Holey Tarp

• A king-sized sheet or a tarp at least 10x10; the larger the surface area, the more difficult the activity becomes. 

• A ball similar in size and weight to a volleyball

• In advance of the activity, complete the following:

  1. Lay the sheet or tarp out flat on the floor

  2. Pre-cut 10 holes- each large enough for the ball to fall through- in the sheet or tarp (This Teacher Resource shows where holes can be placed)

  3. Number each hole using a permanent marker

Holey Tarp requires students to utilize the conflict-management skills developed in Stage 2 to adhere to a shared vision about how to complete the challenge. 

1. Have each student in the class hold a side or corner of the sheet or tarp, pulling it taut.

2. Designate a start and end point on two different edges of the sheet or tarp.

3. Students must then work together to navigate the ball around the holes in sequential order, with the tarp staying between waist- and chest-level on each student at all times, never touching the floor.

4. If the ball falls off the tarp or through any hole, the students must start over. At this point, pause the activity and encourage students to submit novel ideas and solutions on how to accomplish the task. Once a new idea is proposed, test it.

5. Close the activity with a verbal or written debrief using a few of the questions from the Stage 3 Debrief Prompts.

To increase rigor: 

• Use a smaller ball, such as a tennis ball or golf ball.

• Make the holes larger, thus increasing the difficulty of navigation.

• Forbid verbal communication throughout the entire activity and/or blindfold one or multiple members of the group.

• Provide a directional requirement—either clockwise or counterclockwise—for the ball’s path of travel around each hole.

To increase scaffolding: 

• Divide students into teams and see who can complete the task in the quickest time.

• One student can be strategically positioned under the tarp. If the ball falls through a hole and this student catches it before it hits the floor, the ball can be placed back on the tarp with no penalty. The ball must be placed so that the entire sequence can be completed.