Session 4: Cooperation

The goals of the third session are to familiarize students with the merits of working in groups and sensitize them to some of their own behaviors which contribute toward or obstruct the solving of a group problem.

I. OPENING ACTIVITY: HUMAN PRETZEL

This hands-on game provides another opportunity for students to experiment with different cooperative methods. The students stand in a closely packed circle and grasp hands, and then attempt to untangle by passing over, under and through the confines of the human knot they have created. The game is designed to be played without talking so that students can explore other avenues of cooperative behavior.

II. BROKEN SQUARES ACTIVITY

The students are divided into groups and each group is given a set of pieces to a square puzzle. The students must cooperate with themselves and other groups to complete their puzzle. The students are not allowed to talk during the game. This game is designed to give students a practical experience with which to study their own behaviors and assess their effectiveness in a group effort.

III. LINKS

Students playing this game learn to work together by sitting with their backs to each other, locking arms, and attempting to stand. This game is also played without speaking, and since the players cannot really see each other, they must be especially sensitive to each other's movements and positions.

Students then discuss how working together (cooperation) made their job easier, while working individually(competition) made the job easier.

IV. CONFLICT: REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS

The whole class brainstorms social problems (i.e. problems in their community, international conflicts, domestic violence, etc.) and how cooperation could be used to solve them. The students then take one of these problems and possible solutions with the aim of developing their own peace game centered on solving the problem.

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