Ideal Size
Unlimited, although groups of 30 or less will allow you to walk around and help people.
Use For
Stimulating both sides of the brain, and for waking people up after lunch or anytime the sleepies are setting in.
Time Needed
10-20 minutes is ideal.
Materials Needed
Each person needs three scarves. A light gauzy material is ideal, heavy enough to toss, but light enough to float. Buy material in fun colors and cut into 12-inch squares. No need to finish the edges.
Instructions
Give each student three scarves. Start by practicing with just two.
- Hold a scarf in each hand.
- Toss one up in the air, slightly cross body, with your palm facing out.
- When it reaches its height, toss the second scarf, slightly cross body.
- Catch each scarf in the opposite hand, with your palm facing out.
- It helps to say, “Toss, toss, catch, catch.”
Tip: Only one scarf is in the air at a time.
Once you get the rhythm, add the third scarf. Hold two scarves in one hand, one in the palm and the other in the finger tips. Focus on tossing, not on catching.
Start with the hand holding two scarves. Toss the scarf in the finger tips. When it reaches its height, throw the scarf in your other hand. When it reaches its height, toss the second scarf from your first hand. Focis on tossing, not on catching.
Tip: It helps to say, “Toss, toss, toss.”
This can be a lot of fun, and it feels like such a great accomplishment to know you can juggle that it’s a wonderful energizer for a group. Some students will catch on sooner than others. Let them help each other. Allow for laughter and silliness, of which there will be a lot.
Debriefing
You can go several directions in talking about this exercise, depending on your topic: teamwork, perseverance, the importance of being a beginner, being open to new rhythms, coordination, focus. Watch your students as they learn and identify the greatest struggles and accomplishments. Ask for feedback. Was it frustrating? Exhilarating? Just plain fun?
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