Candies of Sharing

By Barry Mitchell

Object: To discuss and teach the principle of sharing. Alternative messages of hope and faith.

Props: Large bag of loose M & M candies or Smarties and paper plates or bowls.

Game
Place an equal number of candies on four paper plates or bowls.  Place on a long table and put an empty plate behind each plate of candy.  Divide children into four groups.  For larger size groups divide into more teams to have no more than ten children per group.

Ask for a volunteer from each group to play the part of an outcast. Choose four and ask them to stand off to the side.  Explain that each outcast must begin with nothing. They begin as an outcast because everyone else will be eating candy while they watch.  They have no promise of any candy at all.  However, they can have hope that some of the group might share with them.

Explain to the group that they are to run to the respective plates and pick up five candy pieces. (Choose a number based on the number of candies placed on the plate so that everyone has a turn.)  Then they are to decide if they want to eat all five or share some or all of them with the four outcasts.  If they want to share, they can place them in the empty plate.  When all the candies have been eaten or shared, the shared candies are then divided evenly among the outcasts.

Discussion Points
Sharing means we must give up some portion of what we have been given.
The outcasts had to live by faith that their friends would be willing to share.
Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor.  How is this game an example of loving your neighbor?

Additional Observations
I tried a similar version of this game with rubber squeeze balls and found the children were less likely to share the toy balls than the candy.  It is my understanding that children with peanut or chocolate allergies are safe with Smarties, however, check with the parents first.

Scripture References
Galatians 5:22-23 Fruits of the Spirit
I Timothy 6:18-19 Be generous
Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good
Matthew 22:34-40 The greatest commandments

Egg Head Directions for Teaching Trust

Egg Head Props
Egg Head is a plastic rat trap with a cover.  It is designed to crush plastic eggs for the enjoyment of children.  It is used to ask children questions about trust, however, it’s simply a fun way to ask questions and reward the children for their answers in a way that drives them nuts.  The props are available from Barry Mitchell Products.  The script is printed here to give potential buyers a better understanding of the power of the routine.  Visit our website for a full description of all the props.
www.BarryMitchellProducts.com

Egg Head Trust Presentation
I’m looking for three individuals who trust me.  (Choose boy, girl, and teacher or adult.  Position the teacher in the first position chair and boy in the middle chair.  Ask teacher to identify the rattrap.)  What is this?  It’s a rattrap!  This is not designed to hurt the rat.  It is designed to destroy the rat. (Snap trap against wood.)  I’ll show you how it works.  This is a defenseless pretzel stick. (Ask teacher.)  Do you trust me? Please place the end of the stick on the target.  This will be messy.  (Snap trap against stick.  Stick will shatter and break off a small piece.  Pick up small piece and hand to boy helper.)  Do you trust me?  (Ask boy.)  Place the pretzel stick against the target.  (Some students will actually reach to help you.  Others will not.  If they reach out stop them and say “you can’t do that, you could lose an arm!”)  You really shouldn’t trust me.  Do you think you shouldn’t trust me because the stick is so small or just because I’m a stranger to you?  (Most children will answer the stick is too small.)  That was a trick question.  Actually, you shouldn’t trust me because I’m a stranger to you.  That’s why I asked the teacher first.  He/she is an adult and he/she should know better.  (Pause for laugh.)
It just proves that we can all learn a little more about trust.  That’s why we’re going to play Egg Head, the game show that’s egg-citing to everyone except the egg. Are you wonderfully witted, surprisingly smart, the egghead of your class?  If so, you might just be intelligent enough to win Egg Head.  (Hold eggs for volunteers to choose an egg.)  Please choose an egg.  Each of our helpers is choosing an egg with a question about trust.  If our helper answers their question correctly they win the honor of destroying their egg.  (Set the trap.)  I’ve set the trap because I’m confident our teacher will answer correctly.  Please open your egg and hand me the question.  It is multiple choice with three possible answers.
(The questions will be random when selected.)  Your question is:
1. To be trustworthy means:
A. people can count on your word
B. you have big muscles
C. you own a hardware store.
Our teacher has said “people can count on your word” is that correct?  (Ask audience.)  Come on over and bring your egg.  (Place egg on trap and allow teacher to push button.  Kids go nuts when the egg breaks.)  Give him/her a hand.
(Ask the next person to open their egg and hand you the question.)

2. To be trustworthy is to be:
A. flexible
B. foolish
C. reliable
Our helper has said “reliable” is that correct.  (Ask audience.)  Come on over and bring your egg.  (Student smashes egg.)  Give him a hand!
Open your egg and hand me your question.
3. A trustworthy person builds:
A. a bridge over troubled waters
B. a birdhouse for feathered friends
C. a good reputation.
Our helper has said “a good reputation” is that correct.  (Ask audience.)  Come on over and bring your egg.  (Student smashes egg.)  Give her a hand!

What if a child answers incorrectly?
On rare occasions younger children may answer incorrectly.  When older children give the wrong answer they are most likely seeking attention, however, younger children desire to please therefore they may have misunderstood the question.  I have had a few children that truly didn’t understand trust.  Treat this situation with care and stroke the child’s ego.  Do not declare the child wrong and forfeit their chance to destroy the egg.  Coach them through the question explaining the meaning of the words.  Offer them a second and even third chance.  I honestly had one child give both of the wrong answers before I persuaded him to choose the correct one.  The objective should be for the audience to learn and the helpers to enjoy the experience.

Unlimited Possibilities
The Egg Head prop is simply a method to make asking children questions. . . FUN!  Although it is perfect for questions about trust it is just fun to ask questions about any subject.  Kids just love to see the eggs smashed.