From Chapter Five, Talk It Up

Team Talk

Name things that are ordered (days, weeks, a meal)

Name kinds of space (outer space, space for rent, space heater)

Name things that are supposed to break (an egg, a leg, a newsbreak)

Fairy Tale Fun

What was Rip Van Winkle most surprised by when he awoke?

What would have happened if Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard had been full?

From Chapter Six, Construction For The Whole Crew

Throw A Balloon

Set Up

Gather the materials listed below. Place all materials on a table. Mark a starting point on the floor with tape. Beyond the starting point should be a minimum of fifteen feet of clear space. Read the list of construction materials and the team instructions out loud to the team.

Construction Materials

5 un-inflated balloons
1 rubber eraser
5 drinking straws
10 mailing labels
5 paper clips
1 paper plate

Team Instructions

Using the materials provided, devise a method to move a balloon as far as possible from the starting point. You have five minutes to come up with a plan and test it. You will be notified when you have one minute remaining. At the end of the building time, you will have three opportunities to launch a balloon for distance. After each launch, you must decide if you want to have the distance measured or try again for a longer distance. You will receive up to ten points each for creativity, communication and cooperation. You will also receive one bonus point for every foot of distance the balloon travels.

Proud of your solution? Submit a photo of your far flung balloon and I'll post it to my Great Solutions page for all to see.

From Chapter Seven, Move It!

Cut, Tie, Zip!

Set Up

Gather the materials from the list below and place them on a table. Read the materials list and team instructions out loud to the team.

Team Materials

2 pieces of paper
1 pair of lace up shoes (untied)
A container filled with 25 toothpicks
A sandwich sized zip top bag
Scissors*

*may not be altered

Team Instructions

You have two minutes to complete the following tasks: Cut one piece of paper into four pieces and one piece of paper into six pieces; tie the shoelaces on both shoes into bows and put toothpicks into the zip top bag and seal it, without touching any of the toothpicks. But here's the catch: each team member can only use one hand in completing this task. You must each place one hand behind your back. You will be notified when you have only one minute remaining. You will receive up to ten points each for creativity, communication and cooperation. You will also receive five bonus points for each successfully completed task.

Order Up!

Set Up

Place the materials listed below on a table and allow room in which the team can perform. Read the list of improv materials and the team instructions out loud to the team. Note to team leader: you'll need a bell or similar noisemaker for your part in this task.

Improv Materials

3 sheets of paper
10 toothpicks
5 bandage strips
12" square of aluminum foil
2 binder clips
2 cardboard tubes
5 rubber bands

Team Instructions

It's Friday night at the diner and everyone is having a good time until the milk shake machine breaks down. You have five minutes to create props and plan a scene from the diner that includes at least one police officer. You will be notified when you have one minute of time remaining. Following the planning time, you will have two minutes in which to portray your evening at the diner. But wait! There's a catch. As you perform, you must alternate between sound and silence. A bell will signal you to move from speaking to silence; you should make the transition as seamless as possible. You will receive up to ten points each for creativity, communication and cooperation. You will also receive ten bonus points if you make it through the silent portions of your performance without uttering a sound.