Peace Treaty: Teams Agree on a New Rule

After a big game, pairs made up of players from rival teams walk together and negotiate a rule that would make the game better next time. It lowers activation and turns rivalry into conversation.

How to play

1. Form mixed pairs: each student finds someone from the other team (1 min).
2. Walk the perimeter in pairs: each person shares one moment they enjoyed and one that felt unfair (3 min).
3. While walking, the pair agrees on a new rule or change that would make the game fairer or more fun (2 min).
4. Pairs join up in fours and pick one of their two rules; they write it on the ground in chalk (2 min).
5. Read the treaties aloud; the class votes by show of hands on which one to try next class (2 min).

Rules

• Walk, don't run.
• Talk about plays and rules, never about specific people.
• The rule must apply equally to both teams.
• Take turns: whoever hasn't spoken yet goes first.

Variations

Adaptations

• Hearing impairment: the pair uses chalk or a notebook to write their ideas as they walk.
• Limited mobility: take a shorter route, or the pair talks at a fixed spot.
• Shy students: may pick a partner they know, and whoever prefers not to speak publicly can do the writing.

Learning goals

• Calm down after an intense game.
• Talk with someone from the other team and reach an agreement.
• Suggest rules that improve fair play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• chalk: 4

Teacher tip

Snap a photo of the winning rules on the ground and use them next class: students see that their opinion counts. Common mistake: rules that only help one team; ask whether the other side would sign it.

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