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Do you ever find yourself looking for a team-builder for adults that’s not corny or lame?
Even though I laugh at just about anything remotely funny and pretty much live a life of corniness, I still try to find teambuilders that truly help us (primarily adults) learn more about each other in a meaningful “REAL” way. However, I believe this one will benefit students of all ages. I’d love to hear the answers of the littles.
I tried Life Highlights with a group of twenty classroom teachers last week, my Math District Committee, and the results were heartwarming, to say the least.
I did “Pirate it Up” a bit by adding glow sticks and hosting the activity in our Board of Education room with the lights off, but other than that, I got the idea from the website linked below.
1. Form a circle in a dark room. *We formed two circles with ten educators each.
2. Place a clear cup of “glowing” glowsticks in the middle of each circle. (One glow stick per participant.)
3. Ask the participants to “close their eyes for one minute and consider the best moments of their lives. This can include moments they’ve had alone, they’ve shared with family or friends; these moments can pertain to professional successes, personal revelations, or exciting life adventures. After the participants have had a moment to run through highlights of their lives, inform them that their search for highlights is about to be narrowed.”
4. Then, “keeping their eyes closed, ask each participant to take a moment to decide what 30 seconds of their life they would want to relive if they only had thirty seconds left in their life. The first part of the activity enables participants to reflect back on their lives, while the second part enables them to get to know their coworkers on a more intimate level.
5. Last, have each participant, when they are ready, step in the middle of the circle and grab a glow stick. Then, step back into their place and share their 30-second life highlight with the group and why they chose it.
As each of my DCC members grabbed a glow stick and shared their life-highlights, we all listened–captivated. There were educators who have lost a parent and shared how they would love to spend one more moment with them camping in the woods. We had others share about professional moments that they would excitedly relive again.
The Life Highlights caused us to hug each other, tear up a little, and giggle a lot. The REALness of this activity was beautiful–not something you see every day in our “professional” world. Each participant was able “to get a feel for each other’s passions, loves, and personalities.” In fact, I loved every minute of the activity! Heartwarming is an understatement.
Logistically, splitting us up into two circles was great for the sense of time; the whole activity took ten to fifteen minutes tops.
What are your thoughts about Life Highlights? How might you use this activity, or a variation of it, with those you serve?
*Quotes are attributed to this Huddle article written by @Tim_DelucaSmith. Check out all 10 Team Builders.
I am an educator who values the individuality and uniqueness of others. Writing the blog R.E.A.L. is an outlet for me to pay it forward by sharing ideas, influences, lessons learned and exposing a little vulnerability while encouraging others to maximize their R.E.A.L. potential, as well.