On Thursday, January 17, the students were given the assignment: Write a three-paragraph, typed essay covering the following subjects: 1) Self-Introduction: your family, likes/ dislikes, hobbies/ interests, favorite subject, etc.; and, 2) One thing you enjoy about going to church. The assignment is due on Wednesday, January 23.
On our second day of class, the students played a series of organizational and group activities. The groups were given specific tasks (such as forming a line based on their father’s first name, or according to birth dates, etc.), and then challenges within the task (such as only certain members of the group being able to speak, or only muted leaders knowing the assigned task, etc.). The activities again allowed for observation of leadership abilities and of group dynamics. The parish youth minister assisted in the facilitation of the activities. Afterwards she spoke to the students about the coming March for Life in Washington, DC. The parish and school have been asked to pray with the students as they prepare to head to our nation’s capital.
On our first day, the class played the game “Island.” Twice the students were placed in groups on a tarp (the “island”), and depending on the various instructions, they had to work together and achieve particular tasks. The game allowed for some observation of leadership and group dynamics. After the game, the students themselves identified “teamwork,” “leadership,” and “sacrifice” as some of the lessons that could be learned from the activity.
