Albert Einstein Follows My Every Move

http://www.grand-illusions.com/einstein.htm

This is an illusion of Albert Einstein's head. You put it in the light in your office and amazingly the whole face follows you as you move around. Download the video if you want to get a good look at it.

I don't know how I would use this, but it would be great to buy one and then work it into a presentation. Sometimes that is how it is; you see a prop that you are enchanted with and just wait for a place to use it.

Sunflowers and Support

I am working on a new book called, What's the Object. It is a book to teach you how to use props in training and presenting. I think you will like it. I was working on an idea for using a sunflower, or a picture of a sunflower and talking about how it follows the sun. But when I did a little research I found that it didn't exactly follow the sun all its life and now I know why. You will too if you read on.

Bring in a sunflower head (or a picture of one).

Most people believe that the sunflower follows the sun from morning to night. That isn't quite so. When the sunflower is small and in the budding stage it needs to track the sun every day, it needs the warmth, the support and the power of the sun. But when it comes into its own, full flowering with its glorious yellow petals, it can stand by itself. The cells in its stem lock and the sunflower no longer needs to track the sun from morning to night. Instead it faces east to get the sun in the morning and then stays in that direction all day. In this way it protects itself from looking full face into the sun in the hottest part of the day.

How I Would use This
In many ways when we start out doing this job (fill in your content here), we need the support that our mentors give. It isn't uncommon to follow them around, do what they do, track their ideas through the day. But given a little time, we can find that we can stand on our own two feet and do the job with just a little help.

(Now the trick is to fill in with content of your own, may I suggest a few topics - child rearing, telephone support, relationships, etc.)

A Solemn Promise

Here is a way that I inject a bit of humour and energy into the housekeeping phase of my workshops.

When I am telling the group about the structure of the day I say this:

"We will be finished by 4 o'clock. You have my solemn promise on that. If we finiish any later, and I mean, even one minute later, I will take each and every one of you to Starbucks for the coffee of your choice."

This gets a good laugh. Then I really do watch the clock. As the workshop comes closer to 4 oclock the group will often remind me with a chuckle - "hey Deb, it's nearly Starbucks time." I enjoy the banter.

Now, what happens if it looks like I am going overtime?

In this super rare circumstance I tell the group that the workshop is over as I promised, but those who want to stay behind for more discussion, ideas, etc. are more than welcome to.

It works for me.

Draw It Out

I use this activity in an educator's workshop that focuses on sustainability and community, but it can certainly be adapted.

-Give each person a piece of paper and a felt pen.
-Give them two minutes only to create a symbol, icon or diagram that illustrates (insert your content here)
For example: You have two minutes to draw a symbol or icon of how you feel about the community you live in. It can be a negative or positive feeling, just pop it down in a symbol or icon. Drawing skills don't apply. Please don't write any words or letters.

-Then have the group divide into small groups and hold up their papers to show others in the group The others guess where the person lives.

Debrief:

Who had a symbol that no one figured out?
Who lives in the same community? Let's see your symbols. How are they the same, how are they different. (example: one person has a tree and another has a used syringe)
What do all the symbols tell you about this group?

Now I can see using this activity for a variety of tasks:

your job, your reason for being in the workshop, direction in life, computer skills that you already have, concern you have etc.

Try it, you might like it. Just remember limit the time to a few minutes and use big fat felt pens so the participants don't get hung up on artistic abilities or lack thereof.

What a Fascinating Bunch of People

Here is a simple icebreaker that gets things rolling and allows the group to learn a little about each other. You will need a few details about some of the participants in advance to create your list.

Read the list aloud, one item at a time. When someone in the group hears something that applies to them they come up to you and get a small miniature candy bar for a prize. Often more than one person will come up for the same category. Adjust the ideas to suit each group.

1. Was born in Moose Jaw.

2. Has a cat that was adopted.

3. Has worn a bow tie.

4. Is wearing an watch that they were given by their dad.

5. Has six or more siblings.

6. Has lost their luggage while travelling.

7. Likes sardines.

8. Was born on May 11.

9. Has run out of gas on a highway.

10. Has put dishwashing liquid accidentally into the dishwasher.

11. Has been a witness at a marriage.

12. Has visited Newfoundland.

13. Sews their own clothing.

14. Has sung a solo in front of more than 20 people.

15. Is the eldest in their family.

17. Has ridden in a helicopter.

18. Has gone over Niagara Falls in a barrel. *(just for laughs)

19. Has something in their freezer that is over 2 years old.

20. Has children that are twins.

21. Has seen the Rolling Stones in concert.

22. Drives a car with a standard shift.

23. Has had something they have written read on the CBC radio.

26. Has won a prize worth over $1000.