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Alphabet Game

Context for this Strategy

Source: 
Viola Spolin
Unknown
Space: 
Room for a Circle
AKA: 
Name 6
Age Group: 
Upper Elementary/Primary
Middle School/Secondary
High School/Secondary
Directions: 

Players sit or stand in a circle with one volunteer in the center. The group decides on a letter of the alphabet; the center player must then call out five words that begin with that letter before the other players can quickly pass a small object (such as a pen) once around the circle.

Reflection: 
  • What tactics did you use to help solve the problem?
  • How did it feel to participant in this activity? 
  • What advice would you give to help someone solve the problem?
  • How might this problem relate to “real life” situations?
Possible Side-Coaching: 

For center player: “Focus on your list of words, not the object.” For other players: “Keep the object moving!”

Possible Variations/Applications: 

Invite your class to sit in a circle on the floor. Ask a player to sit in the center.  The center player closes their eyes while the perimiter participants pass a small object around the cirle. The center player claps to pause the passing of the object and calls out a letter of the alphabet. The perimiter player caught with the object must “Name 6” words that begin with that letter as fast as they can, which needs to be before the object makes it around the circle again. (the object only pauses when the center player claps, then it continues to be passed)

Source Citations: 

Spolin, Viola. Improvisation for the Theater: A Handbook of Teaching and Directing Techniques. 3rd ed. Evanston: Northwestern UP, 1999. Print.