School is back and summer is a memory. I was lucky enough to spend my summer working at Super Camp in Hong Kong. The city is absolutely amazing and has so much to offer. We visited the Big Buddha, went to local beaches, shopped at lady's market and then finally-- one of the best parts, I worked two residential camps (about 20 days) with local Hong Kong kids. This year I was responsible for teaching accelerated learning strategies and the cool thing about teens is learning happens the same way for everyone. The HK teens were very similar to the USA teens; their favorite things include sports, music, computer games, Facebook/Myspace, etc. Yes, there are a few differences in the cultures and foods, but for the most part people are people.
Since I have been home I have had the amazing opportunity to lead a few student council retreats with Vista Murrieta and their sister school, Calavera Hills and the other local middle school, Yorba Linda Middle School and Valley High School. The more I am around student council students the more I am excited for what is happening in our schools. These students are truly doing everything in their power to make school a place where other students feel included and place where people want to be vs. “have to be.” Great job and I look forward to hearing about your successes this year!!!
What is coming up???? Ohhh my new book and game are almost done. I know I have shared with a few of you about my recent projects and the closer we get to December, the closer I am to releasing my first book and leadership game. Stay tuned, more to come on that….
Until then, here is an “easy to run” ice breaker you can lead with your students. Or if you are a student leader, this is a great one to run before a meeting and to build rapport.
It’s called, What Are You Doing?
It is very simple. You need 2 people to play (everyone can play at once, just partner up).
One partner starts miming an action. For example, partner 1 can pretend to ride a bike.
Partner 2 ask, “What are you doing?"
Partner 1 must say ANOTHER action that is NOT what they are doing or related to what they are doing and partner 2 gets to mime that action.
EXAMPLE:
1st person begins to ride a bike. .
2nd person "What are you doing?"
1st person "I am cutting my hair.”
Now, the 2nd person must BEGIN to do that action suggested.
The 1st person now says "What are you doing?" and so on.
If a person says what they are miming or doing (rather then something different) then the game starts again. The person remaining starts a brand new action.
The group that I played with always tried to out do each other with outrageous actions like:
"Teaching my dad how to ride tigers" or "cleaning my hamsters teeth."
Enjoy and I look forward to funny stories!
