The Star Game

1. To encourage meaningful talk.
2. To encourage discussion about the nature of power.

• Small paper stars, triangles and squares for each student to pin onto their clothing. Students should make these the day before.
• 50 red chips, 50 blue chips, & 50 yellow chips. These can be squares cut from coloured card, or tiddly-wink pieces.

The class is split into three equal groups called the Stars, The Squares and The Triangles. Each group member has to wear the symbol of their group, a star, square or triangle.

Each Star is given an equal share of the red chips. Each Square is given a share of the blue chips, and each Triangle is given a share of the yellow chips.

Tell the students that the aim of the game is to get the most chips by trading with each other. There can only be one winner.

• 1 Red Chip = 50 Points
• 1 Blue Chip = 20 points
• 1 Yellow Chip = 10 points

Tell students that if they do not wish to trade they must cross their arms. Any player who wishes to trade must take another player whose arms are not crossed by the hand, and then they must swap 1 chip. Allow trade for 3 minutes. Anyone who resists trading, even though their arms were not folded is removed from the game.

The names of the top five students with the most chips are written on the board.

The class is told that there are 3 bonus chips to be distributed. The Stars are told that they may give the 3 chips to whoever they choose. If the chips are not used, they must be returned, and any decision must be by majority vote of all the Stars.

Students are given a further 3 minutes to trade, with the same rules applying. The Stars are told that they have the right to make any new rules they wish to make. These are decided by majority vote of all the Stars.

The teacher then needs to repeat the trading session, and play it by ear, as anything could happen. If there is a revolt by the Squares and Triangles, the teacher should announce that the Squares now have the right to make up any rules by majority vote of the Squares.