Karen L. Brown

A.     Lesson Title: Obstacle Course

B.     Type of Lesson: Warm-up / Social Skills Development / Trust Development

C.     Target Group: Grades 6 – 12, Class Size: 10 - 25

D.    Approximate Length: 15 – 30 minutes

E.     Materials Needed: about 15 chairs and room to set up an obstacle course

F.      Objectives:

-Competency Goal #2—The learner will act by interacting in improvisations and assuming roles.

-Objectives—2.03 Recognize the use of divergent thinking in the creative process.  2.04 Employ creative action and thinking skills.  2.05 Expand and exhibit the use of problem solving skills.  2.07 Develop a perception of self through observations of self and others.  2.09 Show evidence of developing the mind, body, and voice as the creative, performing instrument.  2.11 Understand and participate in physical warm-ups to develop focus and creativity.

G.    Procedure: The teacher asks for two volunteers: one to be the “guide” and one to be the “guided.”  The two students leave the room for a moment and the rest of the class is asked to quickly set up an obstacle course with the 15 chairs.  The obstacle course needs to be set up to move in and around the chairs, not over them—a maze of sorts.  The guided is blindfolded before re-entering the room.  Then the teacher explains that the guide is to vocally (orally) – without touching – lead the guided through the obstacle course without running into the chairs.  The guided has to remain quiet and cannot ask the guide any questions.  Remind the guide to be specific and use detail.  Remind the guided to use good listening skills.  Remind the “audience” to pay attention to the strategies used by the guide and the guided, and remind them to stay quiet because the communication between the two is very important.  Let several pairs go to let the students discover and learn different strategies and ways of solving the obstacle.  With each new guide and guided, the students set up a new obstacle course.

H.    Evaluation: The students will discuss what they liked and disliked about the warm-up, they will discuss the different strategies used—why they did or did not work, and they will discuss what they learned about themselves and others around them.  Also, the teacher will evaluate the students individually with points by using the following system:

1) Following the rules / directions                                              1          2          3          4

2) Cooperation                                                                         1          2          3          4

3) Contributions                                                                        1          2          3          4

4) Focus                                                                                   1          2          3          4

5) Being a Good Audience Member                                          1          2          3          4

The teacher will circle the number that best describes the student’s participation.

            *Point values: 1 = 14 points—Needs Improvement

                                    2 = 16 points—Fair

                                    3 = 18 points—Good

                                    4 = 20 points—Excellent

                                    The possible number of points = 100 points