Activities & Games

Huddle Up
Kindergarten-5th Grade
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Allotted Time

15 minutes
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Target Behavior

Show ability to decide between right and wrong

Words to Live By

Life's full of surprises that make me feel different ways. If I can control myself, I'll have much better days.
Responsible Decision-Making
Make choices that are best for you

Children who make choices that are best for them can:

DEMONSTRATE wise decisions regarding safety hazards

BRAINSTORM alternative solutions to interpersonal problems in the classroom

ANALYZE the consequences of alternative choices

GENERATE alternative solutions to problems

Description

Help your group learn the difference between a right and wrong choice through an interactive game.

Supplies

  • No supplies needed

How to Play

  1. Divide the group into smaller teams. There should be at least four people on each team.
  2. Have each team stand and get in a huddle with their arms around each other’s shoulders.
  3. Explain that a situation will be read aloud and as a team, they have 10 seconds to decide if this situation is a YES Mess or not.
  4. After the 10 seconds are up, each team either gives a thumbs up, showing they think it is, or a thumbs down, showing they do not think it is a YES Mess.
  5. Once all groups show their answers, you will instruct them on a specific movement for the huddle.
  6. Explain that teams who give correct answers will get an easier way to move, while teams who give incorrect answers are given a harder way to move.
  7. Read aloud a situation from the list on the next page, give teams 10 seconds to decide, and reveal the correct answer. Then instruct them on the assigned movements.
  8. Example Situations and Huddle Movements:
    • Staying up late
      • correct answer: take 3 steps back
      • incorrect answer: hop with one leg three times backward
    • Telling a lie
      • correct answer: take 3 steps to the right
      • incorrect answer: slowly make 2 full spins
    • Sharing an idea
      • correct answer: take 4 steps to the left
      • incorrect answer: take 2 hops forward with both legs
    • Teasing someone
      • correct answer: take 4 steps forward
      • incorrect answer: move to the right in slow motion
    • Raising your hand
      • correct answer: take one giant step forward
      • incorrect answer: move to the left in slow motion

Activity Prompts for Reflection

  • Share a YES Mess you experienced during this activity.
  • Name some other choices you and your team could have made during this activity.
  • Can anyone explain why some of these situations were YES Messes?
  • Can anyone share an example of how they avoided a YES Mess recently?

Other Ways to Play

  • Have students link elbows and move in a group with linked elbows.
  • Pair students together and tie one of each of their legs together. They will compete in this challenge like a 3 legged race.
  • Add situations that you’ve seen your students in before to help them apply YES MESS to their own lives.

Additional Notes

 

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