brainstorming sheet

The middle school students recently completed  a segment in P.E. during which they created their own games. Working in groups of five, I gave students the following instructions:

1.) include as many people as possible

2.)make the game as physically active as possible

3.) if the game includes people getting “out”, find a way for people to stay active/return to the game

After a few brainstorming sessions the groups were ready to test out their games. Most groups found that things didn’t always translate from paper to the playing field and made several adjustments. Next, they introduced their game to the larger group and everyone was ready to play…or were they?

problem solving

At the conclusion of the segment, I asked students what the most difficult part of the process was and a majority agreed that explaining the game to others proved to be a challenge. One student said “everyone has a different understanding of how to play”.  Another student added “it was difficult to explain exactly what you were thinking in your head”. As I listened I could sense and understand their frustration. There are times as a teacher when I have an idea in my head of how things will play out. Often is the case, however, that students’ interpretations lead lessons in a completely different direction. While this might cause momentary frustration, it is also the place where the “magic” happens, where teamwork and problem solving are at their best. This was certainly true for Create a Game as it provided challenges that the students had not anticipated but out of teamwork and problem solving came a healthy dose of exercise in a unique form.

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