RafaRafa

The times below are an approximation. Times may vary based transitions, etc. Please be flexible. Students should be pre-assigned to cultures. Alphas - Room #13 Alpha Facilitators: Sarah, Jed, Tessa, Kristen Betas - Room #15 Beta Facilitators: KiKi, Sue, Anie, Mare, Robert Midland - Room #14
 * RAFA RAFA – A Cross Cultural Simulation Game**
 * Before the game begins:**
 * Participant Breakdown – numbers & roles**


 * || ALPHA || BETA ||
 * Observers || 4 || 4 ||
 * Visitor – group1 || 4 || 4 ||
 * Visitor – group 2 || 4 || 4 ||
 * Visitor – group 3 || 4 || 4 ||
 * Elders || 2 || 0 ||

Recently we have been talking about culture. What is culture, what aspects make up a culture and how we as individuals all have practices that come from a culture we belong to. This morning as a grade, you will participate in a simulation game. Does anyone know what a simulation is? (Something you act out.) All we will tell you is that this simulation is about culture, to be specific two cultures – the Alpha culture and the Beta culture. Each of you will be assigned to be part of one of these cultures live in their homeland and practice aspects of their culture. Once you are in your “land”, you will be given your cultural norms or rules then you will all have the opportunity to visit the other land and experience in some degree their culture and report back to your homeland. You will get more specific rules of the simulation once you are in your home land. Assign groups – disperse into “lands ALPHAS: Explain the rules of the game, including the norms and roles; assign roles; pass out materials Elders Observers Visitors Pass out bones BETAS: Explain the rules of the game, including the norms and roles; assign roles; pass out materials Observers Visitors Pass out cards (Any questions/clarification should be answered here.) What happens if someone breaks a rule? Depending on the rules of the culture, they may be asked to leave or may be ostracized. How do you expel people if you do not speak their language? Use English. Can you talk amongst yourselves if you are visitors in the other land? You may only use the language of the land you are in.
 * 8:30 – 8:45**
 * Step 1: introduction/Group Break Out (15 minutes)**
 * 8:45 – 9:10**
 * Step 2: Explain & Practice (25 minutes)**
 * 9:10 – 9:50**
 * Step 3: Simulation begins (≈40 minutes)**

After a couple of minutes, Observers from each culture are exchanged. Upon arrival, start 3 minute timer. At end of 3 minutes, without conversation, observers are asked to leave. Each set of observers gets only 3 minutes to relay observations to home culture. Step 3B: Visitor group 1 is exchanged ALPHA Land: Each visitor is given a bone, but without explanation. BETA Land: Each visitor is given a set of cards, but without explanation. Each Set of visitors gets 4 minutes to relay observations to home culture.** Step 3C: Visitor group 2 is exchanged This set of visitors also has 3 minutes to visit. 4 minutes to relay observations.** Step 3D: Visitor group 3 is exchanged This set of visitors also has 3 minutes to visit. Last set of observations are relayed to home culture (5 minutes)** 9:50 – 10:10 RECESS **(**20 minutes) **– please remind students not to talk about aspects of the culture during recess. This would break the rules and ruin the discussion.** 10:10 – 10:50 Large Group Discussion: (40 minutes) Each adult facilitator will be responsible for one or two of the questions below: Ask a member of each culture to describe their own culture. How did your visitors appear to you? What does each think about the way the other described them? Now that you know the rules and norms of both cultures, how many would prefer to live in ALPHA land? BETA land? What can you learn from playing a game like this? What were your thoughts and feelings when you visited the _ culture? Look specifically at the language used. Discuss the difference in using objective descriptive language compared to subjective language that may demean or “put down’ another aspect of a culture.** 11:00 – 12:00 Small Group Break outs Discussion/Activity (1 hour) Task: Create a travel poster for both Alpha Land and Beta Land.** The object is to entice people to visit the lands so include the following: 1. Things to know before you come 2. Positive reasons to visit - What is good about the culture and what useful lessons may be learned 3. What you will see – people, places, activities Posters should include a combination of words and pictures. Some continuation of the discussion may be necessary.
 * Step 3A: observers exchanged**
 * //REMINDER: Observers can not talk or interact with persons in visiting culture; can only observe.//**
 * A running list of perceived norms of the other culture may be kept but remember to remove lists before next group visits.**
 * Upon arrival, start 3 minute timer. At end of 3 minutes, without conversation, visitors are asked to leave. Retrieve bones from ALPHA visitors and cards from BETA visitors
 * Distribute materials per step 3B.
 * Distribute materials per step 3B.
 * Ask a member of each culture to describe the other.
 * Groups of 9 (3 groups per class with a mix of Alpha and Beta members); each group has an adult Facilitator**