Activity 4: Building a Web of Connections
Part of Sing to the Power, Grades 4-5
Activity time: 10 minutes
Materials for Activity
- Large ball of yarn
Description of Activity
This activity makes visible and tangible some of the web of connection that unites us. Have all participants sit in a circle. Acknowledge that they may have created a yarn web in the past. Tell them this time they will use the information they gathered in their interviews. Say:
Let's think of this web of yarn not so much as a spider's web, but rather as a web of roots, like the roots below the ground that connect plants together below the ground. All of us are grounded in the particulars of our own lives, but all of us have roots that intertwine with the roots of others. These interconnected roots give us strength, support and a sense of belonging that empowers us to act in the world.
Wrap the end of the yarn around your wrist. They will then share one fact they learned about their interview partner. (Example: "Judith has a dog.") Anyone else for whom that fact is also true will raise their hand, and the ball of yarn is tossed around to each of them. Each person who receives the ball of yarn will wrap the yarn around their wrist before using the other hand to toss the yarn to another person who shares that trait in common. If no other person shares that trait, the person holding the yarn may choose another person in the circle to whom to throw the ball of yarn. This person will share a fact they learned about their interview partner, and the game continues. Make sure every person has a chance to share a fact about their partner. If you have time, share multiple facts.
Including All Participants
If any participants have impaired vision or coordination the yarn can be rolled or carried to and from them.