Every facilitator needs a toolkit to keep those skills that make the programs run smooth. Your toolkit could contain ways to quiet a group, grab attention, divide groups, ways to fill in the blanks and more. If you have some tools to add to our tool box, email them to us!!!
Striving for Silence
Clap Once - Clap your hands one and in a normal speaking voice say, "Clap once if you can hear me". Follow this up with two claps and a corresponding statement. Repeat this until everyone in the group has begun doing the claps with you.
If you can hear... - In a normal speaking voice say, "If you can hear me raise your hand". Repeat until the entire group has their hands in the air. You can substitute any action in there ie clapping, hand on head, etc. Or you could use verbal actions like "If you can hear me, say "ahem". In the event that your group has their hands or feet occupied. (Thanks Kenny Allen for the verbal variation)
Simon Says - In a normal speaking voice say, "Simon Says raise your hand". Keep repeating the phrase with different actions until everyone is playing an impromptu game of Simon Says. A good final action is to say "Simon says put your hands over your mouth". Then you ask they keep silent till it's time to talk again.
Rhythms - Start clapping in a specific rhythm. Keep it up till you have some followers doing it with you. As more join in, try starting complementary rhythms with some of the late joiners. See how many rhythms you can add to the group. Lead them into a louder rhythm and then have them graduate down to a bare whisper and close it out.
Crowd Hush - You would preload the day with instructions on this one. You say "and a hush fell over the crowd!" and they respond with "hushhhhhhhh!" (Thanks Christoper Yucho)
Alright/Okay - When you say "Alright!" the group responds with "Okay!". Try it a few times at the outset of the day and use as needed. Added benefit; as a facilitator you may discover that you use the two terms A LOT more than you thought you did. The cool thing is they start listening for you to use those two terms and it becomes kind of a "gotcha". (Thanks Jennifer Steinmetz)
Assume the Position - Shift the responsibility to the group. Extend one arm with index finger pointed up and the other hand with index finger placed over your lips. Tell the group early on that they are not to do this unless they are ready to be silent. Once the pose is assumed by you or a group member everyone must follow suit.(Thanks Ron Smith)
Filling in the Gaps
Hand Jousting - I use this to kill time when we're waiting in line for lunch, etc. It's a quick physical activity that appeals to kids of all ages. Stand facing your opponent at an arms length. Each of you hold your hands up slightly out from your body, palms facing your opponent. The object is to get your opponent to move one of his feet first. To do this you try and push his hands. You're only allowed to hit your opponents hands, the body and head are off limits.
Divide and Conquer
Favorites - This one is great for splitting a group while insuring that the cliques are seperated. Ask the group to separate into groups of four. Typically, they'll form group of four with their close friends. This works to our advantage. Now name four sports like Soccer, La Crosse, Football, and Ping Pong and tell them that in their group they must choose who will play which sport. Each person must pick one of the four you named and each sport can only be represented once in each group. Once they've chosen group all the Soccer players together, the basketball players..... etc. You can substitute food for sports, cars, tv shows, days of the week etc.
Commonalities - Tell everyone to find one other person they have something in common with. This commonality cannot be obvious ie color of shirt, gender, etc. Give them a few moments once everyone is paired up. Now ask everyone to find 2 other people that they share a trait or experience with. Keep this going till you have them in the group sizes you're looking for. There are some other variations of this floating around out there. If you know one, let us know!
Instructables
In a minute but not yet - I heard this from Ben Miller who said he got it from Chris Cavert (if my memory serves). Groups tend to have short instructional receiving spans. The phrase "In a minute, but not yet..." is a great focuser to keep them captive till you've completeted the directions.
Miscellaneous
Ooooohhhh... ahhhhhhhh - As a quirky little lead thing, I like to announce an activity by saying, "Welcome to the [insert activity here]!", then I follow it with, "Everybody say ooooooohhhhhh.... everybody say ahhhhhhhhhhh". This usually gets a few laughs or smiles. It's silly but it serves it purpose. =]
