The Gordian Knot

The Gordian knot

Aim: Create energy in the group. Ease the atmosphere.

Equipment: Nothing

Time: 10-15 minutes

Level: All

Content:

· Ask the students to stand in a circle and go as close to the centre as possible.

· Everybody closes their eyes, stretch their hands towards the centre and grab the closest hand.

· When all the hands are taken, the teacher makes sure nobody is holding the same person with both hands.

· The students then open their eyes and are now going to solve the knot and make it into a circle of people again, without anyone losing the grip of the other person’s hand.

· The exercise demand a little bit of climbing, crawling and acrobatics, but usually it is possible to end up in a circle again although somebody might end up lying on their back towards the centre of the circle.

The idea is from the web pages of Amnesty International Norway: www. amnesty.no

Sanner, Marit & Brattvåg, Hildegunn (2000) Vi sa Vi, Participatory Learning and Action (PLA), Deltagende læring og handling – et metodesett fra medvirkning for barn og unge. Redd Barna, PRESS