You need a large tarp or a large sheet of plastic, a tarp that you d take camping works best, and you d always have it for the day when there s 15 minutes left of the class and your teacher says OK, what do we do now? Divide the tarp (using duct tape) into 6×6 squares. Then, design a similar pattern in a notebook, and mark off a path from one side to the other. This activity is best played with 5 to 12 people. The object of the activity is that the sensei has the pattern (the correct squares marked off that are safe to walk on) and the group is given 10 minutes to devise a system to get everyone over to the other side of the tarp in 20 minutes without talking. Gestures are one way to create a system of communication for the group as talking is outlawed. This game promotes group and individual leadership, co-operation, and creativity. Once the ten minutes of group planning is up, one explorer is set forth to brave the tarp and discover the pattern hidden in it. The person starts by stepping on a square of their choice. If the square is correct (i.e. it matches the sensei s pattern), then they are free to continue to the next step. If their step is incorrect, the sensei uses a signal (a whistle, harmonica, boooo sound) to announce the wrong step. The other students are using what they discussed as their communication device or are memorizing the correct and incorrect squares or are gesturing the right square to step on or avoid. Remember, one student on the tarp at a time and no talking. If a mistake is made, the person must backtrack through the pattern the same way that he came. New explorers are encouraged to try their skill at the pattern until one person makes it through to the other side. Then it becomes very easy for the remainder of students to all get through the pattern one at a time. Emphasize that there is no talking. Make sure to encourage all students. Steps must be made within the square and must be clearly placed so the sensei and other participants can see where they ve stepped. Go through the pattern slowly. If a mistake has been made, the student has to retrace the whole pattern again. Remember to time the amount of time that is needed to get the entire group across.