Celebrating Differences Imagineering |
Target Themes: Introductions, Safe space, Self-awareness, Celebrating differences
This is a great game to play with a big group of people who may not know each other well and a great way to find commonalities among group members.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Begin by getting the group to stand forming one big circle, with the facilitator in the middle. The facilitator should explain that he/she will say a statement beginning with “The Big Wind Blows for people who….” and then complete the sentence with a statement that applies to them. For example, the facilitator could say, “The Big Wind Blows for people who have a younger sister” or “…people who live on campus”. Once the facilitator has finished the statement, anyone in the circle whom that statement applies to should leave their place in the circle and find a new spot (this cannot be the spot on either side of the person). The person in the middle will also try to take a spot in the circle. The remaining person who is left without a place in the circle must come up with the next statement.
This is a great game to play with a big group of people who may not know each other well and a great way to find commonalities among group members.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Begin by getting the group to stand forming one big circle, with the facilitator in the middle. The facilitator should explain that he/she will say a statement beginning with “The Big Wind Blows for people who….” and then complete the sentence with a statement that applies to them. For example, the facilitator could say, “The Big Wind Blows for people who have a younger sister” or “…people who live on campus”. Once the facilitator has finished the statement, anyone in the circle whom that statement applies to should leave their place in the circle and find a new spot (this cannot be the spot on either side of the person). The person in the middle will also try to take a spot in the circle. The remaining person who is left without a place in the circle must come up with the next statement.
Target Themes: Introductions, Self-awareness, Embracing Potential, Celebrating differences, Building Relationships, Our Space
This game can be used to split a large group into smaller groups, to learn something new about people in the group, or just as a fun and active game.
Make sure there is enough room to move around freely. Explain that people are going to separate into groups as quickly as possible. Keep the questions moving quickly (i.e. give just enough time for people to introduce themselves or look around their group before asking the next question). Alternate between 50/50 questions and multiple-choice questions.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Possible questions:
This game can be used to split a large group into smaller groups, to learn something new about people in the group, or just as a fun and active game.
Make sure there is enough room to move around freely. Explain that people are going to separate into groups as quickly as possible. Keep the questions moving quickly (i.e. give just enough time for people to introduce themselves or look around their group before asking the next question). Alternate between 50/50 questions and multiple-choice questions.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Possible questions:
- Which leg do you put in your pants first when getting dressed?
- When you clap, is your left hand or right hand on top?
- Using your index finger, draw an imaginary circle in the air. Does your finger travel clockwise or counterclockwise?
- Which eye do you use to give a spontaneous wink?
- Can you roll your tongue?
- When eating ice cream cones, which way do you rotate the cone?
- What month were you born in?
- Fold your arms; is your right or left arm on top?
- How many siblings are in your family, including you?
Target Themes: Introductions, Self-awareness, Community, Celebrating differences, Building Relationships
This is a great game to get people moving and find new things that people have in common while thinking creatively.
Begin by telling people to get into groups of three. Tell them they have two minutes to find five things that they all have in common. (You could make it harder by ruling out obvious things like clothing, gender, skin color, etc.). After a couple minutes have passed, have each group find a new group to combine with. Have each original group share their commonalities before giving the newly combined group two more minutes to find three things that everyone has in common. (These new commonalities must be things that neither group shared from the first round). After the two minutes are over, repeat this until the entire group has merged together. As a whole group, everyone should search for at least one thing that they all have in common.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
As part of the debrief, have people share some of the things they learned about each other.
This is a great game to get people moving and find new things that people have in common while thinking creatively.
Begin by telling people to get into groups of three. Tell them they have two minutes to find five things that they all have in common. (You could make it harder by ruling out obvious things like clothing, gender, skin color, etc.). After a couple minutes have passed, have each group find a new group to combine with. Have each original group share their commonalities before giving the newly combined group two more minutes to find three things that everyone has in common. (These new commonalities must be things that neither group shared from the first round). After the two minutes are over, repeat this until the entire group has merged together. As a whole group, everyone should search for at least one thing that they all have in common.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
As part of the debrief, have people share some of the things they learned about each other.
Target Themes: Appreciation, Helping Others, Building Relationships, Peacemakers for Life, Community
Tell players they are going to be playing a game in which they will be complimenting each other. If you are playing with young children, ask if they know what a compliment is. If they already know, have them share some examples. If not, then explain the concept to them and give a few examples of compliments. Have the players sit in a circle and tell them that they are going to be passing compliments around the circle. One person will give a compliment to the person next to them, who will then say “thank you” and give a compliment to the next person and so on around the circle. Remind them that the compliments need to be sincere and start the relay. If you would like to play a second round, give players 10 seconds to find a new seat in the circle (they can’t sit next to the same person) and challenge them to say something different from the last round.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Tell players they are going to be playing a game in which they will be complimenting each other. If you are playing with young children, ask if they know what a compliment is. If they already know, have them share some examples. If not, then explain the concept to them and give a few examples of compliments. Have the players sit in a circle and tell them that they are going to be passing compliments around the circle. One person will give a compliment to the person next to them, who will then say “thank you” and give a compliment to the next person and so on around the circle. Remind them that the compliments need to be sincere and start the relay. If you would like to play a second round, give players 10 seconds to find a new seat in the circle (they can’t sit next to the same person) and challenge them to say something different from the last round.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Community, Celebrating Differences, Building Relationships, Our Space
Have the group count off by twos. Have the ones form a circle facing outward with their backs toward one another. Have the twos form a circle around the ones facing inward so that everyone is paired with someone in the other circle. Explain that you will ask them a series of questions. Each pair has two minutes to discuss the questions (one minute for each person).
After two minutes are up have one of the circles rotate either right or left one spot or any number you choose. Then have the new pairs talk for two minutes. Write down some discussion ideas that relate to your activity in advance.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Have the group count off by twos. Have the ones form a circle facing outward with their backs toward one another. Have the twos form a circle around the ones facing inward so that everyone is paired with someone in the other circle. Explain that you will ask them a series of questions. Each pair has two minutes to discuss the questions (one minute for each person).
After two minutes are up have one of the circles rotate either right or left one spot or any number you choose. Then have the new pairs talk for two minutes. Write down some discussion ideas that relate to your activity in advance.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Our Space, Celebrating Differences, Building Relationships, Community
Supplies: A prepared list of topics or statements, tape and signs (optional)
Before you begin, make sure you have a large space that is clear of obstructions so people can move around the room easily. Make a line out of tape on the floor down the middle of the room. Label the length of tape with the following: strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree, in a continuum (i.e. strongly agree and strongly disagree at opposite ends). Have the group stand in the middle of the room or in front of the line and explain that you will read a series of statements and each person must place themselves on the line according to their level of agreement/disagreement with the statement. They should move without talking. Ask if there are any questions and then begin by reading the first statement. When everyone has found their place on the continuum give participants a chance to share their opinions, making sure to hear from different places along the line. Make sure to remind participants that they may not judge other people’s ideas. After a few minutes, move on to the next statement. Continue until all the statements have been read.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Debriefing Tips: Talk about the range of opinions heard, using specific examples if possible, and what it was like to move along the continuum.
Variations: Instead of using a line, label the four corners of the room with strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree and have participants go the corner that represents their opinion.
Or: Have participants break into only two groups, agree or disagree, and have the groups engage in short discussions about why they chose to agree or disagree. Then share with the larger group. In debriefing, talk about how it feels to have to make a black and white decision with no shades of gray.
Sample Statements:
Supplies: A prepared list of topics or statements, tape and signs (optional)
Before you begin, make sure you have a large space that is clear of obstructions so people can move around the room easily. Make a line out of tape on the floor down the middle of the room. Label the length of tape with the following: strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree, in a continuum (i.e. strongly agree and strongly disagree at opposite ends). Have the group stand in the middle of the room or in front of the line and explain that you will read a series of statements and each person must place themselves on the line according to their level of agreement/disagreement with the statement. They should move without talking. Ask if there are any questions and then begin by reading the first statement. When everyone has found their place on the continuum give participants a chance to share their opinions, making sure to hear from different places along the line. Make sure to remind participants that they may not judge other people’s ideas. After a few minutes, move on to the next statement. Continue until all the statements have been read.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Debriefing Tips: Talk about the range of opinions heard, using specific examples if possible, and what it was like to move along the continuum.
Variations: Instead of using a line, label the four corners of the room with strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree and have participants go the corner that represents their opinion.
Or: Have participants break into only two groups, agree or disagree, and have the groups engage in short discussions about why they chose to agree or disagree. Then share with the larger group. In debriefing, talk about how it feels to have to make a black and white decision with no shades of gray.
Sample Statements:
- Young men have been systematically conditioned to be violent
- Women are less violent than men.
- I share the same race or ethnicity as many of my teachers
- Poverty is a form of violence
- Guns symbolize power and control
- Guns are a way for young people to have power
- Adults in my life are good models of conflict resolution
- Oppression only havens to non-white people
- Violence is a learned behavior
- Conflict can be a positive thing
- Adults understand what it is like to be a young peons today
- Society discriminates against people of different religions
- It is hard to be an immigrant in this country
- People of African descent are represented on TV as bright, capable, and resourceful, people
- It is difficult to sit in the room and be the only person who is… (white/black/short/gay/in a wheelchair etc.)
- I believe that my vote matters
- The quality of education depends on a person’s income
- I can walk down the street holding the hand of the person I love without a negative reaction from other people.
Target Themes: Introductions, Celebrating Differences
Supplies: Paper, Pens
Give each person a blank piece of paper and have them write five facts or clues about them on the piece of paper. Have each person write their name on the bottom of the paper and collect the papers. Have the group try to figure out who the person is by reading the clues. Continue until all of the cards have been identified.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: Paper, Pens
Give each person a blank piece of paper and have them write five facts or clues about them on the piece of paper. Have each person write their name on the bottom of the paper and collect the papers. Have the group try to figure out who the person is by reading the clues. Continue until all of the cards have been identified.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Introductions, Building Relationships, Our Space, Celebrating Differences
There is a set area of play, and a facilitator who stands on the centerline of that area. The facilitator will say a color, and if a child is wearing that color, they are free to cross the field. If a player is not wearing that color, they must run to cross the area of play. The first player to be tagged by the facilitator is the next ‘gatekeeper’ (the facilitator).
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variation: Substitute colors for something else (ex: If you have two siblings, cross the field, etc.)
There is a set area of play, and a facilitator who stands on the centerline of that area. The facilitator will say a color, and if a child is wearing that color, they are free to cross the field. If a player is not wearing that color, they must run to cross the area of play. The first player to be tagged by the facilitator is the next ‘gatekeeper’ (the facilitator).
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variation: Substitute colors for something else (ex: If you have two siblings, cross the field, etc.)
Target Themes: Self Awareness, Celebrating Differences, Our Space,
Supplies: Notecards, Markers
This game may better later in the year when players know one another pretty well.
In this game, students write down three interesting facts about themselves (characteristics, accomplishments, cool events, etc) on a notecard, and the group tries to identify whom the facts describe.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Explain the nature of the game and remind everyone that they are not to explicitly identify themselves on the cards. Then give everyone a note card, and have everyone write down three interesting facts about themselves. Then randomly choose card by card and have the group guess whose card it is based on the facts.
Variation: Instead of having people write their own cards, assign a person to each person to describe in 3 positive facts. Then have the group guess whom the facts describe. Reveal who wrote the facts as well.
Supplies: Notecards, Markers
This game may better later in the year when players know one another pretty well.
In this game, students write down three interesting facts about themselves (characteristics, accomplishments, cool events, etc) on a notecard, and the group tries to identify whom the facts describe.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Explain the nature of the game and remind everyone that they are not to explicitly identify themselves on the cards. Then give everyone a note card, and have everyone write down three interesting facts about themselves. Then randomly choose card by card and have the group guess whose card it is based on the facts.
Variation: Instead of having people write their own cards, assign a person to each person to describe in 3 positive facts. Then have the group guess whom the facts describe. Reveal who wrote the facts as well.
Target Themes: Introductions, Individuality, Respecting differences, Appreciating diversity
Supplies: Human bingo boards, Writing utensils
Start by giving everyone a Bingo Sheet. In each box is a characteristic or description of something such as “has a brother” or “can speak another language.” Once everyone has a sheet, people can walk around the room trying to fill their sheets with as many signatures as possible. Remind people that one person cannot sign another sheet more than once. As people finish, they can return to their seats. End the game as most people seem to be finishing.
Variation: Use another Bingo sheet, instead of characteristics, each box will have a sentence stem that another person can complete, such as “If I won the lottery, I would...” Have players mingle around the room, and after having a short conversation about one of the sentence stems, they can sign each other’s sheets and fill in the blank. The game ends when everyone has filled in their sheets, or when time runs out.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: Human bingo boards, Writing utensils
Start by giving everyone a Bingo Sheet. In each box is a characteristic or description of something such as “has a brother” or “can speak another language.” Once everyone has a sheet, people can walk around the room trying to fill their sheets with as many signatures as possible. Remind people that one person cannot sign another sheet more than once. As people finish, they can return to their seats. End the game as most people seem to be finishing.
Variation: Use another Bingo sheet, instead of characteristics, each box will have a sentence stem that another person can complete, such as “If I won the lottery, I would...” Have players mingle around the room, and after having a short conversation about one of the sentence stems, they can sign each other’s sheets and fill in the blank. The game ends when everyone has filled in their sheets, or when time runs out.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Individuality, Teamwork, Communication
Supplies: None
One chosen student, the actor must act out anything he or she desires. All other students in the classroom have their back turned to the person acting so that they cannot see what he or she is doing. One student, the translator, can see what is happening. He or she must try to describe to the students who cannot see what the actor is doing without mimicking the actor’s actions. The other students in the classroom must work together to guess what the actor is trying to act out.
If the group is larger, the class can split into teams of four—where one person is the translator and the other three can’t see the actor. Facilitators can choose to set a one-minute timer to limit how long the teams can guess. The team that guesses in time earns a point and at the end of one round, the actor switches with whichever students wants to act next.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: None
One chosen student, the actor must act out anything he or she desires. All other students in the classroom have their back turned to the person acting so that they cannot see what he or she is doing. One student, the translator, can see what is happening. He or she must try to describe to the students who cannot see what the actor is doing without mimicking the actor’s actions. The other students in the classroom must work together to guess what the actor is trying to act out.
If the group is larger, the class can split into teams of four—where one person is the translator and the other three can’t see the actor. Facilitators can choose to set a one-minute timer to limit how long the teams can guess. The team that guesses in time earns a point and at the end of one round, the actor switches with whichever students wants to act next.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Self-reflection, Observation, Respecting differences, Empowerment
Supplies: Nametags
It’s important that you play this game once you know the group well, and leave lots of time for debrief and reflection. Prepare nametags in advance with both good and bad labels (examples: teacher’s pet, homeless, popular, good at math, wears glasses, athlete, gossip, rich, bully, etc.)
Begin by talking about the different labels people carry with them, and the positive and/or negative message these labels can send. Then give each person a label by sticking a nametag to his or her back. Once everyone has a nametag, the group should mingle, trying to figure out what label they have been given. People should act as if they are first meeting each other, and treat each other according to the labels on their backs. You might want to remind players that the way they are being treated in the game is not personal, everyone is playing a role. Give the group a couple minutes to mingle before gathering them in a circle to talk about the game. Thank players for participating and ask them to guess what their label was. When everyone has had a chance to guess, have them take their labels off and see if they were correct.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: Nametags
It’s important that you play this game once you know the group well, and leave lots of time for debrief and reflection. Prepare nametags in advance with both good and bad labels (examples: teacher’s pet, homeless, popular, good at math, wears glasses, athlete, gossip, rich, bully, etc.)
Begin by talking about the different labels people carry with them, and the positive and/or negative message these labels can send. Then give each person a label by sticking a nametag to his or her back. Once everyone has a nametag, the group should mingle, trying to figure out what label they have been given. People should act as if they are first meeting each other, and treat each other according to the labels on their backs. You might want to remind players that the way they are being treated in the game is not personal, everyone is playing a role. Give the group a couple minutes to mingle before gathering them in a circle to talk about the game. Thank players for participating and ask them to guess what their label was. When everyone has had a chance to guess, have them take their labels off and see if they were correct.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Introductions, Creativity, Observation
Have players sit in a circle. Tell them they are going to play a name game to help them get to know each other. Each person will say their name and they are going to a cookout/picnic/whatever. They should then say they are bringing something that starts with the same letter as their first name. For example, the first player says, “My name is Tom and I am going to a cookout. When I go, I am going to bring tamales.” Each successive person in the circle should introduce everyone who came before them in order before saying their name and their item.
Target Themes: Our space, Embracing Potential, Teamwork, Helping Others, Appreciation, Celebrating Differences
Split the group into three teams (or a number that seems most appropriate for the group). A facilitator announces a category; each team must then nominate a single member to demonstrate their talent. At the front of the room, the nominees will perform individually. Categories can vary greatly so that everyone finds something that they’re talented at (ex: best poet, best boy band impersonation, quickest math problem solver, most unique talent, etc.).
Target Themes: Community, Appreciation, Helping Others, Peacemakers for Life
Supplies: Hershey’s Kisses or other small candy (2 per player)
GET PERMISSION BEFORE GIVING YOUR STUDENTS CANDY.
Have the group sit in a circle and give each person two pieces of candy. Tell them not to eat them yet. Explain that one piece represents something that they appreciate about the group or thought the group did well and the other is something that they appreciate about themselves or something they did well. Give players a minute to think about what each of their kisses will be for and then go around the circle and have people share their kisses. Encourage everyone to share at least one of their kisses but if someone is really uncomfortable give them the option to pass. Once everyone has had a turn to share, participants may eat their kisses.
Variation: Instead of having one of the kisses be something they appreciate about the group or themselves, make it something they appreciate about another player in the circle. Have the person give their kiss to whomever they are recognizing, making sure that everyone gets one.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: Hershey’s Kisses or other small candy (2 per player)
GET PERMISSION BEFORE GIVING YOUR STUDENTS CANDY.
Have the group sit in a circle and give each person two pieces of candy. Tell them not to eat them yet. Explain that one piece represents something that they appreciate about the group or thought the group did well and the other is something that they appreciate about themselves or something they did well. Give players a minute to think about what each of their kisses will be for and then go around the circle and have people share their kisses. Encourage everyone to share at least one of their kisses but if someone is really uncomfortable give them the option to pass. Once everyone has had a turn to share, participants may eat their kisses.
Variation: Instead of having one of the kisses be something they appreciate about the group or themselves, make it something they appreciate about another player in the circle. Have the person give their kiss to whomever they are recognizing, making sure that everyone gets one.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Introductions, Embracing Potential, Observation, Community, Appreciating diversity, Peacemakers for Life
Supplies: index cards/name tags/ small pieces of paper, pens/markers, tape
Give each player a marker and an index card and ask them to write down five characteristics that describe them best. Examples are race, ethnicity, gender, religion, likes, dislikes, talents, hobbies, goals, achievements, and values. For younger children you can offer a prompt such as favorite food, holiday, color or something they’re good at. After everyone finishes creating their label, give them tape and have them tape their cards to their shirts and walk around the room. Tell them to look at other people’s cards and talk about what they’ve written. They can ask questions about the different things people have chosen to represent themselves or talk about the similarities and differences between them.
The idea is to give participants the chance to have conversations about their identity based on the qualities they value the most about themselves and direct people’s attention toward these aspects of their identity. After about ten minutes, bring the group back to debrief.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: index cards/name tags/ small pieces of paper, pens/markers, tape
Give each player a marker and an index card and ask them to write down five characteristics that describe them best. Examples are race, ethnicity, gender, religion, likes, dislikes, talents, hobbies, goals, achievements, and values. For younger children you can offer a prompt such as favorite food, holiday, color or something they’re good at. After everyone finishes creating their label, give them tape and have them tape their cards to their shirts and walk around the room. Tell them to look at other people’s cards and talk about what they’ve written. They can ask questions about the different things people have chosen to represent themselves or talk about the similarities and differences between them.
The idea is to give participants the chance to have conversations about their identity based on the qualities they value the most about themselves and direct people’s attention toward these aspects of their identity. After about ten minutes, bring the group back to debrief.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes