The activity I chose is an Icebreaker activity called, “You, Me, Left, Right”. It’s a fun way to learn everyone’s names, but with more of a challenge than just sitting in a circle or line and introducing yourself to a group. This activity would be appropriate for a younger audience; children and adults. I don’t think it would be very appropriate for let’s say a geriatrics population because there is a lot of movement. With some adaptations, people with physical disabilities would be able to use this, there would just need to be more space and the activity would take a little bit more time. Potentially, I can see this activity really working well in a correction type setting or working with at-risk youth. The therapeutic potential for this activity is enormous. The induction of anxiety is caused by many social situations, including introducing yourself. This activity is a way of introducing yourself and making a game out of it, where anyone can be put on the spot and has an equal amount of challenge. It’s also a way to get everyone’s adrenaline going and excitement for other activities that you have planned for the day! There aren’t any resources needed, just a big enough space for the amount of people you have participating, so it’s very cost effective and can be run indoors or outdoors. The best leadership style is that you need to front load the activity and then it’s mainly the participation of the group that runs the activity. There might need to be debriefing and a couple discussion questions are listed at the end of the activity description. I found this activity on a website I was introduced to through another recreation class called “Ultimate Camp Resource”. This website has various activities for a range of populations and programs that you might be putting on. You can go to this website to find more information on this activity along with others relating to it.
You, Me, Left, Right
Activity Type: Icebreaker/Mixer
Activity Description: A fun, simple game to help learn the names of the members in the group.
Purpose/Goals:
1. To learn the names of members in the group.
2. To provide a fun activity to get participants excited for the rest of the day.
Activity Level: Sedentary to Moderate
Appropriate Audience: Groups of any size with participants being school-aged children to adults.
Appropriate Audience: Groups of any size with participants being school-aged children to adults.
Physical Setting: This activity can take place indoors or outdoors with sufficient space to accommodate for all the members of the group.
Equipment and Materials: None, just the members of the group.
Instructions/Facilitation:
1. Have the group form a circle and the facilitator explains the rules.
2. The facilitator explains that whoever is in the middle of the circle, called the caller, will walk up to someone standing in the circle and say either, “You,” “Me,” “Left,” or “Right.” Then they count to 3. (For example, 1 banana, 2 banana, 3 banana or some other counting form).
· "You" is the person being questioned.
· "Me" is the caller.
· "Left" is the person to the left of the one being questioned.
· "Right" is the person to the right of the one being questioned.
3. The person that is being questioned has to the count of 3 to give the right response.
4. If their response is correct the caller continues on to another participant in the circle.
5. If their response is incorrect or not within the count of 3, then that person becomes the new caller.
6. The facilitator then starts off the game by being the first caller.
Physical and Emotional Safety Precautions: Make sure to tell the members that if they choose to move quickly around the circle that they be careful not to slip and fall. Inform the participants of Challenge by Choice; they do not have to participate if they do not feel comfortable, but also encourage them to try it first. All members should be encouraging and not putting down any of the participants.
Variations:
1. You can choose to have more than one circle if you have a big group.
2. You can choose to have more than one person in the middle of the circle being the caller.
3. The amount of time the participant has to respond can be changed depending on the age of the group members or how well the members know each other.
Special Notes: None
Discussion Questions/Processing:
1. How was this game helpful in learning people’s names?
2. Does anyone think they know everyone else’s name in the group? (Have the participant name everyone in the group.)
3. What was the most challenging part of this game?
Reference:
- Camp Whitcomb/Mason
- Ultimate Camp Resource. (2010). Retrieved March 28, 2011, from http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activity/you-me-left-right.html
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