Keep Playing Week 23

Game of the Week: Rock Paper Scissors Party

This week Playworks is featuring a fun, interactive way to learn a conflict resolution strategy that can be used to solve common problems that come up during play!

Skill Focus: 

Conflict Resolution – Ensuring that disagreements or decisions can be settled in a fair and respectful way, or addressing problems and conflicts between individuals in a positive manner as they arise.

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Simplified Game Instructions

# of people to play: 3+
Best for ages: 5+
Setup/Teaching Time: 5 minutes
Equipment needed: None

Goal: To practice using a new conflict resolution tool in a silly, fun, competitive way.

How to Play:

  • Clear the playing space so that all players can stand, sit, move without bumping into anything while they play.
  • Introduce RoShamBo or Rock Paper Scissors 
    • Rock is demonstrated by making a fist. 
    • Scissors is demonstrated with two fingers spread out to look like scissors (think of a sideways peace sign!). 
    • Paper is demonstrated by holding your hand out flat, with your palm facing down. 
  • The facilitator should lead the students in a practice round of Ro Sham Bo/Rock Paper Scissors. 
    • Demonstrate that paper “covers” rock, making paper successful over rock. 
    • Demonstrate that rock “dulls” scissors, making rock successful over scissors. 
    • Demonstrate that scissors “cut” paper, making scissors successful over paper. 
  • The facilitator and students will all say “RoShamBo” or “Rock Paper Scissors” together with their hands in a loose fist shape. 
  • On the word “Bo” or “Scissors”, players will pick one of the three symbols to show with their hand. 
  • If players show the same thing as the facilitator, they will do a selected number (ex. 5) of jumping jacks. 
    • For example, if the facilitator selects paper and a player selects paper, the player will do a selected number of jumping jacks. 
  • If the players are successful over the facilitator, they will give the facilitator a double high five! 
    • For example, if the facilitator selects scissors and a player selects rock, they will take both hands and double high five the facilitator.
  • If the players are less successful against the facilitator, they will encourage themselves by gesturing “Yes!” with their arm and fist while saying “I’m awesome!” a select number of times (ie 2)
    • For example, if the facilitator selects paper and a player selects rock, they will encourage themselves by saying “I’m awesome” the selected number of times. 
  • Play the game for 5 rounds and then select a student to be the main facilitator. 

Game Debrief

  • How did you feel when you were less successful against the facilitator?
  • Can you think of some examples of when using RoShamBo or Rock Paper Scissors could be used to solve a conflict at home or at school?

Game Modifications

Another Way to Play
  • Instead of jumping jacks when players are unsuccessful, try:
    • Dancing in place for 5 seconds
    • Pat yourself on the back and say, “Good job, me!” or “Good job, nice try, me!”
    • Any other movement action that works for the group, as long as it’s clear and agreed upon ahead of time.
Incorporate More Movement
  • Play with your feet! 
    • Rock: having your feet together. 
    • Paper: having your feet spread out to the side. 
    • Scissors: having your feet spread front and back. 
  • Play with your whole body! 
    • Rock: bending over and squeezing your arms around your knees to form a ball. 
    • Paper: standing up straight with your arms over your head. 
    • Scissors: having your legs spread out front and back, as well as spreading out your arms up and down.
Challenge Idea
  • Last player standing round! 
    • Facilitator will lead the game. If players are less successful against the facilitator, they will take a seat.
    • The rounds will continue until there is only one player standing and that player will become the new facilitator.
    • Everyone will stand back up and begin a new round. 

illustration of scavenger hunt game

Brain Break: Classroom Scavenger Hunt

How to Play
  • Give your class a list of different things to find or explore in the classroom.
  • When students find the items make sure they air high five a friend before going back to their desk.
  • When students have short amounts of down time, they can try to find one or two new items.
  • Examples of things your students can find..Pencils, homework drop off station, markers for white board, something blue,  etc. 

    **Here is a template for your Classroom Scavenger Hunt List 

Additional Resources

Sample School Community Announcement

For the month of March we are focusing on the theme of relationship skills. Relationship skills help you navigate the complexity of relating to and building connections with others.

One of the biggest determinants of strong relationships is the ability to resolve conflicts and resurface with a better connection. Conflict resolution skills allow us to make decisions during tense situations that result in positivity for both sides. A quick and easy way to resolve some of those conflicts is to play Roshambo or Rock Paper Scissors. In our featured game of the week, Roshambo Party, players and facilitators are able to practice Roshambo. Roshambo is an easy, neutral way to decide on a winner when a conflict arises during the game. Teach students to play in class, and then empower them to lead the game and teach others!

Core Recess Game

In addition to our Keep Playing Game of the Week, we’re sharing bi-weekly Core Recess Games that will help kids be active, practice leadership, maximize recess time, and have fun.

This week, learn ULTIMATE BALL!

Learn how to play 

Return to the Keep Playing Homepage for archives of past weeks and other helpful resources.

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