If you have read my blog for any time, you know I love using games to teach things as well as having fun. Try this one - it is a version of cricket and a ton of fun. Give limited instructions and watch the boys define how the game is played. It also tires them out so they can focus on whatever the topic is that night.
Bat Ball Game
This has become my favorite over Baden Powell's favorite British Bulldog.
Showing posts with label Games with a Purpose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Games with a Purpose. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Games with a Purpose - British Bulldog
British Bulldog was one of Baden-Powell's favorite games. A short field is created when two "safe zones" like football end zones are created. The boys run from one safe zone to the other trying not to be caught by the British Bulldog.
The British Bulldog in turn grabs a boy, picks him completely off the ground and declares "British Bulldog!" Both boys are now Bulldogs. This process progresses until each boy is a British Bulldog.
We had one boy who escaped from 9 Bulldogs 3 times before he was finally caught. Tons of fun.
Make sure the field is clear and make sure all glasses and cell phones are removed. One boy broke his glasses the first time we played. Thank goodness for insurance! Make sure that any boy that sees this as an opportunity to beat the crap out of another boy is removed from the game. I don't allow them to cheat either. One starting Bulldog ran 11 times before he was able to catch other boy (great teaching moment and opportunity to give words of affirmation). I tell my boys often "I am sure that the insurance forms filled out from one of you hurting another will be long and detailed. I am not filling them out for you."
The British Bulldog in turn grabs a boy, picks him completely off the ground and declares "British Bulldog!" Both boys are now Bulldogs. This process progresses until each boy is a British Bulldog.
We had one boy who escaped from 9 Bulldogs 3 times before he was finally caught. Tons of fun.
Make sure the field is clear and make sure all glasses and cell phones are removed. One boy broke his glasses the first time we played. Thank goodness for insurance! Make sure that any boy that sees this as an opportunity to beat the crap out of another boy is removed from the game. I don't allow them to cheat either. One starting Bulldog ran 11 times before he was able to catch other boy (great teaching moment and opportunity to give words of affirmation). I tell my boys often "I am sure that the insurance forms filled out from one of you hurting another will be long and detailed. I am not filling them out for you."
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Games with a Purpose
Games with a purpose are a great way to "trick" your boys (not matter the age) into learning as long as you give them the opportunity to reflect on the game afterwards. You can't just play the game and expect them to reflect on it later. You must do it as soon as the game is over. Remember what each boys says so when you interact with them in the future, you can use that a cue on what they learn and how they learn. I will write more later about "thorns and roses" reflection. If I don't, remind me.
So after playing a game, get in a circle. Sometimes it is appropriate to hold hands. This way everyone has a clear view of everyone else. Everyone will be on the same level. Only one person is allowed to speak at a time and all words must be uplifting. What one person learns, another may not. Some are learning on much different levels.
I will be sharing with you some games that my boys love to play. So much so, that they ask to play certain games over and over. We reflect on the game no matter if they have played it before because people act differently. Sometimes someone might be helpful one time and not another. This is a good time to compliment the boy during the game reflection.
I started using this process after taking a COPE mentoring course where I was going to learn to teach on a COPE course for the BSA. The training has taken so long to complete that I am sure it outdated and hence I am not trained but some of the concepts I learned, have stuck with me. Devoting 15-20 minutes of your meeting ensures that the boys are having FUN! Scouting is supposed to be fun! It runs them out of energy so you can accomplish whatever your meeting has scheduled. They have energy to mess with one another during the meeting. And you can let a boy lead this process once you have modeled it for them correctly.
So after playing a game, get in a circle. Sometimes it is appropriate to hold hands. This way everyone has a clear view of everyone else. Everyone will be on the same level. Only one person is allowed to speak at a time and all words must be uplifting. What one person learns, another may not. Some are learning on much different levels.
I will be sharing with you some games that my boys love to play. So much so, that they ask to play certain games over and over. We reflect on the game no matter if they have played it before because people act differently. Sometimes someone might be helpful one time and not another. This is a good time to compliment the boy during the game reflection.
I started using this process after taking a COPE mentoring course where I was going to learn to teach on a COPE course for the BSA. The training has taken so long to complete that I am sure it outdated and hence I am not trained but some of the concepts I learned, have stuck with me. Devoting 15-20 minutes of your meeting ensures that the boys are having FUN! Scouting is supposed to be fun! It runs them out of energy so you can accomplish whatever your meeting has scheduled. They have energy to mess with one another during the meeting. And you can let a boy lead this process once you have modeled it for them correctly.
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