TL;DR:
- Incorporate team building into your classroom through the game of cup stacking.
- You can vary the level of difficulty by giving different challenges like having students use their non-dominant hand, stand on one leg, incorporate exercise if a cup is dropped, or use only non-verbal communication.
In this time of need for mental health education, I had an urge to look for ways that teachers play. Play is a wonderful thing for all ages, but we do not all play the same games or play for the same reasons. In the next couple of months, I will be blogging about games that were new to me. I got to interview some really awesome people. I know you are going to want to connect with them to learn more about their work in education and beyond.
This interview is with Livia Chan about a team building activity. Liv is a Head Teacher in Grade 5 and a fellow ambassador for the Teach Better Team. Liv is sweet, kind, and driven!
What is the name of the game or activity you enjoy playing?
Cup Stack Challenge.
Where did this game originate?
Not sure!
What makes this activity unique?
It takes teamwork and just the right amount of tug and pull to stack the cups to make it work and find success! And there are so many variations!
How do you play this game or complete the activity?
- Stack plastic cups without using your hands to the touch cups (see here)!
- See this video example.
- Depending on age, use only one hand and hold the string at the end. (It is more challenging to hold the string at the end, so adapt depending on the age group you’re working with.)
Variations
- You can play numerous rounds with increasing difficulty!
- Give different challenges; see here for an example.
- Use only their non-dominant hand to hold the string.
- Stand on one leg only. They are allowed to switch the leg they stand on.
- Each time they drop a cup, everyone in the group has to do a set number of jumping jacks (or pick your exercise)!
- Use non-verbal communication only! If they talk, they have to start again. Laughter encouraged!
Have fun creating your own variations! Or better yet, ask your students for their ideas!
Are rules and guidelines important in this game?
Yes, setting guidelines helps so kids know what they can/can’t do.
Do you take score?
No, but I suppose you can!
How does this game make you feel?
Fantastic! Absolutely love the smiles, laughter, and loud cheers when teams find success! It’s so much fun to watch them have so much fun!
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What should people know about this game or activity?
This is a great team building activity! This is also a game you can play physically distanced!
Always build in reflection time to discuss positives, challenges, thoughts, and feelings, what they learned about themselves, other people, etc.
What ways do you play? Let me know! Connect on Twitter @playyay using the hashtags #playbetter #teachbetter.
About BreAnn Fennell
Mrs. BreAnn Fennell is a first-grade and second-grade looping teacher in Ashland, Ohio. She has worked in both public and private settings and is passionate about providing exciting learning environments for students. Mrs. Fennell is a published author of children’s books including Play? Yay! and Choose Your Cheer. She is a mom to two energetic boys and a defender of play! 
