Two Fun Classroom Games that Deepen Connection and Ignite a Growth Mindset!
Deepening connections and igniting a growth mindset are crucial for students' academic and personal success. When students feel connected to their peers and have a growth mindset, they are more likely to take risks, embrace challenges, and persevere through obstacles. These games provide a fun and interactive way to foster these important qualities in students, making them valuable additions to any classroom.
Group / Partner Games
1-2-3
Instructions: Pair people up. Have them face each other, decide who is partner A and who is partner B. Be sure to demonstrate the game with a volunteer first. Here is how the game works: Partner A says “one.” Partner B says “two”. Partner A says “three”. Then partner B says “one,” partner A says “two, and partner B says “three.” And so on. They keep going faster and faster until one person makes a mistake. When that happens, both people take responsibility for that mistake and they both yell “woohoo” and raise their arms together. After the group plays this game for 45 seconds, get their attention, and show the next version of this game. Instead of saying “one”, the partners will clap. They will still say “two” and “three.” Demonstrate that with a volunteer, then have the group play for 45 seconds. Then show them the next version. The partner will still clap on one, and now they will snap instead of saying two, and they will still say three. Let the group play for 45 seconds, and then show them the last version of the game. Participants will clap on one, snap on two, and stomp on three. Demonstrate that with a volunteer, then have the group play for 45 seconds. At the end of that round, tell the pairs to go back to saying one, two, three, for about 10 seconds and see what happens. It will be much easier for them. It’s important to remember to encourage the participants to celebrate their failures together with a woohoo.
—
Pass multiple claps
Tell your students that you are going to play the same game as Pass the Clap Woohoo!, however this time instead of passing one clap around, multiple claps will be passed. After the 1st clap passes ¼ of the circle, you will clap again. When the 2nd clap passes ¼ of the circle, clap a 3rd time. Three claps will be going around the circle. See whether all 3 claps get through the circle. It’s very common for a few students to pass the first clap and then to not be aware that another pass is coming, so remind students before you pass the claps that multiple claps are coming around this time. If a clap is lost midway through, at the end everyone can celebrate that failure with a WOOHOO! Encourage your students to be as fully present as you try the game again. If the group was successful in passing all three claps around, celebrate! For extra challenge, pass 5, 6, or even 7 claps around.
To see an instructional video clip of this game, go to eqschools.com/resources to access this resource.
Want all 35 improv games to energize your team, class, or group? Join as a paid member and unlock the full list!
🔒Get access to all 35 improv games here! ⬇️
P. S. Get more of these exercises in my book.