laugh at myself when I'm put into situations where I'm part of the team rather than the facilitator - especially now after facilitating for so many years. I don't really like being facilitated. And though I still love learning - I'm becoming less and less tolerant of being facilitated THROUGH the learning experience. I think that's something that occurs with age. We become know-it-alls or something. What about you? Do you react to facilitators the same way that I do? It's like I feel patronized...but I know that's not the intent - so what's the root of that? Maybe I'll let those questions stew for a couple days before we come back at them. There's a number of different activities where I come across that attitude (and thankfully, it's not just me!).

Activity Prep:
The activity this week is called Assemblage. You can play it in groups of 3-4, however 3 is the optimal number. The link to the puzzle that I use is found here (when the page pops up, scroll down the page until you hit the activity called "Assemble the Square). I created a trace from it (I don't use the numbers...it allows the puzzle to be two-sided doubles the choices participants have to make) and then photocopy it onto really bright paper (laminate, laminate, LAMINATE). Each group of 3 will get two puzzles: An answer key and a cut up puzzle.

Here's the rest of the explanation:

Activity: Assemblage

Props: Each puzzle has 6 pieces. Each team member can have equal numbers of pieces to the puzzle.

Playing the Game: The puzzle forms a square but you don't have to tell your participants this. Separate your large group into groups of 3 and explain the activity BEFORE you hand out the puzzle pieces and answer keys. Younger participants will often look at the contents before you have a chance to explain the game. 

Explain that within their group of 3 one person will need to be the architect, one will be the builder, and one will be the manager. Have the participants decide on their roles before you begin. 

• Builders can be seated at a table or on the floor with the puzzle pieces and may use their voice during the whole activity. Builders must remain as the builder for the whole activity.
• Architects get the answer key and are seated with their backs to the builder (so they cannot see the Builder and the puzzle pieces). Architects may use their voice.

• Managers are standing and can see both the answer key and the Builder's progress but MAY NOT use their voice. Managers and Architects can switch out as often as they want.

Here's the catch: the Manager can tag out the Architect in which case that participant then becomes the Architect but the same rules for the roles remain the same. 

I'll give you an example to help clarify. We have three participants: Bob, Dan, and Sally. Bob is the Builder (naturally), Dan starts as the Manager, and Sally starts as the Architect. At the beginning of the activity Bob and Sally are back to back and Sally has the answer key. Both Bob and Sally can talk to one another. Dan CAN'T talk but can see Bob's progress and the answer key. Dan tags Sally out and becomes the Architect. Dan must then SWITCH places with Sally so that he is back to back with Bob. At this point Dan has the answer key and CAN talk but cannot see what Bob is doing. Sally is standing so that she can see Bob's progress and the answer key. Sally and Dan can continue switching places but it always must remain that if one is standing and can see Bob's progress and the answer key - they cannot talk. 

Clear as mud? Let me know if there is further clarification needed.

This book is SUPER for puzzles like this one. I'll be presenting a bunch of activities out of it. I strongly recommend you follow the links to the right (Amazon) to pick it up. It is so worth your while. I'll let this sink in for a couple days and then come back at you with debrief stuff.

Happy Puzzling!