Shape Up!
Situation You want to bring focus to your group with an exercise that will introduce your topic in a climate of energy and playfulness. You would like to divide your group into teams that will generate ideas about your content. You hope this event will create an ongoing interest in the topic that will carry you through the entire program.
Purpose This icebreaker activity will establish a problem-solving climate and bring participants into problem-solving groups.
Time 15 to 30 minutes.
Number of participants 15 to 32.
Supplies Needed:
□ One or more newsprint flipcharts and felttipped markers.
□ A set of task assignments prepared in advance by the facilitator.
□ Paper and pencils for the participants.
Sample Task AssignmentsIf you plan to use the game “Shape Up!” in your training, here are some examples of task assignments to write on the shapes. (These samples are appropriate for a time management training session.)
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□ Three sheets each of different color construction paper.
□ Two or more fine-tipped permanent markers.
□ Scissors or paper cutter.
□ Four or more No. 10 envelopes.
□ Masking tape.
Preparing for the Activity:
□ Determine the number of task assignments you want resolved and choose a shape for each task.
□ Write the tasks you wish each subgroup to accomplish on the appropriate shape.
□ Determine the number of participants you want in each subgroup. Then cut the shape into the appropriate number of irregular pieces. For example, if you want four members in each subgroup, cut each shape into four pieces. (See the figure Shape Up! for an example.)
□ In accordance with your group size, determine the number of tasks and the number of participants in each subgroup. For a group of 16, plan four tasks and four participants in each subgroup. This requires four different shapes (circle, square, star, and heart), each cut into four pieces. For larger groups, consider using more than one color for each shape.
Overview of Player Activity:
Distribute one piece of a shape to each player.
Have participants find other players whose pieces complete the shape.
Give each subgroup six minutes to complete the task written on the shape.
Call time at the end of six minutes.
Have each subgroup report on its task assignment.
Award one point for each item developed. The subgroup with the most points is declared the winner (optional).
Debrief and discuss the activity, as required.
Variations:
Focus the debrief questions on identifying which participants took leadership, and post the results.
Switch the task assignment after each subgroup has reported. Assign another subgroup to expand on the solutions devised by the original problem-solving group.
Omit one piece from each shape to determine how participants handle ambiguity.
Assign one point for each item presented. Determine if awarding points adds too much competition to the activity.
Allow the group to vote for the most creative or most practical solutions, and award prizes.