Fun and Free Stuff!
Opportunities for cooperative play abound! Here are some games you can play with no materials or with simple things you probably have around the house:
For Teens & Adults:
Therapist
Directions: This game is played in a group. First someone volunteers to be the “therapist.” Everyone else is the “patient”. The therapist leaves the room while those remaining behind decide what kind of patient they are—what their disorder is. For example, the patient could have a phobia of heights, or amnesia, etc. When the group decides what malady it has, the therapist returns. He tries to guess what’s ailing the patient by querying each player with questions.
For Children:
Blob Tag
Directions: In this version of tag, “it” chases the other players and tries to tag them. But in this case, when “it” tags someone, the two join hands. Every time another player is tagged, he or she joins hands with the growing blob of “it”.
Notes: Play this game outside in an area free of obstacles and hazards.
Good for Mixed Ages.
Clap Happy
Directions: This is played in a group. A volunteer leaves the group while those remaining decide on a gesture or position that the volunteer should strike. For example, the group may decide that the volunteer should salute or touch her toes. When the volunteer returns to the group, she randomly strikes different poses. As she gets “warmer”, the group claps louder and more frequently until clapping reaches a rescendo when the correct pose is reached.
Notes: This game imparts a true feeling of being part of a cooperating group. It’s fun to be part of the frantically clapping group with the cooperative goal of helping the volunteer find his way.
Please, Please Smile!
Directions: There are a couple versions of this game. In one version, a child sits in a parent’s lap. The child says to the parent “I love you but will you please, please smile?” The parent responds, “I love you but I just can’t smile!” The game is over when either player smiles, smirks, or snickers.
In another version of Please, Please Smile! a group sits in a circle. A volunteer picks a seated player, leans down and stares face-to-face saying: “Darling, I love you and I want you to please, please smile.” The recipient tries to stonewall, saying “Darling I love you but I just can’t smile.” If the recipient smiles, he trades places with the volunteer. If the volunteer smiles first, he chooses another player and repeats.
Notes: I love this game! It’s a great way to snuggle and giggle with your child.
For Teachers:
Cooperative Learning Strategies
The instructional methodology known as Cooperative Learning is, of course, cooperative. Implementing extensive Cooperative Learning strategies effectively in the classroom takes skill, however. I recommend Designing Groupwork, Strategies For the Heterogeneous Classroom by Elizabeth G. Cohen (Teacher’s College Press ©1986). Among quickie cooperative learning strategies, I like the following- Jigsaw
- Fishbowl
- Collaborative Concept-Webbing
- Brainstorming of all kinds
- Mural-making
Cooperative Nature Play:
Gathering Leaves
Directions: On an Autumn day, gather beautiful leaves. Compile your leaves and use them for a table decoration or work of art. Take the time to admire one another’s collection.
Notes: My kids and I had a fabulous time doing this a couple years ago. We found lots of leaves that we used to decorate our house for a Halloween party. My son noticed that one of the Elm leaves had orange markings shaped like the word Boo!
When gathering leaves, be sure everyone can recognize leaves that may be irritating such as poison oak or other hazards such as thorns or snakes, etc. This isn’t a big deal; just know your area and use common sense.
Classic Cooperative Play Activities:
- Charades
- Doing Puzzles
- Jumping rope
- Building fortes
- Etc, etc!
