„Ë@Group Sculpture

 

 

Purpose:  Some tasks that seem very easy to us become very difficult when we are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  This activity starts out very simple and then gets harder.  Group participants will be able to see first hand through this simulated activity how being impaired slows down our ability to accomplish easy tasks.  This activity will also help demonstrate the role clear communication plays when trying to accomplish a task in a group atmosphere. 

 

Materials: 

1.    1 blindfold for each participant

2.    2 ropes that are long enough for half the group participants to hold on to it at one time (about 30 feet for 15 people)

 

Activity:  Divide group participants into 2 teams with close to equal numbers on each team and have each team form a circle.  Place a rope or webbing in the middle of the circle on the ground or floor that is long enough for each team member to hang onto it at the same time.  Explain to the teams that you are going to call out a shape.  The group objective is for the team to pick up the rope and form the shape in the quickest amount of time.  Pick shapes such as a square, triangle, circle, hexagon, or pentagon.  Between each shape have the rope or webbing placed back in the middle of the circle.

 

Now have the group participants put on a blindfold and repeat the above activity.  You can repeat as many shapes as you would like, depending on the amount of time you have to devote to the activity.  One shape will be enough to get the discussion points across.  Have the group participants decide and tell you when they are satisfied with their shape before they remove their blindfolds. 

 

Variation:  If you want more of a challenge, tie your webbing or ropes together for the blindfolded portion and have the entire group try to form the shapes.

 

Processing:

 

      1.  How hard was it for the group to create the shapes when they were not blindfolded?

      2.  How did the group decide on how each shape was going to be created?  Did

           leaders emerge?  How were they chosen?

      3.  Did you feel pressure by having another team to compete against?

      4.  How was it different when you were blindfolded?

                                                                                                                                                                 

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      5.  Did the decision making process on how to form your shapes change when you were blindfolded?  In what way did it change?

      6.  Did leadership become more or less important when you were blindfolded? Why you think this was? 

      7.  Did everyone participate equally in the decision making process?  Explain.

      8.  What kinds of things made this task difficult to do when blindfolded?

      9.  Did any of you become frustrated during this activity?  Why?

     10.  How did you handle your frustration?

     11.  What can this activity teach us about working together?

     12.  What can this activity teach us about group decision making?

     13.  What can this activity teach us about solving problems or doing tasks when impaired by alcohol or other drugs?

     14.  What can this activity teach us about communication?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resource: 

Activities that Teach, Tom Jackson

MPS Ropes & Challenge Education Curriculum