All the kids are making great progress with giving respectful attention, speaking to the whole group, and sharing limited resources.  We continue working with the theme of lead/follow, and this time we added in communication skills.  We sent one another messages in Morse code.  The purpose of this game is to illustrate that communication is a system between two people and that when communication fails, both the sender and the receiver need to adjust behavior. 

After a lot of "she wasn't listening," and "but I did it right," and "he didn't tell me that," they all figured it out. Without exception.  This was a challenging game and I am proud of them that they mastered it so quickly.  I had planned two weeks for this game, and they got it in one! The kids have also expressed an interest in having show and tell.  Any child who wishes to bring in an item is welcome, and not required, to do so.

For more fun with Morse code, listen to your name (or any other message you can think of) at this online Morse code translator.

Game of the week: Morse code buddies
You'll need a Morse code key, paper, pencils, two kids, and one adult for this game.  We played this game two ways.  The basic version is to pair off.  Each member of the pair writes a single word, in letters, on a piece of paper.  Then each member uses the key to translate their own word into Morse code. One this is complete, fold the paper and put it away.  Next, spend as much time as necessary to decide how the team will produce the Morse code.  Some examples are hand signals, blinking, waving arms, flicking a light switch or flashlight, or saying "dot" and "dash."   They'll need to decide how to express dots, dashes, spaces between letters, and spaces between words.  Let the children work this part themselves with as little intervention as possible.  Lastly, take turns sending and receiving both messages, making every effort to stay completely silent when doing so.  The game is over when both messages have been successfully sent.  When you master the one-word send, try doing two or three.

The advanced version requires at least three kids and one adult, plus the key and paper and such.  One member of the group is the sender.  All the rest are the receivers.  The group decides how to produce the code.  Everyone translates one word, just as above, but then instead of sending it to a partner, each member takes a turn sending it to the group.  The turn is over when every receiver gets the same message, and the game is over when every member has been a successful sender.

Riddle of the Week
What has four fingers and one thumb, but is not alive?
A glove.
Highlight the above line to reveal the answer!