Hula Hoops
Part 1:
Students were divided into smaller groups of four or five. In their groups, students were given one hula hoop and instructed to begin lowering it from above their heads down to the ground using only the tips of their fingers.
Part 1:
Students were divided into smaller groups of four or five. In their groups, students were given one hula hoop and instructed to begin lowering it from above their heads down to the ground using only the tips of their fingers.
Observations:
The previous team building activity, Get on the Chair, had been quite difficult for this group. Because of this, I selected the activity shown here, which still required effective team work, but was easier, to help students build confidence in their growing abilities. The largest challenge to this activity was managing the different heights of each member in the group. As students brought the hula hoop closer to the group, when one group member could move and by how much became an important factor in determining success. However, all groups were quick to understand this factor and most groups saw success in their first attempt. |
Part 2:
In this activity, students formed one large circle, and were instructed to work together to pass a hula-hoop all the way around the circle without letting go of each other’s hands.
In this activity, students formed one large circle, and were instructed to work together to pass a hula-hoop all the way around the circle without letting go of each other’s hands.
Observations:
Without my knowing, students had completed this activity in a prior year. Because of this, students were already familiar with what roles they would need to fill in order to successfully pass the hula hoop around the circle.
However, this was the first class wide activity where students did not hesitate to help each other. Students who previously had fought to not participate in the team building activities were quick to help the classmates on either side of them, and expressed happiness either individually or with a small group of friends when the task was completed.
Without my knowing, students had completed this activity in a prior year. Because of this, students were already familiar with what roles they would need to fill in order to successfully pass the hula hoop around the circle.
However, this was the first class wide activity where students did not hesitate to help each other. Students who previously had fought to not participate in the team building activities were quick to help the classmates on either side of them, and expressed happiness either individually or with a small group of friends when the task was completed.