Games
Patience Game 1: The Chocolate Game https://sites.google.com/site/valueslessons
Equipment: Knife and fork, dice (or 2 with a large group), hat, scarf and gloves, large plate with a block or part of a block of chocolate depending on the group size. (You may choose to save two rows of chocolate to give out at the end to the children who didn't receive any during the game.)
The students sit on the floor in a large circle. In the centre is a hat, a scarf, gloves and a large flat plate with a block of chocolate, knife and fork.
They take turns around the circle to throw the dice. If they throw a six, the whole group shouts, 'Six!' and they go into the centre of the circle.
*They dress in the hat, scarf and gloves, pick up the knife and fork and begin to eat the chocolate, one small piece at at time only, with the knife and fork. (Use a clean fork for each)
Meanwhile the dice continues around the circle as each student tries to throw a six.
As soon as the group shouts 'Six!' again, the child in the centre must stop immediately, take the hat, scarf and gloves off quickly, and sit back in their place, regardless of whether or not they ate any chocolate. The next child waits patiently while the previous child removes the clothing. They then begin dressing. (Go from * above.)
Play until the chocolate is all eaten. Then, if you kept 2 rows aside, share a piece each with the students who missed out.
Discussion Questions
1. Who felt impatient when they couldn't throw a 6?
2. Who felt impatient when they threw a 6 but still didn't get chocolate? Which is the worst, not throwing a 6 or throwing one but not getting chocolate? Why?
3. What decided who got the most chocolate; speed, skill or luck? (Luck, and a little speed) Why do you think so?
4. What would be the best attitude to have to get the most enjoyment from this game? (Not expecting to win, just playing for fun.) Would that attitude help you enjoy other games of luck too?
Image source: http://www.fun-stuff-to-do.com/images/the-chocolate-game-21720530.jpg
Patience Game 2: Card Castles (in pairs) https://sites.google.com/site/valueslessons
Equipment: 1 pack of playing cards for 14 students, 2 packs for 30 students.
Print out or download the image for the students to copy from: http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/house-cards-20203736.jpg
Give each pair of students 7 cards and ask them to make the card castle.
Tell them that there is a small prize for the first 3 pairs to do it.
Stop when there are 3 teams finished, or your time runs out. Distribute the prizes.
Discussion Questions
1. Is this a good game to practice our patience? Why?
2. Did anyone lose patience with their partner for knocking their cards down? Did they mean to?
3. Did anyone's partner lose patience with you for knocking the cards down? Could you help it?
4. Did them getting impatient and annoyed with you make it easier or harder to make the castle? Why?
5. Who had a partner that was patient with you when you knocked the cards down?
Note if any of the 6 winners have their hands up and ask them, 'Do you think it helped you to win? Why?'
6. Finish by saying, 'Teams always get better results when the team members are patient and tolerant of each others mistakes. Why do you think this is? (People perform better when not under stress) So next time you get annoyed when someone makes a mistake, (Point to the words on the logo) Practise Patience!'
Optional Activity for Older Students: Watch the TED talk on how co-operation and acceptance produces better results: https://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_why_it_s_time_to_forget_the_pecking_order_at_work