increasing stress levels in the classroom.?

Question

I need to teach stress and stress management to adults as part of an induction. Its a struggle to engage with them and I was wondering if anyone knew of a simple game that can be played in a classroom without computers, that is designed to increase stress levels so that I can demonstrate how stress can escalate. Am also wanting to use it as a bit of an icebraker so as to encourage class participation.

Answer 1

I liked the first post. Very creative. Another suggestion would be to announce a pop quiz. Do not tell them what it is about. Simply tell them that there will be a pop quiz today about a particular subject that they should know about.

As for a game... I sometimes use a word scramble with my language students. It is a race to see who can finish first. The 2nd and 3rd teams also win (depending on how big your class is). The stress really rises as the first team finishes. When another team hands me their paper it increases yet again as the 3rd team attempts to place. Each time someone hands me their paper the stress evaporates. However, if I say "This is incorrect" and hand it back... the stress level soars again.

I never thought of it that way before, but when I read your question it was clear that this is a stressful game.

Answer 2

Give class a worksheet with mixed math facts ex. 8+ 4 = 12 /3+
9 x 7 = 11-3= Maybe about 15 problems. Tell them not to turn sheets over until u say go. The first team done with correct answers wins. When they are finished they must get up and put the paper on the front desk or the proposed area for their team.
Keep the math simple because some folk don't know math facts but not too simple. Maybe include one hard one like 7/2=(3.5 or 3 1/2 or 3 remainer 1 all acceptable.
be sure to have an answer key so one member can check answers. They put their name and their team name on the paper when they turn it over. Before they begin remind them that their team is depending on them. Tell them that it is math. Math seems to make people tense. Tell them they have only 3 or 5 minutes and paper will be collected finished or not. If you want you wont even need to check them since u just want to demonstrate stress. The stress goes up after the first person runs his paper to the front. Keep giving them time reports to increase stress.

Answer 3

there are good information about stress on the web.
like
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress_%28medicine%29
http://www.eStressHelp.com