Head-Shoulders-Toes
Head-Shoulders-Toes
Purpose
To build a sense of community with in the group
To have fun
Time
15-20 minutes for the activity
5-10 minutes to debrief
Groupings
Groups of 7-10 students
Room Set Up
Outside, or a room with flexible space free of tables or obstructions
Goal
To be the first team to complete the touch sequence
Directions
Have the teams line up in a straight line facing forward.
Teams can line up next to each other about 5'-6' apart.
Standing in front of the teams, give the following directions: Your team is competing against the other teams in the class.
Your goal is to be the first team to complete the touch sequence moving it from the beginning of the line to the end of the line and back to the beginning again.
A touch sequence consists of touching the head-shoulders-toes.
You much touch each body part. You cannot simply slide your hands down your team member's body. That is cheating.
Play begins at the facilitator's signal with the first person in each team touching his head-shoulders-toes.
He then turns around and touches the head-shoulders-toes of the second person in line, and remains facing the back of the line.
The second person turns around and touches the head-shoulders-toes of the third person, and remains facing the back of the line.
Play continues until the last person in line has her head-shoulders-toes touched. She then repeats the touch sequence, head-shoulders-toes, touching the player facing her.
This player, then turns around and touches the head-shoulders-toes of the person facing him.
The play continues until the second person in line completes the touch sequence, head-shoulders-toes, of the first person in line.
The first person, still facing the back of the line, then touches his head-shoulders-toes and turns around putting his hands in the air and giving a shout to let everyone know the team is finished.
Have the teams take a practice run to see how the touch sequence works. The very end of the line and the first person in the line are sometimes confusing places and may take a time or two before the lead or end person are comfortable with their actions.
Once the teams are comfortable with the touch sequence, let the game begin!
You may want to rotate positions, giving other team members the option to be in the first or last line positions.
Debriefing
Was this an easy or difficult activity? Why?
If you were at the beginning or end of the line, how much pressure did you feel? Why?
What kind of pressure did you feel in the middle of the line?
Did the anticipation of your turn add to your stress level? Why?
Can you think of a time when anticipation entered into a task you were doing? When?
Did the anticipation make you more efficient or less efficient? Why?
If you reversed the touch sequence, which sequence was harder? Why?
Was this a fun activity?
Variations
Have teams reverse the touch sequence, toes-shoulders-head. This is especially effective if you have teams or team members who are simply sliding their hands down team members bodies rather than touching each body part.
Reduce the element of competition by having teams compete against the clock rather than each other.
Think of a different touch sequence and give it a try.
