In's and Out's
What is a small group?
A place for students to feel welcome and meet peers!
Explain.... Name and a Food (Animal, place, etc.)?
Each person thinks of a food/animal/place that aligns with the first letter of their first name, then go around in a circle to (re)introduce everyone with their name and a food/animal/place.
Explain... One Good Thing
Each member introduces themselves, and with that they share one good thing that has happened recently.
Explain... Trainwreck (Cold wind blows)
Everyone stands in a circle except one person is in the middle. Put down a name tag as a placeholder, and the person in the middle will say "the cold wind blows if..." and you say something that applies to you that you think others will have in common with you. If you have that in common, you have to move to a new place holder. The last person who doesn't have a spot goes in the middle.
Explain... Grocery Store
Split into two teams and the facilitator will say a letter and the two opponents have to be the first to say a grocery store item, the winner gains a point. The objective is to get the most points.
What are the benefits of a small group?
Increased sense of belonging / Access to support and encouragement / Get to know peers and mentors / Comfortability asking questions etc.
Explain... Whose Missing?
Introduce everyone so everyone knows their names, then send one person out of the room to let the group figure out who is missing!!
Explain..... Two Truths and a Lie
Each member comes up with two events that are true about them, and one that is a lie. They share it with the group, and everyone has to decide which one the lie is.
Explain... Beat Master
Stand in a circle and select one person (the guesser) to go in a separate area. Once that person is removed, select another person (the beat master) to create a beat. Once you select one person to be the beat master, have the guesser come back and they have 3 attempts (depending on the size of the group) to figure out who the beat master is.
Split into two groups, each table with have 2 people. Each person will have X minutes to share things about them to have the other person get to know them. They will swap after the time is up and each share one thing they learned about the other person to the group.
How do you get a positive group dynamic?
Actively Listening / Sharing positive experiences / openness and directness etc.
Explain... Sheets
Split into 2 teams. Hold up a sheet in between the two groups so you cannot see anyone. Each team selects one person to go up to the sheet, once the sheet is pulled down who ever says the other persons name the fastest joins that team. The objective is to have the most people on 1 team (and learn names of course)
Explain... 21
Everyone who is able to stands up. The first person starts and can say up to 3 numbers at a time (ex 1 - 1,2 - or 1,2,3). The person who has to say 21 has to sit down and is out of the game.
Explain... Rock Paper Scissors Tournament
Students split off into pairs and play Rock, Paper, Scissors (can do 2/3). After they lose, the loser follows the winner around to find another pair to play continuous rounds. You continue this cycle until there are two winners left - the winner of that round is the ultimate winner and gets bragging rights!
Explain... Boom, Snap, Grab
What types of questions can you ask to encourage communication?
How was your trip to Oswego? Do you plan on participating in any clubs/organizations? What is your favorite ...? etc.
Explain... Name and a Dance Move
Everyone stands in circle, and when they introduce themselves they have a dance move (cannot repeat) that everyone does to associate with that person.
Explain... Favorite Song
Have everyone share their favorite song, or a song to describe ... right now.
Explain... Beach Ball
Explain... Zip, Zap, Zop