The Dot Game



The Dot Game: Procedures

1. Before class, prepare materials.

• Cut small slips of paper for each student. Make a small red dot on eight of the slips (or about a quarter of the class). Leave the other slips blank.

• Fold all the slips so the dots are not visible.

• Have a small stack of pink sticky notes within easy reach for the game. (Note: the colors pink and red are used to symbolize the fact that communist sympathizers during the Cold War were called Pinkos, while Communists were called Reds).

2. Tell students that they will play a little game.

• Go over the Dot Game directions on Student Handout 1 with the class. You may mention that there are more non-dots than dots, but do not reveal the numbers.

• Demonstrate for students how they will play the game (sample questions, interrogating their classmates, etc.)

• Consider heightening interest in the game by offering points or other prizes.

3. Have students play the game, following these guidelines:

• Give each student one slip of paper.

• Allow students approximately five minutes to move around the room, question one another, and form groups.

• Allow students to struggle with the process while also periodically reminding them of how much time is left to form groups.

• Remind students to report any suspected dots to you. Tag students accused of being dots by placing a sticky note on their shoulder.

• If students are slow to initiate accusations, sow seeds of distrust by whispering to some students, “I think (another student’s name) is a dot.”

• Expect some students to feel anxious or uncomfortable about the accusations and scapegoating that occur as students form groups.

4. Determine the winners.

• When time is up, have students stop questioning each other. Starting with the smallest group, have students unfold their slips of paper to reveal who is a dot. Declare the winners as: The members of the largest group that does not have a dot member and any dots who are the only dot members of their groups (of at least three people).

5. Debrief the experience. Have students return to their seats before the debrief.

• What methods did you use to determine who was a dot?

• For those accused of being a dot, how did it feel?

• Given that there was no way to know for sure who was a dot, why did you try so hard to convince others that certain class member were dots?

• What emotions fueled this activity?

• Can you think of any time in history when something like this occurred?

• What causes people to fear others?

|( |( |( |( |( |( |( |( |

|( |( |( |( |( |( |( |( |

|( |( |( |( |( |( |( |( |

|( |( |( |( |( |( |( |( |

|( |( |( |( |( |( |( |( |

|( |( |( |( |( |( |( |( |

|( |( |( |( |( |( |( |( |

| | | | | | | | |

|( |( |( |( |( |( |( |( |

Dot Game Directions

Object of the Game

To begin the game, you will receive a slip of paper. Secretly check to see whether the paper is blank or has a red dot. Then hide it in your pocket and do not show it to anyone during the game.

Non-dots win the game by forming the largest group of students who are all non-dots. Dots win the game by being the only dot in a group.

Procedure

Once the game starts, you will have approximately seven minutes to form groups.

• You can ask others whether they are dots or non-dots, but players may not reveal their slips of paper during the game.

• You do not have to join a group, but you cannot win the game unless you are in a group of at least two people.

• You can be a part of a group only if that group agrees that you are a member.

• If you suspect that someone is a dot, report your suspicion to the teacher. He or she will deal with the accusation appropriately.

Tips on Strategy

• During the game, you will have to ask classmates whether they are dots. Because everyone will deny being a dot, look for classmates who act suspiciously.

• If you are a dot, try to draw suspicion away from yourself and onto others.

[pic]

[pic]

[pic][pic]

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download