Description
Students play an interactive line game where they must accept responsibility for the choices they make throughout the game.
Supplies
- No supplies needed
How to Play
- Have the group stand in a line (one behind the other).
- Stand at the front of the line, facing the students.
- Show students that left of the line is the “river,” and right of the line is the “bank.”
- Explain that when you say “on the river” all students should hop to the left on the river side. And when you say “on the bank” all students should hop to the right on the bank side.
- Tell them that if they hop to the wrong side, or don’t hop, that they have to be honest and move to the back of the line.
- The goal is to make it to the front of the line.
- Start calling out the commands slowly at first. Speed up as you see that students are grasping the activity.
- Additionally, you can add in “on the bridge.” When this is called, students must have one foot on the river and one foot on the bank making a bridge with their legs.
- This continues until time is up.
Activity Prompts for Reflection
- How difficult was it to be honest and move to the back when you messed up?
- What was something positive you were responsible for during this game?
- Did anyone make a mistake or bad choice during this game?
- What are some ways you could improve for the next time we play?
Other Ways to Play
- Allow a student who has made it to the front of the line to help you be the caller for the rest of the group.
- Have two lines competing at once and have students move to the other line each time they mess up.
- If time permits, start over and have students find a new spot in line for the second round.
Additional Notes
- Use the SEL Activity Prompts to tie other SEL competencies to this activity.
- Make sure to praise students who are being honest and taking accountability by moving to the back of the line when they mess up throughout the game. This reinforces the importance of accepting responsibility for their choices.
- This is a line game that can be played while moving from one location to another if the hallway is wide enough to play in a safe way.
