Fun with Character: Outburst
This activity is based on the board game, Outburst, where a team is given a topic (such as foods that are brown, 4 legged animals, breakfast cereals, TV shows, etc) and in 60 seconds they all shout out as many examples as they can in an attempt to match a predetermined list. To use it in a classroom setting, start out by announcing a category and having each student write down their responses individually. Rather than match a list you could count the number each has. (Graphing or averaging the counts would add a math connection.) You may want to do this for several categories. Next, put the students in small groups who will work together on a common list. You can repeat the categories or choose new ones. Now that they have the idea you can actually play a few rounds of the game to add more energy to the lesson. For a list of topics, you can use cards from the actual board game, find lists using your favorite internet search engine or make up ones appropriate to the age of your students or lists from current and past lessons.
To process this activity, ask these or similar questions:
Did you enjoy playing this game?
Did you get more answers working alone or together?
Did answers that others said spark ideas for other answers for you?
Do you think you will remember this game when it comes to valuing our differences?