by Brian Miles & Fotis Konstantinidis
(for a class of 24)
Before Exercise:
1) Have 24 pieces of paper (standard A4 format), numbered 1 through 24. Also have 24 small pieces of paper, numbered 1 through 24.
2) Prepare sketch of the hallway outside the classroom. Only 3 copies needed.
3) Hide small pieces of paper along hallway. Show on each copy of sketch exactly where each number is going to be. Put #13 in the same place as #1, # 14 with #2, etc.
Exercise:
1) Have the organization split into Reading or other groups.
2) Keeping the groups together, split the class into two larger groups, A and B.
3) Give to a random person from group A pieces of paper numbered 1 through 12, along with the hallway sketch. Do the same with group B and numbers 13 through 24. Tell them they need to bring back matching small pieces of paper, along with the corresponding big ones.
4) Read the rules of the game to both groups, but offer no advice while group A is inside.
5) Rules:
- No running.
- Group members need to return in groups of four, with the numbers in the right order (i.e. 1,2,3,4, together/ 5,6,7,8, together/ 9, 10, 11, 12 together for group A, and 13,14,15,16 together/ 17,18,19,20 together/ 21,22,23,24 together for group B).
- Each person has to come in with his or her corresponding number.
- DON’T TOUCH NUMBERS 13 THROUGH 24!
- Each group will be timed.
6) Have one Planning group member time group A, observe them and take notes.
7) While group A is outside, have other Planning group member insist that group B write a plan (using the sketch). Provide advice on this.
8) When all group A members are back, have group B perform the same task. Have one Planning group member time group B, observe them and take notes.
9) After both groups are done, initiate discussion:
- Point out things they did well and poorly.
- Mention how it could have gone more smoothly.
- Point out importance of planning.