Activity 3:
Chicken Tag
Purpose
To get participants active
To teach participants how to ask and receive help
To create a fun environment
Location
Large open field or space free of obstacles.
Materials
Rubber chickens (two or more)
Things to Observe
Participants are clearly communicating and cooperating with one another throughout the activity.
Participants are enjoying and actively involved in the activity.
Participants are moving about safely without pushing or hip checking one another.
Safety Considerations
Ensure activity space is clear of any objects.
Guidelines
With the large crew ask the participants, “Do you know what a chicken is?” and then ask, “Do you know what chickens do?” Explain that chickens are animals that work together to create structure within their group.
One participant will be the chaser and the others will be the fleers.
In order for a fleer to be safe (from being tagged), they need to be holding the rubber chicken.
The rubber chicken can be thrown and caught by many fleers. Participants can respectively call out to one an- other to ask for the chicken when they feel they need it using phrases such as “Chicken please” or “Over here”.
If the chaser catches a fleer, that fleer must squat down and place their hands above their head, forming the shape of a roof or triangle. They must yell out, “Help me” to the other participants who are not captured for help to free them.
To free the captured fleer, two other participants must join hands over top of the captured fleer and circle around them three times and then after the third time around, everyone can run freely.
The activity continues until everyone has been captured or the motivation level of the large crew starts to decline.
Instructional Considerations
Consider using two chasers to increase the number of fleers being tagged.
Rather than having chasers and fleers run from one another, ask them to use mini-steps (such as the Penguin Walk or moving at a leisurely pace) as they move about.
Some children may not be able to participate in the exact way the game is laid out. Approach these participants beforehand, after explaining the game to them, ask if there is a way they see they can participate. Invite them to play a part in altering the game to accommodate their needs. If together you cannot see a way to be inclusive, choose a more appropriate game that everyone can engage in.
Debrief
Remind the large crew that Making Tracks is about teamwork and community building and so they need to remember to help each other in order to be successful and have fun.
At the end of the activity debrief with participants. Ask them to respond to these questions:
How many people asked for help?
How many called out for the chicken before getting tagged?
How many people helped others by throwing the chicken without them asking for help?
How many people didn’t ask for help, or waited too long to ask for help and ended up being tagged?
Do you have any questions?