Download Ecological Heroism

Katie Nelson
Katie Krafthefer
Count On It
Goal: The purpose of this lesson is to introduce group nonverbal communication. (Why? Why is
non-verbal communication important?
Objectives: Students will:
1. Begin to recognize nonverbal communication.
2. Effectively respond to nonverbal communication.
3. Use creative problem solving strategies as a group.
Duration: 15 minutes
Audience: The audience will consist of 15-20 Ropes Course Management students.
Place: Woodland Hills Ropes Course
Equipment: None
Content/Methods: Students will be asked to collectively count to 20 as a group. Each person
can only say one number and counting cannot go in a circular direction. If two students speak at
the same time, the group must start over at 1. Facilitator will offer minimal instruction in order to
encourage group independence and problem solving. Upon completion of the activity, the
facilitator will lead a reflective discussion about the activity.
Management and Safety: Leader must keep close tabs on cold body language. If students
appear to be cold, a quick “scramble” will be used to warm up.
Evaluate:
 What worked well for this activity?Avoid this kind of global question. It is too vague. Strive
for questions that guide toward understanding of the purpose of the lesson (hint 0 they
should be tied directly to the objectives). E.g. How did you know how to respond to your
number? What clues did you receive from your team mates? Or, what clues dis you get from
______?
 How did your technique(s) evolve from the group’s first try to its last?Same as above. Try,
“What did you do to improve as the game became more efficient?
 What challenges did you face? Again, avoid these tyupes of questions. They are too global.
Work on questions that guide toward an understanding of what your purpose and objectives
are.
 How did you overcome these challenges? Tie in with the meaning of non-verbal
communication.
Do you notice that none of your questions lead toward an “effective” use of non-verbal
communication. Because of that, it will be tough for you and your students to make any kind of
headway toward appropriate use of non-verbal communication.
Follow-up: This initiative falls into a sequence of activities presented in the Ropes Course
Management class. Next week it would be appropriate to implement further concepts of trust and
introduce physical contact.
References:
Cain, Jim, and Jolliff. Teamwork & Teamplay. Brockport, NY: Kendall/Hunt, 1998.List your
pages. I can’t go to the place in the book to see how you used your information. So, always
identify the pages that guided you.