Quite a few people have asked me what the 'evil game' is. Honestly, I don't think it's for everyone. It totally depends on the vibe of your class and relationship with students. You have to be careful how you play this game or there might be frustration and tears. It has to be done in a playful way.
Anyway, I play it by dressing up as a devil and I act a little cranky...but my students know it's an act and they are intrigued and amused. I tell them that there are some 'mean' games. I remember playing a game called 'sorry' as a kid and it was so frustrating to lose. And we talk about 'Simon Says' and how the whole point of the game is to get everyone out. This evil game has the same objective...I'm TRYING (as the devil) to get everyone out. I have a treat for students who don't get out in the game, but I tell them not to think about it because I'm so confident they won't get it. I like to have a student TA walk around the room throughout class to try to 'catch' students messing up to be marked 'out' on the seating chart. Students don't know if they have been marked out until the end of the class period. And I really do try to get every student out. If I don't have a TA, I mark it myself...but it goes way better if a TA or advanced student does it for me while I help.
To start the game, we review rehearsal procedures. Any student who plays out of turn or forgets to raise their hand gets marked 'out.' I remind students that I expect them to listen carefully, follow instructions within seconds, and work hard to succeed. Game on!
Next, I go through the rehearsal using slides that show what we are working on. For each slide, there is a specific skill I am watching for in my students. If I don't see them do it correctly, they get marked as 'out.' Here are some samples...the yellow text shows what I am watching for.
This next part is very important. We end the class with a game of Simon Says. I'm good at this game and I can get pretty much the entire class out within a few minutes.
"Simon says rest position" "Ready Position" "Simon says play position" "Show me your bow hand" "Pluck D 4 times." etc......
Here's what gets everyone out..."Raise you're hand if you're still in." They all raise their hands and I say, "Not anymore!"
So we keep the tone light. When they are getting ready to play during class, I tell them (as the devil) to relax...don't worry about setting up their finger on the note in advance...etc. My students took that as a challenge and they were extra diligent and playing well without me having to remind them because I was telling them to be sloppy.
In 2 days, I do another version of the game but I show up dressed up as an angel. This one highlights all of the amazing things students are doing and students track their own skills using a tracker sheet I made. It's a very cool because it's such a contrast from the devil themed day. I make sure to say every student's name at some point in the rehearsal and compliment something about their playing. Oh my....the smiles! Happy feelings all around.
