Animal Chores
Your challenge is to create a list of five animals and to create a list of five household chores. Then you will respond, combining items from each list.
This is a two-part problem. After you complete Part I, the judge will read Part II.
In Part I, you will have 4 minutes to discuss the problem and create your lists. You are allowed to ask the judges questions; however, time will continue. You will be warned when 2 minutes and when 1 minute remain.
You will separate into two groups. Each group will create a list.
Your problem is for one group to create a list of five animals and the second group to create a list of five household chores.
In Part 2, you cannot talk to one another. You will have 1 minute to think and 3 minutes to respond.
There are 21 items and two containers on the table. With each response, you will place one of the items in a container. Speak loudly and clearly. Once time begins, it will not be stopped.
You should not repeat a response that has already been given. You may respond as often as you wish, and in any order, but must place an item in a container with each response you give. You will be finished when time ends or when you have used all of the items.
Your problem is to pick one word from the “Animal” list and one word from the “Chores” list and connect them in some way.
Judges:
Identify 2 separate areas or tables where the groups can discuss and create their lists.
Place two containers and spread 21 items randomly on the response table within reach of all team members.
Make sure team members surrender an item with each response. These items may be poker chips, coins, tokens, etc. Make sure the containers can accept and hold them. Make sure there are at least two containers.
Place a blank “Animal” list on one table or area and a blank “Chores” list on another. Give each group two sharpened pencils.
If time is ending, remind the team they must create a list.
In Part I, be sure to give exactly 4 minutes. Warn the team when 2 minutes and 1 minute remain. In Part 2 give 1 minute to think and 3 minutes to respond. Team members responding as time ends may finish and be scored. Timing is critical.
If it is obvious that the team does not understand the problem, provide information to clarify the problem's intent and its limitations. Do not help teams solve the problem, but you should help confused teams understand the problem.
You may remind team members to speak more loudly if you cannot hear them. Time continues.
Scoring:
You will receive 3 to 15 points for how well you work together.
You will receive 1 point for each common response and 5 points for each creative response.
Tips for teams:
Tokens left on the table are lost points!!
Any response will be given a score whether the response is judged as being common or creative.
Examples of Common Responses:
Basic statements about the list.
Basic comparisons of items on the lists.
Statements that do not make sense or are not related to the solution.
Statements that are plausible but with no elaboration or humor attempted.
General descriptive statements.
Examples of Creative Responses:
Humorous statements that identify a commonality.
Original, unexpected or humorous statements that include the solution in some way.
Statements with unexpected connections.
Interesting descriptions that add more than just a basic statement.
Creative puns that include the solution.
Debrief
How did the 2 groups work together?
What strategies did you use to work out whether the lists could be combined creatively?
Did you use the paper and pencil for anything other than writing the lists, e.g. planning answers?
Try repeating the problem with different lists e.g. Famous people, Sports, Vacation activities.
Try repeating the problem where the two groups in Part 1 cannot talk to each other during Part 1, did this improve the creativity?