Web of yarn
From Wikigogy
Contents |
[edit] Prep
[edit] Learning goals
Student's have the opportunity to
- get to know each other
- understand that as a group, they are all connected
- feel good about being in the group
[edit] Prerequisite
You can use this activity at the beginning or end of the course
- used at the beginning works as a get-to-know-you icebreaker. Good for getting everybody comfortable with each other
- used at the end serves as a bond generator. Everybody already knows each other and friendships are strengthened
[edit] Material
- enough space for the class to form a circle
- a ball of enough yarn for criss-crossing back and forth in the circle
- honest questions and answers
[edit] Lesson
Along with your students form a circle. Doing it inside the classroom works just as well, but it is a good idea to take them outside for additional variety. It's also a good catalyst for bonding. You are going to start with the ball of yarn. Hold up the ball of yarn for everybody to see. Say you will throw the ball of yarn to someone in the circle and ask that person one questions. Encourage everyone to throw the ball to someone they usually don´t talk to much.
Before you throw the ball, hold the tip of the thread. Don't let go.
- Throw it to student-1 and ask a question
- Student-1 catches the ball of yarn and answers
- Student-1 holds on to the thread with one hand and with the other throws the ball across the circle to another student
- Students continue in the same manner like steps 1-3 till every student is connected by the yarn
- Finally, last student tosses ball of yarn to teacher to complete the web
Because everyone will be holding on to the thread as the ball is thrown from one side to another, a web will begin to take shape. Once everyone has participated, there will be one final connection to make; the last student to the teacher. It's your time to really participate.
Once you finish answering the student's questions, a few words to the group always work wonders. Now is the time for you to talk to everybody as a group. You can say something like,
- You all did a great job. It's great to see that everybody participated in a good and positive way. But look at what we have all done. Look at this web we have connected. In reality, this web illustrates how we are connected as a class. You have come here to learn something. Some days are going to be great, others good, and others not so good. However you are feeling on a certain day, or whatever your performance, you will have an impact on the rest of the class. Just look at this web to have an idea of how this will happen. Let's start this course with positive thinking. Your positive learning thoughts will follow the yarn and be received by your classmate. In the semester there will be many connections you will make with each other. Let's use those connections to learn and have a great time doing it. Let's learn!
Any other words you can say to promote group integration are great.
[edit] Note
Depending if you use this at the beginning or end of the course, the participation of the student varies a little.
Used at the beginning. As I explained before, students ask one question to each other, something they would like to know about that person.
Used at the end. Because everyone knows each other, asking get-to-know-you questions is not the best choice. Instead, tell students to complement each other on something. Encourage students to throw the ball to someone they didn't have a lot of contact with in the course and complement them on something, anything. "I always liked you sweaters." "You always knew the right thing to say." etc...
I find that this activity has more bonding power at the end of the course. Students establish friendships in with others, but only with 2 or 3 people. Receiving compliments from someone he or she did not talk to much is always a good surprise.
As a final note, when doing this activity at the end of the course, I always tell them to give hugs all around. it has happened that they begin to feel so good with each other that tears of joy start to roll down.
