Invasive Species In A Bag

POPULATION: General use

SPACE REQUIREMENTS: Outdoors or Room

EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS: A paper bag filled with a number of Invasive Species photo cards or environmental items that would be useful in the development of a Invasive Species game. It should include a writing utensil and piece of paper for the development of rules, possibly a larger piece of paper for a game board, and some other objects that can be used as game pieces if the group so chooses.

SIZE OF GROUP: Small group

PROGRAM GOALS:

1. To increase cooperation skills among group members.

2. To provide a setting for individuals to practice the skills necessary for appropriate decision making within a small group.

3. To increase appropriate communication skills between members of the group.

DESCRIPTION/PROCEDURE:

The group is given the bag of supplies and then given simple instructions of the task they are to complete. Participants are instructed to use every object in the bag to create a new game that they will have the opportunity to play during subsequent activity groups.

The first task is to develop the type of game they will create and give it a name. They are then to develop a list of rules (each person must suggest and have accepted one rule, and each rule must be agreed on by 75 percent of the group). It is left to the group to make necessary decisions with little intervention from the leader.

Once the game is completed (named, rules developed, and a game board and pieces are completed). Processing the experience with the group is important. Take the time needed for this step.

For example, discussion could focus on whether the group cooperated toward the common goal of creating an invasive species game, how decisions were made and by whom, and how much the group communicated with one another. The discussion may also cover whether the new game resembles any real life issues about invasive species.

LEADERSHIP CONSIDERATIONS

More intervention may be necessary depending on the ages and involvement in prior learning about invasive species.

Encourage processing of each situation as it may occur in real life.

Types and numbers of photos in bag should reflect the level and abilities of the participants

VARIATIONS:

1. When working with larger groups, the leader may divide the group in half, giving each group identical bags, and then allowing each group to play the other group’s game at the end.