Get+to+Know+Each+Other

=Getting to know each other might be one of the most important activities in a publication class as you are working on one HUGE group project.=

** Human Knot **
The group starts out in one or two tight circles. Everyone in the group reaches across the circle with their right hand to grab another group member’s right hand. The group then reaches in with their left hand to grab a different group member’s left hand. The object is to untangle the group without letting go of hands until a circle is formed. If the group is having extreme difficulty, you can administer “knot first-aid” and break one set of tangled hands (with group consensus), otherwise group members may not let go at any time. You may have to decide as a group that the know is not solvable, after prolonged attempt. NOTE: Can have group do without talking if they are advanced enough.

** Team vs. the Wall **
Divide the group into two teams. Two members of the team hold the rope at about four to five feet above the ground. The object of the game is to get everyone over the rope. No one can go under the rope. Before you start transferring people over the wall, you meet as a team and decide how to get everyone over. HINT: If group is small, just have them attempt as one big group.

**Pressure Cube**
Divide staff into groups of four. Each person will put arms our to the side, making a cube. The group who can hold arms out the longest wins. The point is to have each group motivate the members in the cube. After you have a winner talk to the class about what techniques they used to help keep arms up and relate to deadlines.

**"Minute to Win it"**
It's more than a show! Use the blueprints and timer on the websites as fun little pick-me-ups. A lot of the materials are inexpensive and you can find them around the school. []

**Outside Activities**
There are many different "team building" activities you can do inside the classroom. Take advantage of what's in your community to do something together.
 * Are you close to a Joe Dumars Fieldhouse? They offer team-building activities for groups. If you don't have a Fieldhouse nearby, check around... you'll be surprised at what local businesses offer.
 * Do military recruiters visit your school? Ask them if they have any team-building activities for you. (The Army brought a rock-climbing wall to Utica High & had a relay with students on medical stretchers!)
 * Simply go to a movie together!

**"Everyone has a story to tell**"
Just like everyone in your school, each person on your staff has his/her own story to tell, and something interesting about them. Pair students and tell them to find **ONE** cool thing about their partner. Your staff will be practicing interviewing skills and finding a story in their interviews.

**Hold a yearbook/newspaper "wedding"**
Have staff members commit themselves to the staff and the publication, for better or for worse. Hold a wedding, write your own vows, have cake and even a reception. Hold a re-commitment ceremony the second semester.

"I, ( say your name ) do solemnly swear to make this the best yearbook ever. To honor our theme, to cherish the almighty dominant photo, and to treat all text with the utmost respect. I do promise to communicate honestly with my spread partner, in good times and in bad. I vow to stand up for all that is good and just in journalism, in sickness and in health. I promise to love you, dear yearbook, for all of my days." []