Role Reversal

What would happen if Guides were transformed into learners and learners transformed into Guides? Are learners equipped to start their day and get to work on their own? What would happen if a Guide was invisible? These are the questions our Guide team was wondering and in the true Acton way we decided to test our curiosity with an experiment! Here’s how our 3 week experiment went:

Week 1 - Guides announced “Today Guides will be learners and your new Guides are…” The eyes of the learners grew wide and giggles erupted. Learners felt this was a game! The newly appointed Guides began to start the calendar and days of the week but quickly learners interrupted and it was difficult for the new Guides to re-direct and hold the attention of the group. About 5 minutes in, learners abandoned the circle announcing “we can do whatever we want!” In short, chaos ensued! Learners were running around the school, banging on the piano, and yes there were a few learners crying saying “this is the worst day ever, all I want is our real Guides back!” As the new Guides tried to collect the chaos they were overheard saying “this is so frustrating, why won’t you listen!” The bell rang and we reflected on what happened. 

Week 2 - Guides announced “Today Guides will be learners and your new Guides are…” Learners remembered the game and a little more than half of the learners chose to stay at circle participating while the others declared a rebellion. Our rebel learners proceeded to run throughout the school slamming doors and standing on furniture. In short they repeated Week 1 and took it up a notch. Damage occurred to our library door. The bell rang and we reflected on what happened. 

Week 3 - Guides announced “Today Guides will be learners and your new Guides are…” The newly appointed Guides went through our calendar, weather voting, and led us in our daily songs (with ukulele accompaniment). All learners stayed at circle, held one another accountable for following the rules, and in record time proceeded to start the work period after checking in with their running partner. Later in the day we reflected on what happened. 

As you could imagine, the learner reflection process was powerful. If you are curious about all the aha’s learners shared, ask your learner!