Age Group: PreK - 5th

Number of Students: The more the merrier, but divide into groups of 6-10 students. Each group should have an even number of students.

Duration: 10-15 minutes +

Overview

Students will learn to problem solve and work together as they work to untangle themselves from a knot

Materials

• Open space

Instructions

1. Gather students in an open space and form a circle, standing (6-10 per circle, make multiple groups as needed, even number of students in each circle.)

2. Explain the game.
   Instructor: “Have each group form a circle and grab the right hand of the person directly across from them. Then, have them grab someone else's left hand. Without letting go of hands, the group needs to untangle themselves. Students will need to twist and turn so they may shift grips while still holding on. When they finish, they should be standing in a circle, holding hands. *On occasion the solution will be two linked rings.*”

3. Questions?

4. Begin game.

Reflection Questions:

1. Did you face any challenges? If so, what steps did you all take to solve them?

2. Did your group come up with more than one solution?

3. How did you all determine which solution to use?

Age Group: PreK - 5th

Number of Students: 4 students + 

Duration: 15-20minutes +

Overview

Students will challenge their problem solving skills as they work to score the most goals.

Materials

• Open space

• 1 basketball

• Flags, colors, or something to designate teams in a gym

• Use two hoops on either side of gym (if outside or in another space, use something to designate two basketball hoops)

Instructions

1. Players should be divided into two even teams.

2. On a full court, teams should each be assigned a basket in which they will score. (In a half-court game, an area should be marked where the ball must be returned after a defensive rebound in order to restart the offense.)

3. Toss the ball in the air between two players for a jump ball at half court for more experienced players or Ro Sham Bo with lower skilled players to see which team receives first possession of the ball.

4. The game is played with the same rules as regular basketball, except that players may not dribble the basketball.

5. When a player has possession of the ball, s/he can only pivot, pass, or shoot.

6. Players who do not have control of the ball can move and try to get open for a pass.

7. Questions?

8. Begin game

Variations

• On a full court, a second ball can be added to increase the pace of the game and increase contact with the ball.

• Designate a specific number of passes that a team must make before they are allowed to shoot and/or make a rule that every player must receive a pass before a shot is attempted.

Reflection Questions

1. How did you feel not being able to dribble the ball?

2. How did your team work together to follow the rules? (Depends on the variations)

3. Was it difficult following the normal rules of basketball? If so, how?

Age Group: PreK-2nd 

Number of Students: 6 students +, but need even pairs of students

Duration: 10-15 minutes +

Overview

Students will challenge their problem solving skills by standing up as a pair while holding hands.

Materials

• Open space

Instructions

1. Gather students in an open space.

2. Explain the game.
   Instructor: “First, we’ll get into pairs. Each pair will sit down on the ground with the soles of your feet touching. Have them grasp hands and lean back as they try to pull themselves up into a standing position. Once a pair has accomplished this, you’ll combine with another successful pair and see if all 4 can do it. Then another, and another, and another, until the entire group has joined hands and can all stand up together.”

3. Questions?

4. Begin game

Reflection Questions:

• What are some ideas you used to try and stand up? Did they all work?

• How did you feel if the solution you gave did not work?

• Did anyone lead your group? Did this make it easier to find the solution?

Age Group: PreK - 5th

Number of Students: 6 students + 

Duration: 10-15 minutes +

Overview

Students will challenge their problem solving skills by passing a hula hoop around a circle while students are holding hands

Materials

• Open space

• Hula hoops

Instructions

1. Gather students in an open space.

2. Explain the game.
   Instructor: “First, we’ll form a large circle and join hands. Break the circle and place a hula hoop between two people in the circle. Without releasing hands, the group must pass the hoop around the circle and end at the starting point.”

3. Questions?

4. Begin game.

5. After the group completes this once. Challenge them by:

   • Passing the hoop around in a faster time

   • Adding multiple hula hoops

   • Breaking into groups and having teams race each other

   • Blindfolding students

Reflection Questions:

• What challenges did you face during this game?

• Did your team become faster at passing the hula hoop after multiple tries? Why?

• Did more than one person have an idea for a solution? How did you take everyone’s ideas into consideration?

Age Group: PreK-2nd 

Number of Students: 8 students or more (groups larger than 15 might want to break into two groups)

Duration: 10-15 minutes +

Overview

Students will challenge their problem solving skills by quickly passing balls around the circle, keeping one away from the other.

Materials

• Open space

• 2 balls of different sizes and/or colors

Instructions

1. Gather students in an open space and have the group form a circle.

2. Hand the balls out to two people on opposite sides of the circle. Designate which ball is the fox and which one is the rabbit. Explain that each ball is like a hot potato and should not be held for more than one second.

3. Explain the game.
   Instructor: “The object of the game is for the fox to catch the rabbit. Both the fox and the rabbit move by being passed (not thrown) around the circle in any direction. If a student is holding the fox they should pass the ball to the person next to them, whomever is closer to the rabbit. Those players holding the rabbit should pass to someone farther away from the fox. When the fox catches the rabbit, start a new round.”

4. Questions?

5. Begin game.

Variations

• For younger groups start, with a Hot Potato warm up, giving them the basic idea of how to receive the ball and get rid of it quickly.

• If the group can’t catch the rabbit, add an extra fox to the game.

• Add multiple balls and see if they can cross over each other.

Reflection Questions

• What made this game difficult for you?

• Did you work together to find solutions? What worked?

• How did you feel when your solution worked?

Age Group: PreK - 5th

Number of Students: 4 students + 

Duration: 10-15 minutes +

Overview

Students will challenge their problem solving skills by passing a can around without using their hands.

Materials

• Open space 

• Can (or another similar-sized object)

Instructions

1. Gather students in an open space.

2. Explain the game
   Instructor: “The group must form a circle, with each person spread about a foot apart. The challenge is for the group to pass the can around the circle without using their hands or dropping the can.”
   
   Note: The group will be more excited and engaged if there is an imaginary content of the can that will spill out if it is dropped. Ideas include: toxic waste, flesh-eating insects, an angry badger, etc.

3. Questions?

4. Begin game.

5. After the group completes one option or task, have them try it again a different way.

   • Instead of a circle, try a line from point A to point B

   • Form two teams and have them race against each other

   •  For an extra challenge, bind each participant’s hands together with a bandanna.

Reflection Questions:

• What different solutions did you come up with?

• How did you determine what would work and what might not?

• If a solution didn’t work, what did you do next?