discussion activity

This activity can be run as the second activity in a group night about refugee issues, to get Elfins thinking about people who might seek sanctuary in the UK, what they need and how we can help them. The first activity is Same But Different.

You will need: paper and pens

Time: 15 minutes

Split the Elfins into groups of about 4 or 5.

This activity can be run as the first activity in a group night about refugee issues, to get Elfins thinking about people who might seek sanctuary in the UK, what they need and how we can help them.

You will need: chalk or string

Time: 15 minutes

Draw a chalk circle on the floor, or make one in string, about the size of a group circle.

Ask everyone to stand just outside the circle, and to jump into it when a statement is read that applies to them.

Aim of the activity:
To get question the idea that war is inevitable and to think about what a peaceful world could be like.

What you will need:
Pens and paper;
Flip chart sheet and marker pens;
Blutac;
Roll of drawing paper/poster paper or back of an old roll of wall paper;
Paints, crayons, felt tips etc;
Copies of the SEVILLE STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE (download from the foot of the page)
A copy of the STORY (download from the foot of the page)

Aim of the activity:
To explore the experience of child soldiers and the reasons why they have become involved in conflicts.

What you will need:
Two chairs;
Copies of the CHILD SOLDIERS STORIES
Flip chart sheet and marker pens
Pens and paper
Paints, crayons and poster paper

Suggested warm-up:

Aim of the activity:

Pioneers will learn:

That conflicts between people are normal.
How to prevent minor disagreements from escalating into serious fights.
Steps for working out conflicts fairly and peacefully.

Aim of the activity:
To explore the nature and causes of bullying and to examine possible strategies for standing up to and challenging bullying behaviour.

What you will need:
Flip chart paper and marker pens
Copies of the STUDY: KIDS RATE BULLYING AND TEASING AS 'BIG PROBLEM' handout (download it below)

Suggested warm-up:

Aim: To introduce the concepts of water usage with younger children.
You will need: A group of people.
Duration: 15 minutes

Introduce a discussion about water with younger children. These are some suggested questions to ask to get everyone talking:

Aim: To introduce ideas of equality and sharing.
You will need: A treat (cake / bag of sweets / bar of chocolate).
Duration: 10 minutes

Aim: To look at the basic idea of aid and relate it to your own experience.
You will need: Paper, crayons/coloured pencils, a map or globe (optional), a dictionary (optional).
Duration: 30 minutes

Start a discussion about aid, using the following questions as prompts:

Aim: To think about ways of ending arguments and making up.
You will need: Large paper and pens (optional).
Duration: 30-45 minutes

Ask the group to close their eyes and think about a time when someone they knew argued with someone else. Ask them to think about how they felt when that person was quarrelling. Sit in a circle and pass the sentence: 'When I saw someone arguing I felt...'

Each person around the group completes the sentence. Where someone repeats something said before (which will happen) they change places with that person.