Section | Interpersonal Communication and Cooperation Activity 1.9 Working Together (Adapted from an activity submitted by Ashley Wiest) aaa Grades K to 1 (EPurpose! To help younger students learn the value of working together to accomplish a specific goal. (EAREIVity: 7 Have the students pair up and sit on the floor, back to back with their - knees bent and elbows linked. On the count of three, each pair tries to stand up. Have the children practice in pairs on their own once or twice more, before moving on to sets of three. The game continues by trying to stand up with three, then four, five, six, and more people. Depending on the group's experience, determine when the game should end. Next, lead a discussion around the following questions: What did you like/dislike about this game? How were you and your partner able to stand up together? What did you each do to make this happen? What does the word “cooperation” mean? (Working together, sharing, etc.) What happened when you fell down or couldn't stand up? What was it like when another joined you? What made standing up difficult? Next, divide the class into groups of five. Then: 1, Give each group a length of string. 2, Have every member of the group hold part of the string. 3. Call out the name of a shape for the groups to form, while holding onto the string. Start with a simple circle. 4, Allow the groups to talk while forming the circle, but then have the students try to make other shapes, (Le., triangle, square, rectangle, star) or letters (L,C,V,W,M.N,],Z, etc.) without talking. 5. After time in smaller groups, bring the students together into two large groups. Tie the strings together and try making the shapes with more people. ‘Then, lead a brief discussion on the following questions: * What did you like/dislike about this activity? * What did your group do to make the shape (or letter)? * What does it mean to “cooperate” when you are playing a game? + What did you do when you were not allowed to talk? © What kinds of problems did you run into? How did you solve them? © How did it feel when someone was not cooperating with the group? ferialsiIP! 5 pieces of thick string, yarn, or rope (6 to 8 feet in length each) Closure: Lead a closing discussion around the following: + When are some other times you work together (cooperate) with people? + Tell about a time when you “cooperated” with someone in class (with a family member, with a friend) «How do you feel when you “cooperate” with others? © What happens when we do not cooperate with each other? Educational Media Corporation®, Box 21311, Minneapolis, MN 55421-0311 41