operation reimagined: a reflection game

I had a complicated relationship with the game of Operation as a child.  It evoked a combination of excitement and fear each time I attempted to remove a "funatomy" body part without getting electrified. Nevertheless, there was a sense of relief and satisfaction every time I succeeded. When I spotted this childhood classic at a Goodwill store while on a weekend get away, there was a wave of nostalgia that flooded over me. Though the game was slightly anxiety producing, the memories I have are filled with joy and laughter.

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​I didn't purchase the game on my recent Goodwill adventure and I must have subconsciously regretted it, because my mind wouldn't let it go. The next day on my afternoon run, my mind start piecing together a collection of random thoughts that had been percolating in my brain.

​Operation. Team Building. Reflection.

What if I could reimagine a version of this game for brick and mortar and remote learning? 
What if each of the "funatomy" parts could symbolize a prompt to reflect on after a team building activity?
What if we could use some of the digital tools I love and the game board wasn't required to play?

My pace quickened on the last leg of my run, because I couldn't wait to get home and start creating. I've included my reimagined Operation game below to bring into either a brick and mortar or remote learning environment. Of course, the possibilities are endless! Come up with your own variations and share your ideas and game play pictures using the #MLmagical hashtag on social media!

Operation Reflection Game

This reflection activity is based off of the board game, Operation. Each “funatomy” part from the game has been transformed into a reflection card designed to help students process and debrief team activities experienced in your learning environment. 
Brick & Mortar Learning: 
Materials needed: Set of printed cards from Operation-Reflection Activity Google Slide Deck and a die for each team.

1. Download and print multiple copies of slide 4 and 5 on cardstock (laminate if desired) Cut into cards and shuffle. Each team should have at least one of each card.
2. After a team activity, have students reflect on the experience by turning a stack of Operation cards face down on the table.
3. In turn, each player rolls the die and picks up the corresponding number of cards. ie. Roll 2, pick up 2.
4. From the cards selected, the student selects one reflection card to answer and puts the rest at the bottom of pile. The student shares their answer with the team and then play goes clockwise to next student until either all students have answered once, or until time set by teacher is up.

Board Game Twist:
Do you happen to have an Operation game gathering dust in your game closet? Bring it into the classroom and include it in the game!
1. Bring the Operation game to the front of the room.
2. Once a student answers a "funatomy" prompt, they come up to the front of the room and attempt to remove it from Cavity Sam. If they remove it successfully without getting electrified, they get the points associated with the "funatomy" part for their team. Once it is removed, it is out of play.
Each team's points are tallied by teacher and the team with the most at end of the allotted time wins. 

Remote Synchronous Learning:

1. Divide teams into break out rooms in your video conferencing platform, if possible.
2. Give them the link to Wheel of Names and the Operation cards.
3. Select one person from your group to be the team leader. They will be the one to spin the wheel and share screen so everyone can see the wheel and card selection.
4. Person with closest birthday goes first. The team leader spins the wheel. Whatever Operation card the spinner lands on is the card that that person will answer to group. The lead will need to display the question from the cards so all can see it. 
5. Play continues in same way clockwise until everyone has had a chance to answer or time is up.
6. If a student doesn’t like the card selected, they get one re-spin.​

Variation: Give team leader this pre-shuffled deck of cards using slides randomizer and have team leader click through stack in "view" mode as play progresses to each team member. 

​Remote Asynchronous Learning:
In our current reality, synchronous learning isn't always possible. Do not worry! I created a Flipgrid version of Operation that is already set up and ready to share with your students! In this version, students will spin a wheel linked within the Flipgrid topic to select their "funatomy" part. They can add a screenshot of the wheel to bring into the Flipgrid or they could find an image that illustrated what they chose. In the video they will either respond to the prompt given or tap into their creativity and come up with their own metaphor. You also can customize the topic and come up with your own variation. Click the button below to access Operation in the Flipgrid library. 

Operation Reflection Game on Flipgrid

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This game is not limited to classroom use. How could you use this reflection game in professional development or with staff? What other variation ideas do you have? Share on social media using #MLmagical and tag me @tishrich on Twitter and @makelearningmagical on instagram! We are better together!