Often, our perceptions about a problem affect our ability to solve it. In Hands Are Tied, participants work to disconnect from each other in what appears to be an impossible task. Group members twist and turn themselves to frustration, and find that a little creative thinking will do the trick.

Hands are Tied naturally highlights such topics as how our beliefs influence our actions (i.e. thinking we CAN'T do something usually leads to that conclusion), having patience and working together. If you really want to get your group to start thinking in the positive and challenge their beliefs around what they can and can't do, this is a great eye opening experience.

In the following module you will learn how to properly set-up and facilitate the activity and then if you wish, move students through an academic and/or social skills development reflection experience.

*This activity has been adapted from the Team Building & Group Development CD-ROM of The Inspire! Youth Series from LearningChange, LLC.

Ages
Hands are Tied is most appropriate for students in the 5th grade and up.

Group Size
The beauty of this activity is that it can be done with any number of students.

Setting
This activity is appropriate in virtually any setting.

Duration
This activity should take about 30-45 minutes to complete with your group. Budget more time if you wish to go into depth by using any of the extension activities or questions.

General

In this activity, some of the things you will inevitably notice include:

• Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their actions and attitude during frustrating situations and make connections to everyday experiences.
  
• Students will have to work closely in both proximity and strategy with a partner.
  
• Students will be physically active, twisting and stretching their bodies while trying to complete the challenge.
  
• Students will gain an understand of and an appreciation for out-of-the-box thinking, and how thinking about a problem differently can help them find new solutions.
• Students will have an opportunity to practice communication and problem solving skills.
  

Academic Standards & Asset Development

For specific academic and social development lessons for this activity, see the Academic Extensions and Social Extensions sections in this module.

This course will walk you step-by-step through the process of setting up and leading this activity, as well as facilitating the conversations and lessons after the experience.

Begin here and move from section to section, and be sure to download and print the activity's PDF Quick Reference Guide and any handouts as you prepare for your event.

Budget about 10-15 minutes to walk through all sections and view all video and written instruction for this course.