Don't Touch Me!!!
Time Allowance: 30 Minutes-One Hour
Equipment Needed: An 8-inch spot for 6-16 people or a cone for 18-26 people or a hula-hoop for larger groups and a stopwatch. Locate an open area large enough for a loose circle of players. Be sure to have at least six players. Place your spot, cone, or hoop on the ground in the center of the people.
Steps
1. The object of this game is for everyone to touch the object iii the middle and switch places with his partner as fast as possible without touching anyone.
2. Pick a partner from across the circle. Each person should have his own partner.
3. While you are in motion, say, “Don’t touch me!” like you mean it until you have reached your partner’s position.
4. I will be timing the group for the overall time it takes the group to accomplish the task. Each time someone touches someone else, one second is added to the group’s overall time.
5. As soon as someone says “START!” and the group starts, I will begin the time and then stop the clock when everyone has reached his or her new position and someone has said “STOP!”
6. So the rules are that everyone has to touch the spot, and switch places with your partner while saying “Don’t touch me!” because each time someone is touched it adds a second to the group’s overall time.7. Facilitator’s Notes: This activity requires an even number of participants. If your group is uneven, add or subtract yourself to even it up. Questions from the group usually come from everyone eventually. Answer their questions by restating the parameters of the task. “The rules are that everyone has to touch the spot, and switch places with their partners while saying “Don’t touch me!” because each time someone is touched it adds a second to the group’s overall time.” Let the group try to decrease their time until they are satisfied. If their best time is fairly long (six to ten seconds), gently state a shorter time achieved by a previous group and see if they want to try again. A benchmark of 1.45 seconds is a good time. A common process groups go through in getting from a twelve to fifteen second process to a 1.45 second process involves a few distinct discoveries. 1) Move closer to the spot. 2) We can move the spot. 3) Work smarter not harder. 4) You can stand next to your partner. 5) How do we define “changing places with your partner?” There is one potential problem with this activity. It is a “eureka” problem. (It has a limited number of final solutions,) If someone in your group has played it before, he or she might diminish the effect of the activity by jumping in with a final solution.
Processing Issues
Group Problem-Solving
Leadership Roles