Age Group: PreK - 5th

Number of Students: 4 students or more, preferably an even number with students in pairs

Duration: 10-15 minutes +

Overview

Students will challenge their perspective taking as they try to trick their partner by changing their appearance

Materials

• Open space

Instructions

1. Gather students in an open space and have them find a partner

2. Explain the game
   
   Instructor: “Each pair of students will study their partner’s appearance for one minute. After the one minute, each pair of students will turn around and change their appearance in a few ways. (You might turn around and untie your shoelaces, untuck your shirt, move your hair a different way, put your collar down, roll up your sleeves, etc.) Once the students turn back around, they will have to spot all the differences in their partner. If they guess correctly, they can stay partners and do it again. If they are incorrect, they will switch partners to someone new and try again. Students also have the choice to not change their appearance to trick their partner.”

3. Questions?

4. Begin game.

Reflection Questions:

1. How many differences did you spot the first time? Did you spot more the more you played? Why do you think so?

2. Did you make obvious changes or smaller ones? Which ones were easier to spot?

3. What did you do to change your perspective? (Did you take a step back, walk around them, etc?)

Age Group: PreK - 5th

Number of Students: 4 students + 

Duration: 15-20 minutes +

Overview

Students will practice perspective building as they use objects not how they were intended

Materials

• Open space, 

• Random objects (chairs, rope, balls, cones, pillows, art supplies, game pieces, nets, scooters, mats -- anything that can be found in a gym and/or a classroom)

Instructions

1. Gather students in an open space and have them sit near the pile of objects

2. Explain the game
   
   Instructor: “The object of the game is to think in a different way and transform an object into something new and unrelated. You will use the object to act out what it is. Whoever guesses what it is supposed to be will get the chance to choose and transform the next object.”

3. Show an example.  (For example, a cone can become binoculars or a telescope. A ball can become an apple, a rope can become a snake, etc.)

4. Questions?

5. Begin game.

Reflection Questions

1. What were you thinking when it was your turn to act?

2. Was it hard to think of something? Why?

3. How did you feel when you were able to guess what someone was using the object for?

4. Did you have any ideas (different perspective) for some of the objects your classmates used? What was it?

Age Group: PreK - 5th

Number of Students:4 students or more, preferably an even number- students will be in pairs

Duration: 15-20 minutes +

Overview

Students will practice perspective taking as they describe secret objects to each other

Materials

• Open space

• Chairs for each student

• K-2nd only: typically found, random objects, such as balls, cones, pillows, art supplies, game pieces, nets, scooters, mats -- anything that can be found in a gym and/or a classroom

Instructions

1. Gather students in an open space and have them sit in chairs, in pairs, back to back.

2. Instructors can choose to have each pair of students go at the same time, or, have only one pair go at one time in the center of the room, while the other students watch and listen.

3. Explain the game. 
   
   Instructor: “In pairs, seated in chairs back to back (so players can’t see each other), choose a partner A and a partner B. Partner B will go first. Partner B will think of an everyday type of object (3rd-5th can use their own imagination, prek-2nd might need objects in the room to use), and partner B will describe said object to the best of their ability without naming it or giving it away. Partner A will have 3 chances to guess the object. If they guess correctly, they get to describe the next object. If they guess incorrectly, partner B gets to go again.”

4. Again, the instructor can choose to have all pairs working at the same time or have students watch each pair. If all students work together, then have them switch partners after they have each described their objects. If students are working one pair at a time, once each has gone, then a new set of partners can come up.

5. Show an example with a student. 

6. Questions?

7. Begin game

*Variation* If you like, the students can draw what their partner is describing and see if they can guess from the drawing.

Reflection Questions:

1.       What type of hints did you provide to help your partner guess the object you had chosen?

2.       How did it feel being the student trying to guess the object?

3.       How did it feel being the student picking the object and giving hints?

4.     Did you face any challenges while playing this game? Explain.

Age Group: Prek-2nd

Number of Students: 8 students +

Duration: 10-15 minutes +

Overview

Students will practice perspective taking as they are given a task with very few rules.

Materials

• Open space

• Object, like a can

Instructions

1. Gather students in an open space.

2. Explain the game.
   
   Instructor: “Everyone must touch the can at the same time.”
   
   Instructor note: There will be questions. Simply state the one and only rule and object of the game: “everyone must touch the can at the same time.” It is up to the students to brainstorm and be creative!

3. Begin game.

*Variations:

• Depending on the size of the group, use larger AND smaller items, and gradually get the group to come closer and closer together physically. 

• Facilitator may have the group transport the object to a different area with an unexpected method (imagine a group of 10 people carrying a plastic throwing disc across the room on their knees.)

Reflection Questions

• How did it feel only being provided with one direction?

• How well did your team work together to take everyone's perspectives into consideration?

• How did you feel if your perspective or idea was ignored?

Age Group: PreK - 5th

Number of Students: 8 students +

Duration: 15-20 minutes +

Overview

Students will practice perspective building and taking as they form a tableau to describe a current book, movie, or TV show

Materials

Open space

Instructions

1. Gather students in an open space and divide them into teams. (Teams need at least 3-4 people to work.)

2. Explain a tableau. The full name is “tableau vivant,” or “living picture” – a frozen, silent scene meant to tell a story visually.

3. What are the rules of tableau? The scene must tell a story visually, without movement or sound. And yes, of course students can blink and breathe!

4. Explain the game.
   
   Instructor “In your group, you will decide what famous book, movie, or TV show you want to represent. Choose one that is well known by all.”
   
   “We will move some groups into the hallway or other areas so they cannot see or hear what the other groups are doing. You will work with your group to create a tableau, a silent and still picture that will tell the story of what you are trying to represent. I will give you all about 5 minutes to create your tableau. When we come back together, everyone will try and guess what your tableau represents. Whoever guesses correctly gets a point. If no one can guess, the tableau team gets a point. The team that has the most points at the end wins.”

5. Instructors should show an example with a few students. (Example: tableau of 3 little pigs)

6. Questions?

7. Begin game.

Note: 3rd-5th will likely be fine on their own, PK-2nd may need examples.

Reflection Questions:

1. How did your team decide on a tableau subject without talking?

2. What were important hints to include in order for others to understand your tableau?

3. What important hints or movements did the guesser try and pay attention to?

Age Group

3rd-5th 

Number of Students

Min- 8, +

Overview

Students will practice perspective taking as they are given a task with little to no rules

Materials

Open space, some art supplies 

Duration

10-15 minutes +

Instructions

1. Gather students in an open space. Split into groups of 6-8 people each.

2. Have art supplies and various objects out.

3. Explain the game, Instructor: “Build a Pyramid.”

4. Questions- There will be questions. Simply state the one and only rule and object of the game- “build a pyramid.” That is all that needs to be said of the instructor. It is up to the students to brainstorm and get creative with this. Give the groups 5-10 minutes.

5. Begin game

6. *After the allotted time- have each group present their pyramid. Then discuss: ask the group if their solution was the only possible solution to the problem. Was it the easiest? Was it the safest? Can the group brainstorm other ideas to build a pyramid?*

   1. Instructor notes: Students could make a pyramid as a group lying down, students could make a pyramid vertical, like cheerleaders, students could use art supplies to build a pyramid, students could draw a pyramid, etc. Solutions are endless.

   2. It is never mentioned how they do it

   3. It is never mentioned to make one with or without materials

Reflection Questions:

1. How did it feel having a small amount of direction?

2. How did your team take everyone's perspective into consideration?

3. How did you decide on what materials to use when the list was unlimited?