CHAPTER 2
Workshop’s duration// 45-50 min.
Location// indoor, in the classroom
Equipment needed// 2 chairs
Learning objectives
To develop bonds of fair play leading to better effort and harmony.
To respect others even when they’re different from you or you don’t agree with them.
To enhance skills and to exchange views/experiences on acting for the common benefit
To enhance students’ sense of belonging, make new friends and reduce isolation by exploring the importance of helping each other.
Boost their sense of importance.
Core competencies: self improvement, cooperation, fairness, respect, body activation, readiness/availability
Key words: moral dilemmas, respect, empathy, care, collaboration, imagination, Olympic spirit, fairplay, critical thinking, non-judgment, sacrifice, solidarity, altruism, philanthropy, selflessness, support.
All the activities in this workshop are based on this true story
(don’t share it with the class as the story will be released gradually through the activities):
In 1964, Tokyo hosted the Olympic Games, the first to be held in Asia. In the sport of sailing, the two Swedish sailors were in the lead and on course for a gold medal. But the weather conditions worsened. Behind them, the Australian competitors’ boat started sinking.
Although they had no obligation to do so, the two Swedish brothers decided to go back and help their opponents, who were in danger.
As a result, they did not win the race but were admired for their gallantry.
Moreover, thanks to their action they won for the first time the Fair Play Trophy, which rewards athletes who show
true Olympic spirit.
Energizer (8 min)
The “woosh” circle
The students form a big seated circle.
Explain to them that together you will bring a TRUE story to life, consisting of 3 scenes.
For each scene, volunteers will represent with their bodies what they hear from you, like a pantomime.
But, after the word “woosh”, they must directly empty the circle and sit down in order to continue the story.
1st scene
You say the following:
“In 1964, Tokyo hosted the Olympic Games, the first to be held in Asia. It was the day of sailing! The sea was really calm and two Swedish sailors had the leas, they were close to the gold metal. They kept pulling the sail to go faster and faster.”
PAUSE
Call 9 volunteers to come to the circle’s center. 2 students will form the calm waves of the sea as the boat passes (plus sound), 4 students the boat, 1 student the sail and 2 students will be the Swedish athletes that pull the sail in the boat.
After the creation of the scene you say “woosh”. So, students directly empty the circle in order to continue the story.
2nd scene
You say the following:
“Suddenly the weather conditions changed. The wind increased, the sea became rough and large waves rose. The Australian boat following the Swedish boat began to sink. Τhey were under danger but no rescue boat was nearby.”
PAUSE
Call 9 new volunteers to come to the circle’s center. 2 students will form the wild waves of the sea(plus sound), 2 the strong wind blowing the waves(plus sound), 4 the boat that is sinking, 1 the sail that is sinking and 2 will be the Australian athletes in the sea asking for help.
After the creation of the scene you say “woosh”.
3rd scene
You claim that the final scene is missing! Students have to find out how the story ends… through a journey!
Tips:
– The story ending will be revealed at following activities.
– You can help the students in creating the different scenes by repeating the main elements and verbs for the action.
– The main goal is to get all your students involved. You can thus adjust the number of volunteers you invite each time to the total number of students.
– When the students have the information that the story is real they have a lot of questions. We suggest you share with them more details like the sailor’s names, Stig Lennart Käll & Lars Käll, or encourage them to search on their own, facts and photos.
Preparation activity (10 min.)
Time travel machine
A flashback will help you find out what happened to the sailing story. The whole team will travel back in time with a time machine, just like in the movies! But, first prepare the machine by following these steps:
- The students sit next to each other in a circle and stretch their legs.
- They spread their arms out to the side and put them on their “neighbor’s” back. Now the time machine has a strong and clear shape, so it’s ready to launch!
- For launching all the travelers count out loud from ten to one. Gradually they shake their bodies due to the vibrations of the launch, without getting up from their seats.
- Seconds later, the time machine lands. Travelers disembark carefully in the new place.
Explain that they landed in 1963, at the sailing training center where the athletes are training for the next Olympics, in Tokyo!
Student’s goal is to explore what the athletes think/feel during their preparation, by following their training. Thay have only 5 min.
So, they transform into athletes and you transform into their coach giving them the following instructions:
Instruction #1: Run on the spot, without changing position, as quickly as you can. It’s not important if your body is tired, you are going for the gold meal. Faster! (8 sec). Stop and stay still (3 sec). Now start again faster! Stop. Try 4 repetitions.
Instruction #2: Hands up trying to touch the sky as high as possible! Your muscles are in pain but it’s ok because Tokyo is waiting. Ηigher!!(8 sec). Then sit down and start rowing using your arms and core. On 1 your core/arms move to the front and on 2 move to the back! Remember your goal! Victory! Try 10 repetitions
Tips:
We suggest you join the time-travel machine to act as an example for your students and make it easier for them to follow.
To enhance the atmosphere in the time machine, you can give more details to your students. Like, have them stretch their arms to the sky and grab their imaginary helmets, put them on (like a pantomime game) and fasten their imaginary seat belts, around their waists.
As a coach, you can give instructions in a more pressing way. Remember, you are playing a role.
Main activity (25 min.)
A sea of dilemmas
The previous flashback helped the students to activate their empathy. Having a better understanding of the athletes’ sacrifices, it’s time to help the Swedish sailors make a decision about their dilemma.
Should they help their rivals who are in danger and therefore lose the gold medal or not?
1. Place 2 empty chairs in the middle of the classroom. Imagine that they represent the two Swedish sailors.
2. Divide the students into two equal groups
→ Group A has to find arguments to convince the sailors not to help and to continue for the gold medal.
→ Group B has to find arguments to convince the sailors to turn back, help their rivals and thus to sacrifice the gold medal.
3. Both groups have 5 min. to discuss and find arguments to support their position. The arguments should be as many as the members of the group, if possible.
4. Group A stands next to the left chair and Group B stands next to the right chair. Both look towards the chairs as if the athletes are sitting there. Each student gives an argument starting with the following phrase: “Listen to me, (argument).”
5. Each time an argument is heard from group A, group B responds with another.
6. After the final argument, reveal to them the true ending of the story:
7. “Although they had no obligation to do so, the two Swedish brothers decided to go back and help their opponents, who were in danger. As a result, they did not win the race but were admired for their gallantry. Moreover, thanks to their action they won for the first time the Fair Play Trophy, which rewards athletes who show true Olympic spirit.”
Reflection time (10 min.)
Create a circle with chairs and ask your students to take a seat. Τhe following questions stimulate discussion:
1) What do you think about the Swedish sailor’s decision to go back and help their opponents?
2) What would you do if you were the Swedish sailors? Is their decision easy?
3) The Olympic games committee created just for them the Fair Play Trophy. Why is it important to play fair?
4) What happens in a sports game when the athletes don’t play fair?
5) Do you think that there are cases where breaking the rules can be useful for the common good (the wellness of everyone else)?
6) Have you made some decisions in your family knowing that you will help everyone else, but you will miss out on what you want? How did you feel?
Conclusion ritual
Hands together in the center of the circle. Then all together scream “1,2,3 Olympic power team” by shaking hands.