TITLE:     Group Rope Squares

AUTHOR:    Darcy Morger-Grovenstein; Sitka, AK

GRADE LEVEL: This works fine with grades 5 through ADULT.

SUBJECT AREAS: Experimental Education in Drug Prevention programs,
group work, communication skills.  This is an excellent activity
for the later stages of OMBUDSMAN/PHASE II: Group Skills and
Communication.

OVERVIEW:  Use this activity after the students have been involved
with lots of group work and communication skills. Be careful of
students who may sabotage their team's efforts. Team dynamics are
something to consider when assigning teams.

PURPOSE: This lesson will further reinforce group cohesion and
communication skills as well as problem solving and cooperation. 
In teaching a drug prevention program, it is important to introduce
activities like this that illustrate to students that TOGETHER they
can help solve each other's problems, depend on one another, and
communicate their needs to others.

OBJECTIVES:
            1. Students will be better able to solve problems in
a group team experience.
            2. Group Cohesion will be strengthened  through team
building and communication.
            3. Individual communication skills will be reinforced.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS: A large play area  or one half of a gym is an
adequate space for this exercise.  A rope approximately 40 feet
long  works well but the length could vary depending on age or
experience of the group. Blindfolds will be needed for each team
member (at least four). A timer or clock is optional.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES: Divide the class into teams of four
each. Blindfold  each student that is going to do the exercise
(after preparing them with pre-processing). Let one team go at a
time so students in the class can observe  the team problem
solving. Coil a rope up in a large play are. Prepare the students
by reviewing other group activities and skills already covered. 
Tell the students they are going to make a square with the rope and
each team member must end up holding one corner of the square. 
They will need to discuss strategy and plan how they are going to
proceed.  They will need to be reminded to keep talking to one
another and support one another in this exercise until they are
ready to say they are done.  Students may remove the blindfolds
when the facilitator says they may do so. The facilitator may also
set a time limit or time the team to raise the level of urgency in
getting their task completed.  Be sure to process what happened
after the teams have completed their exercises.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: In processing the activity it is important
to stress the positive things that happened during this exercise. 
Also concerns or feelings that were generated during the ropes game
should be adequately discussed.  Remind them that we can depend on
one another to help solve our problems instead of turning to drugs
and alcohol.