In Lesson (5), 1F pupils revised the knot-tying techniques learnt in earlier lessons. Then they have to form shapes using their ropes. Later, they also had to tie their ropes together using one of the techniques learnt. I am so proud to see that the children had mastered the useful skills.
After all the ropes were tied together, the children had to use the ropes to form a shape shown by the trainer. It was a delight to see them work together and encouraging one another in order to form the shape. I am proud of their brilliant collaboration. In the next game, the children had to pass through a rope using any parts of their body and the help of their peers without letting go of one another's hands. Everyone laughed when they got tangled and tried to get through the rope. Working together was so much fun.
It was a captivating sight to see the children so engaged in the team-building game. It looked almost like they were dancing gracefullywith one another. This is a fun way to build trust and support among 1F children. I am glad to see their friendship blossom.
Lesson (6) was conducted at the Parade Square. 1F pupils were divided into 2 groups for a race. Each runner had to run to the other end and select a ping pong ball from a box. The first group to pick ping pong balls with the letters 'T.E.A.M.' would be the winner. Running was an easy task for the children. I could see many potential runners from 1F.
The children had a great time passing the ping pong ball to one another. They learnt to work with each other to balance the spoon so that they could pass the ball to another friend.
The lesson ended with 1F's favourite 'Guess Who I Am' game.
In Lesson (7), 1F pupils had a challenging task. They had to instruct their blindfolded peer to build a lego model similar to the one shown. The game started off with almost everyone trying to speak at the top of their voice to get the blindfolded peer to do as they say. Obviously, nobody could hear anybody when everybody was speaking simultaneously. There were many frustrating moments. Many of the instructions sounded like 'pick up the red one, the red one, no, not that one...', 'Put it on top, on top, no, not on top, move, move...', etc.
The blindfolded child yelled that she could not understand the instructions at all. I could hardly suppress my giggles. One of the trainers commented that the activity was a failure. I begged to differ. I think this was one of the most powerful and successful lessons the children had. Many of their routine ways of solving problems were challenged. Their listening abilities were challenged. The way they assumed that their instructions were clear to others were challenged too. I hope that they have learnt something about themselves from this activity.
In the 2nd team-building game, the trainers explained that the green poncho represented an island and the floor represented the sea. Pupils had to gather everyone on the 'island'. This was pretty easy at first until the poncho was folded bit by bit. As the 'island' shrunk, the children now had to think of a way to keep everyone on it. It was an amusing sight as they struggled to keep themselves and their peers out of the 'sea'. I am proud of the children as I listened to them discuss and make decision on how to solve the challenge given. I am sure many of them would have realised that working together and listening to one another was the best way to keep many of them, if not all, on the 'island'.
I really love the class photos below, especially the informal ones. I could sense the happiness in many of our children and that they have build a strong bondwith one another.
Lesson (8) is the final lesson for our Outdoor Education programme. 1F children were thrilled when they were told about the sandwich-making activity. For most of them, this was the first time they prepared their own sandwiches. They had lots of fun putting the lettuce, tomato slices, egg and cheese on their bread. Some even offered their friends a helping hand. I am amazed by the confidence displayed by the children and how they made decision on their own about the ingredients they would like to include in their sandwiches. I am sure the most enjoyable part of the activity was eating the yummy sandwiches.
