Michelle Illg Kean University Department of PERH Dr.

Valentine REC 3900 Planning & Organizing Activities

Self-Evaluative Critique

Due to time constraints, I was only able to lead one activity of the four that I outlined. (I did four because of the concern over one being similar to a game that had been played in class after we submitted our initial plans, even though my version would have been quite different.) I did have many other activity ideas as well, which I simply listed in a blog entry, and I included the link in my write-up. The activity that I presented was called I Love You, Baby; Wont You Smile For Me? Unfortunately, another student had planned to play the same game, and we did not have a chance to discuss that matter beforehand. Perhaps I could have chosen one of my other activities and allowed her to lead that one. It was inevitable that some people should have wanted to use the same or similar ideas, so having multiple choices was necessary in order to enjoy greater variety. I wound up explaining the ways that the rest of my activities work, and the setups that I had for them. In asking the group to choose which of mine to actually perform, I sensed that they would opt for the simplest, and first, option. Time-wise, it did work out fairly nicely. I was, however, prepared to be able to lead all four of my planned activities, had I had an entire period to myself. I was equipped with a Bingo cage and boards, two bells, my online music playlists assembled, Chain Reaction word chains and Lightning Round flashcards, United States and world maps, bags of states and capitals, and a list of nations and world capitals for the other three plans. For the selected game, my biggest preparation was simply to be familiar enough with the rules to be able to explain it understandably and guide the participants through it without constantly reading from the instruction sheet.

Motivating the group proved to be something of a challenge because most members were obviously eager to get everything over with and to go home; later classes always struggle to maintain peoples attention, even when they are full of fun and games that are designed to be stress-reducing. Although others tended to be a bit easily distracted, difficult to focus, or rowdy, I think I did a decent job of keeping everyone under control, cooperating, and playing properly. Interestingly, the game went on for longer than I anticipated, because everyone eventually got into it, using up all the emotions on the board. I wasnt even certain at that point whether to have them start again at the beginning or to let them use whichever ones they pleased. Even though a select few people were frequently picked on as easy targets and thus spent the most time inside the circle as It, that is part of how the activity works. People learn which of their peers are the most reactive, and whom has greater self-control, while attempting to improve their own or to devise personal tricks for withholding a smile. It can be a tricky game to referee and should never be taken as a serious competition of any sort; sometimes the group does not judge a small grin to be a full-blown smile and sees a person who could be called in as having passed the test. They may seem to think that some laughter is needed when a smile is all that the It person is seeking. The interaction this promotes makes it ideal for both social recreation and informal dramatic settings. I was pleased to see the participants making a true effort to act out the feelings and try to make one another smile. To ensure success it is important to consider, if possible, what the audience is likely to be willing to do. I ruled out a couple of other ideas based upon that criterion. When we finally wrapped up, I had felt that the session had gone quite well and that everyone had enjoyed it. The same activity would probably flow more smoothly if played a second time, as the group would already be familiar with the rules and the phrases, and need only some refreshing of important points. Overall, I think that my level of enthusiasm was adequate to motivate the group to want to play, and to have a good time doing so. I tried to maintain an air to suggest that this was entertaining and creative a game as it had been for my class when I first played it in high school. I had come with a clear outline of the steps needed for a successful round, and by following those, I sensed that my organization for the activity was also satisfactory.

I believe that my directions were issued in a manner clear and loud enough to be heard and understood by all. Once or twice I had to clarify the object of the game (to get a smile out of someone so that s/he became It instead), and repeated the two lines for memorization several times so that people could grasp them. We had to be somewhat forgiving when everyone wasnt able to recite both perfectly each time, but if they were too off, they were definitely corrected (or given help if they required it.) If I had to do it all over again, I would probably write the two lines on the board as well. I maintained discipline well enough that no one ever got out of hand or attempted to end the game early, hijack it, etc. Everyone paid attention and followed my instructions throughout the activityif there was a brief moment when someone had to be reminded to pay better attention to what was supposed to be going on, it was always quickly resolved. At the same time, I tried to make it enjoyable and fun. I know that I was laughing at and praising the humorous acting that was being done. I guided the group through the setup and rules, and then through the steps of the game, offering help or advice whenever someone asked a question or seemed confused. I tried to let them know their objective, and encourage them to be as outrageous or as subtle as they liked in attempting to achieve it. I wanted to keep the mood lighthearted and nonserious so that those who found themselves frequent victims or spending a long time inside the circle because they werent as good at it would have a great time, rather than feeling badly. I also hinted a bit at the idea of finding ways to control ones reactions, which some people were apparently able to do rather well. I never had to really change or modify anything in regard to the activity, which was pretty well established and would work for nearly any group willing to form a circle and get a bit crazy. The two small things I hadnt foreseen were the running out of emotions, and the matter of having to randomly select the first It. After having played for a good amount of time and exhausting quite a list of emotions, I hadnt wanted to start coming up with others, so I allowed the game to be extended a few more turns by going back and repeating ones that had just been done. In the future, I would also make a point of listing the words more neatly on the board, as my speed-writing became difficult to decipher. I should have considered how I was going to randomly choose the first player instead of assuming that I would just close my eyes and point

to one. I did in fact do that, after having spun around, because it seemed the most straightforward method, and as random as it was going to get; I honestly was paying no attention to whom was standing where. I might have chosen to use some sort of better name- or card- or straw-drawing method, but with so many students and in the hopes that most of them would get a chance to be It, I had not thought much about the selection of the first one. I should have, because from the perspective of the chosen person, it can be intimidating to go first, especially in a drama-inspired activity such as this. Very few real problems occurred; there were no big disputes or debates. Again, some people needed reminding of the lines that they had to speak, and to practice them several times. Every small issue met with was certainly handled with patience and determination to continue playing in a fair way, and to ensure that everybody had a good time. The group got along impressively well, with no argumentswhich was fitting, because this free-play game was more an exercise in creativity and expression than a competition. There were no ultimate scores, teams, winners, or losers. If I were to redo this activity now, I would improve the experience by making all of the mentioned alterations. I would also likely try to explain the rules even more deliberately, and be a bit more strict in enforcing themwithout detracting from the playful spirit of the group, of course.