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Teach like a Champion 2.0

Doug Lemov

Content

Teach like a Champion 2.0 is not like a the other books we discussed before. Instead of a book with icebreakers and energizers, this book lays it’s focus on teaching. It is a fantastic book that ever teacher should have on his shelf. But also if you are not a teacher we, from 101icebreakers, believe that Teach like a Champion can help you in your professional life. Despite the fact that it was not made for meetings and teambuilding. The principals used to engage students, can be used to engage employees or other member of your team. Moreover the book can help you develope  your teaching skills. And many of the thing used by teachers are also valuable in businesslife.

Appearance

Teach like a Champion 2.0 consists of 12 chapters. Each chapter has it’s own purpose. For example, Building character and trust, Systems and routines, or Setting high expectations. These are all themes that occur in books about icebreakers. And with the book comes a set of videos in which teachers show you how you can handle certain situations. The writer, Doug Lemov, is also managing director of Uncommon Schools. It is their mission to raise the standards at low-incomes schools through great teachers and give the students a better chance of getting to college.

If you want to order the book or read more about it, you can click here.

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Energizers!

Susan Lattanzi Roser

Content

Energizers! contains 88 energizers for children. The motto of the book is “To learn well, children need to move!” The idea behind the book is that children learn better when the exercise and let their energy out. In Energizers! you will find energizers that are easy to teach and learn. There are energizers for every age and include suggestions and variations to make sure that the fit the group. The activities are labeled by grade level. The energizers can help to calm the children down but also to stimulate them. And they can be done anywhere, Inside and Outside, in a circle, or waiting in line.

Appearance

Energizers! starts with 12 tips on how to use the energizer which is very convenient. Roser explains the energizers very good. On the side of the page is helpful information such as the pronounciation of certain words or for which grade the activity is suitable. The pictures in the book look really nice and match with the philosophy of the book. Energizers! uses music and rhythm to get the children engaged. A lot of the energizers involve singing or clapping. The writer has a lot of experience with chilren and learning and combines this with a love for piano.

If you want to order the book or read more about it, you can click here.

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Mine field

You can use Mine field if you want to teach people how to adapt to the style of communication that others have. But it is also very entertaining.

This activity promotes:

• Teambuilding
• Acceptation & Understanding
• Making Agreements
• Teamwork
• Many more….

Instructions:

Time: 20 – 30 min

Participants: 2 or more

Inside and Outside

Active

Required materials:

Anything that can be used as a obstacle (mine). Think of  frisbees, pillars, plates, bags and more. You can use ropes to define the Mine field.

Arrangement

Give instructionds while the participants stand in a circle.

Frame

The participant work in couples.

How it works:

• One of the two is blindfolded( you can also close your eyes).
• The other stand on the other side of the mine field and will guide the person that is blindfolded through the field.
• Guided by the instruction of the other the blindfolded person walks through the mine field. If he/she touches one of the mines however they have to start again.
• If the blindfolded person makes it to the other side. He/she makes contact with the other persons hand and the mission has been accomplished.

Differentation

• Multiple people cross the mine field from different directions.

Evaluation

What happened?

What did the other person need?

What did you learn?

Security check

Give good intructions and pay attention to the game. Avoid people walking into walls if you play indoors.

 

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Playing Transformer tag

Here is another old-fashioned active game which was invented for children but is very fun to do with adults.

Required materials

None

Arrangement

Arrange the children in a group, standing or sitting.

Concept

Tell the group that it’s important to put differences and habits aside. There won’t be fixed teams and it can happen that you suddenly belong to the team of the ” opponent”.

How it works:

• Show the group the two possible positions which they can use
• Tell the participants that they have to choose between two positions but that they aren’t allowed to tell their position to others.
• If you say “transform” the participants start standing in their choosen position.
• The teams tap eachother. If you are tapped you transform to another position and belong to the other team.
• Keep on until 1 team is left.

It can be played multiple times if the group likes it. Make clear that with each new game a different position can be choosen.

Differentiation

Let the group think of two new positions/postures themselves. If those postures can be carried out well will turn out later.

Evaluation

Not needed

Points of interest

Fairplay is important, if you are tapped you belong to the other team.

Security check

Explain how people are supposed to tap, in order to prevent taps that look more like beating and pushing.