Module 2
Belonging: Family/Team Building
Handouts



BROKEN SQUARES: GROUP INSTRUCTION SHEET

Each of you has an envelope that contains pieces of cardboard for forming squares. When the facilitator gives the signal to begin, the task of your group is to form 5 squares of equal size. The task will not be completed until each individual has before him/her a perfect square of the same size as those in front of the other group members.

Specific limitations are imposed on your group during this exercise.
  1. No member may speak.
  2. No member may ask another member for a piece or in any other way signal that another person is to give him a piece.
  3. You may not put pieces in the center for anyone to take.
  4. You may voluntarily give pieces directly to other members.
(See T-2.5)

BROKEN SQUARES: OBSERVER/JUDGE INSTRUCTION SHEET

Your job is part judge and part observer.

As a judge, you should make sure each participant observes the following rules:
  1. There is to be no talking, pointing, or any other kind of communicating.
  2. Participants may give pieces directly to other participants, but may not take pieces from other members.
  3. Participants may not place their pieces into the center for others to take.
  4. It is permissible for a member to give away all the pieces to his/her puzzle, even if he/she has already formed a square.


As an observer, look for the following:
  1. Who is willing to give away pieces of the puzzle?
  2. Does anyone finish "his" or "her" puzzle and then withdraw from the group problem solving?
  3. Is there anyone who continually struggles with his/her pieces, yet is unwilling to give any of them away?
  4. How many people are actively engaged in putting the pieces together?
  5. What is the level of frustration and anxiety?
  6. Is there any turning point at which the group begins to cooperate?
  7. Does anyone try to violate the rules by talking or pointing as a means of helping fellow members solve the problem?

GROUP PROBLEM-SOLVING GUIDELINES

1. Each individual needs to understand the total problem.

2. Each individual needs to understand how he/she can contribute toward solving the problem.

3. Each individual needs to be aware of the potential contributions of other individuals.

4. One must recognize the problems of other individuals in order to aid them in making their maximum contribution.

5. Groups that pay attention to their own problem-solving processes are likely to be more effective than groups that do not.

TEAM-BUILDING RESOURCES

1. Magazines

Various organizational development and training magazines.

2. Books

. (1974). A handbook of structured experiences for human relations training, vol. 1, ed. J. William Pfeiffer and John E. Jones. La Jolla, CA: University Associates.

. (1991). The encyclopedia of team development activities and The encyclopedia of team-building activities, ed. J. William Pfeiffer. San Diego, CA: University Associates.

3. Expert Consultants

Alternatives for facilitating these team-building activities include individuals with particular expertise, e.g., someone from the partnership, someone from the community with group facilitation skills, a professional group facilitator, or an organization development specialist.

4. Other

NOTES ON TEAM BUILDING WITH MY PARTNERSHIP

Ideas I can pass on to my team/partnership:

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Exercise Instructions

  1. Form 5 squares of equal size.
  2. Do not talk.
  3. Do not ask another member for a piece of the square.
  4. Do not in any way signal that another person should give you a piece of the square.
  5. You may voluntarily give pieces directly to other members.
  6. You may not put pieces in the center for anyone to take.

Continue to next handout.