ENG_Invictus Games Lesson 2

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Introduction

Description Lesson 2 The Invictus Games are the equivalent of the Olympics, for military and veterans who have become mentally or physically injured. Competing in sports enables them to function and feel much better. ‘Invictus’ means invincible in ancient Latin. This second lesson is all about discovering and highlighting everyone’s strengths and talents. Also, it’s about cooperation and working together! To be invincible, you need to be part of a super team, that combines as many talents as possible. Will you succeed in forming a team with diverse strengths and talents? Because if you do, you’ll be truly invincible! Note: After this, you’ll be able to really get cracking with your class’s Invictus Teams. Please study the lesson material and attachments beforehand, and consolidate with your sports teacher at your professional discretion. The Invictus Games will be coming to The Hague on April 16-22, 2022. Will you join us?

Instructions

Instructions and attachments
This will be the second lesson in anticipation of the Invictus Games. During the first lesson, we looked at the definition and significance of the Invictus Games for its participants. In lesson 2 we will be getting started with forming our own Invictus Teams!
Every person has talents and strengths. Just imagine combining all of these- you’d be invincible, Invictus!

In the attachments, please find the following:

• Instruction sheet
• Speed date work sheet
• Cooperation game
• Experience game

Objective
Finding and acknowledging one’s own talents and strengths and those of others; creating an insight into the group’s diversity.

Instructive setup
Group instruction, speed dating duos.

Skills and competencies
Working together, reflection, expressing one’s opinion, listening actively, showing empathy, recognising and acknowledging one’s own emotions and those of others.

Instructions

Manual_Invictus Games Lesson 2.pdf

Worksheets

IG2_ENG_Speeddating.jpg

IG2_ENG_Experience Game.pdf

IG2_ENG_Cooperation Game.pdf

Invictus Games Lesson 2

During this second lesson on the Invictus Games, we’ll be working on creating our own Invictus Class!

Remember?

During the first part of lesson 1 we discussed the Invictus Games, what it means to be in the military, and what it would be like to return from a mission being mentally or physically injured, remember?

Sports can be the way back to feeling strong and confident again. Sports help!

Take your time to reflect briefly on the subjects discussed during the previous lesson.

• What did it mean to be a veteran?
• Do we recall what the Invictus Games are?
• How often have these Games been organised and where?
• What was the story of Joyce and Rhône?
• Etc.

What where your strength?
During lesson 1 we interviewed each other on our physical and mental strengths.

Briefly summarise which physical and mental strengths were mentioned and discussed.

• Can we name some of our own strengths?
• Can we name some of the other’s strengths?
• Do you remember someone being particularly good at…?
• Who was that person that was really fast at ….?
• Etc.

Everyone ‘s different

What about the different kinds of strengths in our own class?
Are our strengths more or less similar, or are they quite different?
Surely, you’ve heard about other pupils’ strengths that appear to be similar to your own?

Ask a few pupils for a reaction

• Where there several pupils with similar strengths?
• Where the many different kinds of strengths?
• Did you expect this?

Together you stand strong!

It’s actually quite useful to be so different!
In order to become a strong and diverse team, you’ll need a wide variety of talents and strengths.

For example
(Write-as -you’re- discussing using the board, to get a clear outline of this example)

Think of a football team. I such a team there are defenders, but also midfielders. And what about wingers and strikers, who need to possess sprinting skills. And there’s the goalkeeper of course, a completely different role as well!

But there’s even more!
During a match, you’ll need a referee keeping a sharp eye on fair play. Most teams will have a team captain, trainer and coach. And what about all the people that volunteer in helping out at the football club itself? Because what’s a team without its loyal supporters, its volunteers serving snacks and chips in the cafeteria, those who can assist in First Aid, and not least of all, an opponent to play against?

Each has a distinctive role, and all roles a different, but equally important.
Talk about combining talents!

Teamwork works- speed date

This is true for sports teams, the military, your future job, and also right now, in your class. Combining strengths and talents will make you stand stronger. Together, you can accomplish more!
Teamwork works.

Distribute the speed date sheet among the pupils.

Now, we’re getting started with forming a strong team.
To do this, we’ll start with a speed date exercise!

Step 1: Use the first two orange post- its to write down two of your mental and physical strengths.

Speed date step 2

Step 2: You will now use your sheet in speed-dating with your classmates.

You can do either one of two things:

1) Copy the strengths of the person you’re ‘dating’
2) Copy the strengths already collected by the person you’re ‘dating’

Make certain to always write down the name of the person belonging to the talents/strengths

However, the yellow post-its do not reflect the talents/strengths of the person you’re ‘dating’, but they reflect whom they belong to.

The objective is to gather as many different talents as possible!
So, when you run into someone with similar talents, move on.
The more variety of talents you’re able to attain, the better! You could also make drawings of the talents you’ve collected, if that suits you more!

3.. 2.. 1.. Go!

TIP: Set a timer for approximately 10 minutes in total.
It’s an option to have a buzzer sound every 60 seconds, or walk around making sure that your pupils switch often enough. Use your professional discretion.

What did you collect?

Discuss the speed date exercise with your class.

• Who managed to completely fill their sheet?
• Did anyone have difficulty finding different talents or strengths?
• Did you find any classmates with similar talents?
• Are you still missing some talents or strengths?
• What’s the ratio between the physical and mental strengths you’ve noted?

Super teams!

Now that we’ve looked at our individual talents and those of your classmates, it’s time to assemble true super teams!

Select 4 team captains, who will be forming a super team.
Each captain will examine their speed date sheet closely. They will take turns in choosing their team members, provided that in doing so, this will result in a diverse team.

Every chosen team member will bring along their own speed date sheet, which you can now utilise together! This will help you getting to know your classmates even more! So, work and choose TOGETHER!

Be certain to stimulate and encourage your pupils in making choices based on merit (strengths/talents). It’s not about having your friends as a teammate; it’s about finding someone with the right talent. Point out that having your friends in your team will certainly be convenient and enjoyable, but it does not warrant having the best talents or strengths.

Please adjust the number of captains, based on group size.

Invictus teams!

What makes your team invincible? What name would reflect this positively and powerfully?
Choose a name for your team together.

Done?
How about naming the members of your team?
‘Ivan The Powerful’ or Jona The Swift, or how about ‘Aqsa The Just’!

Suggestion: you could really pepper this assignment by giving examples. For instance, The Avengers, Justice League, or X-Men.

Present your team!

Each team will now present itself.
What makes your team invincible, who are the members and what strengths have you combined?

Present the name of your team, and perhaps some of the members’ nicknames!

Note: you could have each team captain present their teams and members; this way each team will have a leader and a clear representative. However, should a team prefer to present as a group, or give the spotlight to a team member with a hidden talent for presenting, make certain to set the rules before the presentation, so it won’t become chaotic.

Optional

Really get cracking with your team?
Now that you’re a true Invictus Team, how about taking on a challenge or mission?
We can offer several options, but you’re free to come up with a mission of your own!

Please find attached two exercises suitable for PT-class or the schoolyard.
Hand them to your sports teacher or find a moment to do the exercise with the teams yourself!

Attachment 1 – Cooperation game
Attachment 2 – Experience game

For a true mental challenge, make an escape room! There are many youtube instruction video's available that can guide you!