Remember
September 11
(6-12)
Power
Play
(n41)
Subject
History,
government
Objective
Elicit
discussion on use and effects of power and compassion
on a personal and social scale as well as an international
scale.
Time
Needed
One
class period
Materials
Paper,
pen or pencil
Lesson
Step
1: Divide class into groups of 8 to 10
Step 2: Choose one group to demonstrate first
while others observe…roles will be rotated
so all will act as demonstrators.
Step 3: Give each member of the performance group
a piece of paper numbered one through 8 (or 9
or 10 to match the number of students in the group)
They are to look at their number. DO NOT TELL
ANYONE THEIR NUMBER. Return the paper to the teacher.
Step 4: Instruct students that the numbers represent
levels of power. One is the least powerful. Ten
is the most powerful. With others observing their
behavior, the performers will relate to one another
non-verbally with no physical contact trying to
determine the power levels of the other performers.
They must identify appropriate behaviors for their
level and act/react to those playing with them.
The observers are also trying to assess levels.
They are observing and keeping notes if necessary.
There is no talking during this part of the exercise.
Step 5: Judge the activities of the performers
to assess when they have “played it out”
to the best of their abilities (2-5 minutes).
Say “Freeze” to end the session.
Step
6: Open the discussion to the observers. Have
them place the performers in order of power as
observed. Physically make a line of the performers
as directed by the observers. (Suggestion: make
a quick first line then allow discussion and changes
as majority rules…rarely does the entire
group agree) Performers offer no comments at this
time.
Step 7: Sound Off…Performers reveal their
identities.
Discuss discrepancies…Why did you choose
the way you chose? What behaviors did you identify
as telling? What did it feel like to be who you
were in the power game? What inconsistencies did
the performers reveal? What are the challenges
in this activity?
Step 8: Switch roles…Performers observe…Observers
Perform.
Repeat above.
Step 9: Elaborate on discussion. Apply revelations
and observations to social groups, nations. How
does the understanding and use of Power effect
the world dynamics? What defines power? Who has
it? What power issues were at play on 9/11?
Step 10: Try the role playing using numbers to
reflect levels of compassion rather than power….Discuss
difference in behaviors and possible changes in
the way the world might work…What is the
relationship between power and compassion?