F.I.R.S.T. Games

Class Description:

As members of a team, students learn about the life skills of trust, communicaton, cooperation and logical thinking while playing games, solving problems, and working through challenges. The team will be collectively analyzing how effective they were before, during, and after the games. This processing of experiences will focus the students on discussing how to use these skills to solve problems and challenges they encounter at home, at school, and in the community.

Total Time: 3 hours (2.5 hrs outdoors)
Audience: 6-20 students, 4th grade through adult
Activity Level: Moderate
Site: Volleyball Court

Outcomes

Upon completion of the FIRST Games class, students will be able to:

Use logical thinking, trust, communication and cooperation with others to solve problems.

Understand that practicing life skills can empower us to reach our goals.

Realize the need to have effective citizens who can work together for a quality environment.

Practice self evaluation of their performances.

Minnesota Graduation Standards

The FIRST Games class will provide students with guided practice, in an authentic setting, to support the following Graduations Standards. We have chosen one to three “major focus” standards per grade level. Due to the holistic nature of environmental education, several other standards, not listed here, are addressed as well.

Task Management Skills addressed:
• Keeps trying
• Generates goals and plans for achieving
• Follows class rules
• Follows safety rules
• Uses equipment responsibly
• Demonstrates respect for others

Profile of Learning Element 8: Applying informed decision-making process to promote personal growth and the well-being of society.

Physical Education Standard 8.11.1 Applies informed decision-making process to select appropriate physical activities to achieve personal fitness. (Procedural): Applies the following cooperative and competitive behaviors in physical activities: demonstrates safety for self and others, encourages best effort in self and others, implements team-building skills and strategies, follows rules, shows respect for self and others, and handles success and disappointment appropriately.

Physical Education Standard 8.G8.3 Understands and participates in physical activities that develop motor skills and physical fitness. (Procedural): Displays proper etiquette and team building skills in dual and group activities.

Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts

• Working cooperatively to accomplish goals promotes mutual support and benefit.
• Developing group interaction skills will improve our responses to future life situations.
• Understanding and respecting others enables us to work together effectively as a community
• Harmony comes from recognizing that similarities are greater than differences.
• Quality individuals make a quality group.
• Courage, trustworthiness and initiative are desirable personal qualities.
• Joy and fun are a vital component of a healthy happy life.
• How we play today is how we live tomorrow.

Classroom Connections*

• Journal page download
• Pre-visit activities
• Post-visit activities
• Links to group games information and activities on the web

*requires Wolf Ridge password