s1games

THE FOLLOWING ARE SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES THAT MAY BE USED TO ENHANCE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOCIAL SKILLS TARGETED IN EACH OF THE MOOSE STORIES.

Series 1 Book 1 “Moose And The Snowman” – Making Friends

Have the individuals in your group identify with one of the story’s characters. Have them explain why they chose their particular character. Ask them to explain how they would act if they were that character in the story. Have them form a chain and walk around the room as the story is read, with each character joining in turn as Moose meets them in the story. Explain the difference between the leaders and the followers and the need to have everyone working together to make the chain work properly.

The goal here is to teach that as the chain grows, and new friends are added to the chain, the group gains in strength, experience, and talent, and the TEAM becomes stronger. The chain is dependent upon each link and everyone is valuable, adding their own special talents to the team.

 

Series I Book 2 “Moose And The Walrus” – Bullying, Controlling Anger, Forgiveness

 

Series I Book 3 “Moose, We Like You Too” – Self Esteem, Image, Acceptance

The exercise here is to play the same game that was highlighted in the story. Each member of your group can, in their own turn, be the subject of the positive comments from every other member. The trick is to try and be creative without repeating the same comments as each person receives their positive praise. This is simply a feel-good activity that teaches us that there is always something nice to say about everyone. I learned long ago that if you have nothing good to say, then say nothing at all.

 

Series I Book 4 “Moose And The Sled Ride” – Sharing, Playing By The Rules

Here we have the opportunity to teach our participants about fairness, sharing and playing by the rules. Have each person in the group identify a game that they like to play and share the rules that are used to play their game. Work from the simplest games of follow-the-leader and tag to more complicated group activities. Identify how the game would change if there were no rules or if someone did not follow the rules and try to play. The silliness and confusion that follow are a great way to show how quickly our organizations break down when rules are not followed.

Have your group each bring a favorite toy or activity to share with the group and be careful to watch for how protective and stingy some can become when working with their own possessions. Watch for the use of those magic words, “Please and Thank You.”

 

Series I Book 5 “Moose Plays Hide-And-Seek” – Understanding, Fairness, Anger

This activity and story are both follow-ups to Book 4. The key here is not just having rules but understanding them. Following the same pattern as in Book 4, select a simple game, for example, ‘Hop Scotch’, and have everyone identify the rules as they understand them. Point out where there are differences in the way people play. Explain how difficult it can be when individuals make sudden changes to the rules, without the agreement of the other players. Have individuals in your group act as ‘Judges’ to assure that an agreed set of rules are followed.

 

Series I Book 6 “Moose And The Flying Lesson” – Challenges, Limitations, Listening To Advice

 

Series I Book 7 “Moose, I Want To Be” – Having Talent, Goals, Individuality

 

Series I Book 8 “Moose And The Children’s Toys” – Truthfulness, Greed, Selfishness, Appreciation

 

Series I Book 9 “Moose And The New Friend” – Rumors, Jealousy, Friendship, Understanding

 

Series I Book 10 “Moose Says Goodbye” – Accepting Change, Loss, Friendship, Renewal

 

Series II

Series II Book 1 “Moose’s Rescue Reunion” – Safety, Dangers, Limits, Preparedness

Hide & Remember – A game of memory: The classic game of Hide & Seek may well be the first group activity that children play. That being said, what would happen if a designated ‘Guardian’ had to remember where all of the children were? Here we take one or two Guardians and see how well they can do just that. Each remaining child writes down a location where they will hide. This can be anywhere at all, including places like ‘The moon’, ‘Under the ocean’, In a tree’, or ‘In my desk’. One at a time the guardians must memorize where the children are hiding. After the group has the opportunity to mix themselves up, the guardians try to remember where each child was hiding. The winner is the one or two who get the most guesses right.

This game does not only promote memory retention but highlights the difficulty in keeping watch over many things at once. Remember that the goal here is not the memory, but the lesson to be safe at all times. Feel free to change or expand on the basic idea to make the activity meaningful for your group.

Series II Book 2 “Moose Gets The Job Done” – Responsibility, Teamwork, Distractions

 

Series II Book 3 “Moose Knows Best” – Competition, Rivalries, Mediation

 

Series II Book 4 “Moose Finds A Fort” – Asking Permission, Borrowing, Respect For Others

 

Series II Book 5 “Moose AndThe Volunteers” – Good Deeds, Volunteering, Teamwork

 

Series II Book 6 “Moose And The Super Sled” – Challenges, Recognition

 

Series II Book 7 “Moose And The Big Mess” – Environmental Awareness, Littering, Responsibility

 

Series II Book 8 “Moose, What’s Your Talent?’ – Achievement, Attitude, Setting Goals

 

Series II Book 9 “Moose In The Middle” – Conflict Resolution

 

Series II Book 10 “Moose Says OOPS” – Accidents And Outcomes

 

Series II Book 11 “Moose, It’s All About Me” – Spitefulness, Revenge, Selfishness, Respect, Sharing

 

HOLIDAY STORIES

HALOWEEN:              “Moose Faces Fright Night”

THANKSGIVING:         “Moose And The Thank-You Song”

CHRISTMAS:               “Moose And The Christmas Rescue”

 

OTHER RESOURCES FOR TEACHING SOCIAL SKILLS: