sarah’s scattered thoughtsJan 26, 2023
Anne
A powerful #lesson - source unknown.
A teacher tells her students, "I'm going to come around and whisper to each of you whether you're a witch or a regular person. Your goal is to build the largest group possible that does NOT have a #witch in it. At the end, any group found to include a witch gets a failing grade."
The teens dove into grilling each other. One fairly large group formed, but most of the students broke into small, exclusive groups, turning away anyone they thought guilty.
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Jan 22, 2023 at 2:34amWeb
Show threadAnneJan 22, 2023

2 of 2
"Okay," the teacher said. "You've got your groups. Time to find out which ones fail. All witches, please raise your hands."
No one raised a hand. The kids were confused and told the teacher he'd messed up the game. "Did I? Was anyone in Salem an actual witch? Or did everyone just believe what they'd been told?"

And that is how you teach kids how easy it is to divide a community.

#division #FakeNews

Show threadSoozcatJan 23, 2023
@annecavicchi There's another variant where you tell everyone they're a witch.
Show threadAmy (she/her/hers)Jan 23, 2023
@Soozcat @annecavicchi better variant honestly, because now you also know what it feels like to be in the out group with everyone you know
Show threadStone Bear Jan 23, 2023

@amyipdev @Soozcat @annecavicchi oooOOooooh.

Aaaaand, what if one of'em really *is* a witch?

I tried to answer that question...

https://www.squidgeworld.org/works/36415

Be Careful What You Witchka For - stonebear - Original Work [SquidgeWorld Archive]

The SquidgeWorld Archive, a project of Squidge.org based on OTW's code for AO3.

Show threadAnneJan 23, 2023
@Soozcat Oh, that would be interesting too!
Show threadRich WarehamJan 23, 2023

@annecavicchi I think I'd have been the quiet kid at the back wondering how on Earth anyone who is assigned witch-hood could ever pass the class since, by definition, they'd always be in a group with a witch in even if they're in a group of one.

I'd then see that no-one appears to be despondent and conclude that no-one is a witch.

Should the assignment be updated to include witches failing only if they're discovered?

Show threadEveyJan 22, 2023
@annecavicchi This is excellent for teaching kids, loved it.
Show threadEnergetic NovaJan 22, 2023

@annecavicchi

Next do democracy pizza lesson. :) why sometimes you just end up with cheese.

Show threadAnneJan 23, 2023
@Energetic_Nova
Haven't seen that one - what is it?
Show threadJames DevineJan 22, 2023
@annecavicchi Excellent story, thanks for sharing!
Show threadMattiePavJan 22, 2023
@annecavicchi I'm going to do this with my students.
Show threadAnneJan 23, 2023
@MattiePav Let me know how it goes 😀
Show threadMattiePavJan 25, 2023

@annecavicchi So I wimped out of telling them they'd fail if they had a witch in their group, but there was quite a lively discussion regardless.

I do play a lot of Mafia with my classes, and the concept is similar, so they took to it pretty easily. I'll probably keep on using it as a warmup game. (I teach theatre so this kind of thing is great for my groups.)

Show threadConor MahoodJan 23, 2023
@annecavicchi wow, thank you, that is fantastic.
Show threadPeat BogJan 23, 2023

@annecavicchi
What if you're the witch in a group? The group fails but do you fail? If so, your best bet would be to say, "Guys Imma witch. Just letting you know so nobody fails."

What if someone in the class offers a deal to any hidden witches to reveal themselves so everyone passes?

This game mechanic needs a couple tweeks, imho.

Show threadTanoujin MilestoneJan 23, 2023
@peatbog @annecavicchi I see where you come from, but the point is, the ones in power will have burned a couple of people at the end of the day.
Show threadAnneJan 23, 2023
@peatbog The thing is, there are no witches at all.
Show threadPeat BogJan 23, 2023

@annecavicchi
At the start of the game the kids don't know if any witches are present. But a clever student can use a bit of logic to determine if any witches exist:

1. Groups with witches fail.
2. A witch who wants to pass should confess and quit playing.
3. If no one confesses after a few minutes, then no one is a witch.

The above assumes students can reason symbolically. Piaget said this skill begins age 12ish but I know working adults who struggle.

Show threadiN8sWoRLdJan 23, 2023
@annecavicchi @peatbog
I would worry that this approach could easily go sideways because there are indeed self-proclaimed witches (and warlocks) as #wicca is a recognized religion and you run the risk of opening a student who practices it themselves or who has a family member that does to attacks. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca
Wicca - Wikipedia

Show threadnandiFeb 13, 2023
@in8sworld yeah this is low key religious discrimination
Show threadSuzanne PaleyJan 23, 2023
@peatbog @annecavicchi This is easy. Tell the class that any witch's grade is a function of how large a group they manage to be part of.
Show threadPeat BogJan 24, 2023

@smpaley @annecavicchi
Right, the students have to imagine the witches aren't in danger of failing/losing along with their group lest solidarity emerge.

One other mechanic I'd fix: linking a pass/fail grade to a game seems fishy, like maybe the whole thing is a prank. Teachers aren't typically so capricious or arbitrary.

I'd switch the pass/fail for a prize to be given to the largest group without a witch.

Another way to approach this theme: https://youtu.be/GXBo_3LyKT0

Let Them Destory Themselves -- 2 Minute Twilight Zone -- The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street

YouTube
Show threadholothuroidJan 23, 2023
@annecavicchi Bad game design. The Witches, if they existed, would already have lost. They would therefore have zero motivation to form any group at all. I would really like a source for this.
Show threadnandiFeb 13, 2023
@annecavicchi what about like actual witches?