 Contests & Activities: September 17, 2014 Issue [#6548] |
  Contests & Activities
This week: The Writer and the Real-Life Activity Edited by: THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!  
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So I'm going to be talking about some real-life activities here, at various workshops I've attended, mostly meant for teachers.
It's interesting when the writer in me surfaces and tries to analyse these activities from the point of view of plot, character ... and so on. |
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Hi Readers!
So I decided that this week, instead of talking of online activities, I'm going to highlight some real-life activities. And since we're all writers here, I thought I'd just mention what the writer in me came up with, while thinking about these activities!
1. Pumpkin -- float or sink?
This activity was conducted at a science workshop, meant for teachers of pre-primary and primary school children. There was a bucket of water, and various fruits were passed around from hand to hand. Teachers had to predict whether each of these fruits would float or sink, when placed in the water.
The most interesting was the pumpkin. The unanimous prediction was that it would sink -- and then of course it fooled everyone by floating! The guava, widely expected to float, sank.
The well known 'twist in the tale', for the writer! It seems to be going one way, and then quickly changes track, almost at the end. A device used by the humorist, to elicit a smile or a chuckle, the surprise element.
The reason, incidentally, for the floating or sinking, is not the weight of the fruit, but the amount of air it has trapped inside. So even a relatively heavier fruit can float, because it has more air inside -- while the lighter fruit, the guava, sank because it had less air inside it. (Wouldn't want to comment on the lesson learnt from that!!   )
2. Prop -- streamer or ruler?
I came across this activity in a dance workshop conducted for teachers of schoolkids.
The facilitator handed out props, seemingly at random, and then put on music and asked participants to dance, holding their props. Some participants had been given streamers, some had been given long rulers.
Once the activity was done, the facilitator explained the rationale behind handing out the props. Those who were restless and needed to focus were given the rigid prop, the ruler. Those who were a bit hesitant and needed help to move spontaneously were given the flexible prop, the streamer.
When the music started, each participant responded to it according to the prop that they had been given -- becoming more attentive or more relaxed, as needed.
I was thinking of the possibilities of mixing characters and situations -- a very formal character in a completely informal setting ... ? A shy character forced to be outspoken ... ? What are the traits, and what are the props we offer the character, in terms of situations, to overcome or highlight these traits?
3. Tower or house of drinking straws
In groups of six, participants were asked to make a three-dimensional tower or house using the drinking straws provided. These were to be judged on stability, aesthetics and height.
Well, that's what a novel is all about, isn't it? Sustaining the plot and the characters through thousands of words, in an appealing manner, and being able to carry the emotion to its peak when needed ... ?
Participants learnt how important a strong foundation was, and firm links, like tight knots in the straws, to hold their structures up. And I'll bet the writer in you is, at this point, thinking of outlines and plot points!
Hope you enjoyed this NL!
Write on ... actively!
Thanks for listening,
Sonali |
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warriormom
This is an excellent article. I agree wholeheartedly and think it is a great idea for contest winners to have a choice about their prizes. Everybody wins! If they would like the merit badges, etc..., then they would get them. If they need the points even more, then that's a viable option. Thanks for sharing this. It certainly helps me to see prizes in a totally different light. I'm even wondering if I should figure out a way to do this with Showering Acts of Joy. Hmmmm. Pat 
blue jellybaby 
Hey I really agree with you on this too. I too love getting those things such as MBs and awardicons but sometimes it's so hard to raise the amount of gift points for a membership so if an alternative of gift points was offered, it might make it easier for some people!
ruwth 
The prize for "The Christian Writing Contest" is both an awardicon and a choice between 10,000 gps or a Merit Badge. There is a way in which the awardicon promotes the contest and the extra gps can be used to go to the winners membership fund. I know I pay for my membership with gps so fully understand offering a choice to the winner! 
Elle - on hiatus 
Personally I like merit badges best, but I appreciate that others would rather receive gift points. I have some pretty hefty gift point prizes in the "The Kiwi Review Challenge! - closed" but I will make sure I ask winners if they'd rather have the merit badge in gift points too. And I'll try to keep it in mind for future contests. Thanks! Elle
Mia - craving colour
HI Sonali, I appreciate your article highlighting the dilemma of members who rely on gift points to maintain their memberships. Being one of those members, I know what it feels like to receive valuable prizes that represent a lot of gift points.
As much as your perspective on choice for the winner has merit, there is another side that calls for consideration and that is those who hand out the prizes.
Gift Points are the least visible to anyone viewing the winners portfolio. Winners, too, need to take responsibility in acknowledging the contest that awarded them a prize, whatever form it may take. Keep those who create the contests visible, too.
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