52 Comments on Do You Have Something To Share?

Paul Ball on Wed, 16th May 2007 12:22 pm


Workshop was a blast and very informative. The activities invite everybody to participate without feeling foolish even if you do something wrong. Thanks.

Mitch Brody on Tue, 19th Feb 2008 8:51 pm


I attended a session you did at Licola a few years ago. It has proven to be one of the most useful training sessions I have ever done. I having applied your princicples to camps here in Australia and also spent a year in the US last year where your simple ideas came in very useful. Thanks for that Mark.

Bronwyn Garnder on Thu, 16th Oct 2008 10:00 am


It was a great day and I thought the people I met were really nice. It was so helpful to see how your games could create such cohesion in a group. Thnaks…

Pete on Thu, 13th Nov 2008 8:40 am


I tried a few of the ice-breaker games and I think the most succesful was clumps – it was a riot. Never before i had seen my students join groups with different people so quickly and easily. thanks Mark

Shane on Fri, 14th Nov 2008 3:52 pm


Mark, I have read your “No props” book and find the activities great. We had a wet day today at camp and without needing to reveiw managed to entertain 48 girls the entire morning till lunch time just running off your fantastic idea’s.

They are great because there is no setup required and you can jump from one activity to the next with continued enjoyment, fun and involvement by everyone in the group. We had a faboulous day, and I think the children and definately the teachers enjoyed the day more than the outside activities.

They had an absolute ball. I look foprward to your workshop on Sunday for more great idea’s.

Cheers, Shane.

Paul Joy on Fri, 14th Nov 2008 6:01 pm


This is a GREAT idea, Mark! Your energy and enthusiasm is infectious, keep up the good work!

Paul Joy on Fri, 14th Nov 2008 6:03 pm


I recently used some of the Group Splitting Exercises with my Yr 10 Religious Education class who I’ve been teaching for more than 10 weeks, so they actually know each other quite well. We had a short research task that I wanted them to do in small groups, but wanted them to engage with different students than they would traditionally sit next to and thus become obvious partners. We crossed arms, we held our hands clasped in front of us and checked thumbs, we lined up according to our birthdates (without speaking) and generally had some fun misxing the group. It was a fun way to start the lesson and they happily worked with different people, and did a great job. It achieved two outcomes; injected some fun into our Friday afternoon class aswell as encouraged them to renegotiate tasks/skills as they had to work in different groups. Simple yet so effective!

Hamish on Thu, 4th Dec 2008 12:59 pm


Mark, after seeing and participating at the ACHPER conference, Sure-fire ice-breakers is fantastic to get the students of any age up and moving to quick games. The energy levels lift 10 fold and they stay on task because it is so easy to move from one activity to the next. Thanks for the ideas and resources, they will be well used for years to come!!!

Lesley Smith on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 6:05 pm


Many thanks for the GREAT tips and Ideas!

I will sometimes use the “DONUT” for generating prior and current knowlege information sharing at certain stages with the class.

Split the group into two even numbers and label one group A and B.( or 1 and 2). Get the A (or 1s) group to form a circle and face outward and then the B (or 2s) to stand directly in front of someone from the A group.

I then ask the A group to spend a couple of minutes revealing all they know about ..(any recently learned information) to their partner.

I then stop them, get the As to move clockwise three spaces and the Bs anticlockwise one space( this is great fun in itself!!!)…they have a new partner and then the Bs have a turn of information sharing.

make it short though…and its interesting to hear similar information repeated…but a good way to reinforce a topic

TIP: if there are uneven numbers, I get the spare person to walk around and observe/listen in on the information!

Bec McGrath on Tue, 3rd Mar 2009 2:47 pm


Hi Mark, In the last month i have been having lots of FUNN!!! The books have been out with me on all my trips and i have been using activities from them and also from the day you came to the factory to enhance my initiative sessions!!

The kids have also been enjoying the games and activities!! They were definately a great investment!!!!!

Thanks again and if ever i have any questions, i will be sure you contact you!!!
Thanks, Bec

Erin Morgan on Mon, 9th Mar 2009 5:31 pm


Hi Mark, yes the book is going great!

Ginny on Fri, 3rd Apr 2009 10:12 am


Thanks for the session yesterday, you are a true artist in games!

Belinda Fly on Mon, 6th Apr 2009 9:46 am


Your session was one of the highlights of the day for me. I have already used some of your activities in the classroom. Awesome stuff. Seeing my students leave the classroom still laughing and having learned something was brilliant.

Bernie Kerrins on Wed, 8th Apr 2009 11:32 am


Hi Mark,
The front of the book was where I went to first, and have directed other staff towards it too. The activities are great. They really tie in with our philosophy towards Phys Ed that we follow as a result of training with the Bluearth Institute. I am on a Health and Phys Ed panel for the Sandhurst Diocese and I presented many activities from the book at a recent inservice and the response was most positive, especially from a Bluearth representative who was there.

A huge plus has been the way that the activities get rid of the chn’s habit of being picky about which partners or groups they end up with ( you know, boy/girl germs !!). I pointed this out to my group and they were blown away by the fact that the activities themselves become so much more fun when they don’t worry about social issues. The only other time I’ve experienced this was when I was teaching Preps. With a colleague I take 50 chn each Friday for a P.E. session and the kids beg for certain games. My colleague also is starting to lead the sessions as previously she was a little reluctant to do so.

Keep up the brilliant work!

Pip Scott on Tue, 26th May 2009 6:45 am


No Props and Count Me In are two of my all time favourite games books. I attended one of your games workshops as part of the ACA conference last year and I can honestly say it was the best PD I’ve had since I graduated. And it was GREAT fun too! I’ve been able to put heaps of things I learnt to practical use since. Thanks so much.

Kerry Baddeley on Tue, 26th May 2009 4:39 pm


I work for 3 and have been using some of your idea’s (games/ice-breakers) in my team warm ups when we have cold calling days, they have all been a massive success and I wanted to say thank you.

Raquel Bloom on Fri, 12th Jun 2009 3:59 am


My team had lots of fun and laughter and I highly recommend this unique program to any team. I should tahnk you fro your professionalism and excellent facilitating skills.

Jan Hagston on Fri, 26th Jun 2009 3:46 pm


So many of the activities support the development of team work, communication and goal setting – and they’re fun! A great way to introduce or reinforce skills developed through the Personal Development Skills (PDS) strand of VCAL. I also enjoyed the challenge of thinking of ways to use the activities with literacy students – and came up with a few. Thanks for the day.

Karl Rohnke on Thu, 7th Jan 2010 11:20 am


Over the years I’ve always been able to refer to Mark for a new take on an old game, and in particular what can be done with the least number of props. Both of his most recent books have a ton of ideas about how to achieve the most with the least. Take a look, you’ll be pleased you did… Karl

Blake Kampen on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 7:34 am


Your books are amazing and i’ve been using the activities on a weekly basis!

LOMANI UILOU on Tue, 3rd Aug 2010 3:00 pm


Hi Mark, after introducing us to your books in 2009 orientation I did wanted to buy and eventually I have them now. I have used some of the games not only at social games but in church also for ‘ice-breaking’. They are awsome games and the good things about it is I don’t need space in my vehicle to carry equipments for games. Indeed, if Aboriginal kids in small Aboriginal communities loved and enjoyed the games I certainly recommend Mark Collard’s game books to every leader who likes to break ‘ice’ before commencing a program and especially ‘Youth Leaders”, “Kids Leaders”, and even adults – All my church members really enjoyed having ‘ice-break’ before I have my church programs started.

Mark your effort and your books have blessed not only my ministry but also the people who have enjoyed the games. God Bless You and Your Effort and Your Ministry Through These Books.

Lomani Uilou

Heath Hay on Fri, 13th Aug 2010 11:03 am


Count Me In and No Props are MUST HAVE books for anyone wanting to create a positive atmosphere in the class. I can’t talk highly enough about Mark’s workshops…By FAR the best I have attended. I have attended two myself, and have recommended a heap of others to go too. Brilliant activities that are written so clearly and are easy to follow. My students love the variety and the fast paced changes of activities. Couldn’t be happier to leave a testimonial. Great books and great workshops from a great guy. Thanks Mark!

Dimitar Dimitrov on Sat, 14th Aug 2010 5:50 pm


No props is an excellent idea for a group-book. It takes team building to a whole new level. My mates and I enjoyed it a lot and it did a great job for us to develop our team skills. Thank You!

Simone Garrett on Mon, 23rd Aug 2010 7:04 am


No Props and Count Me In have been an essential part of my library since receiving them almost a year ago. I not only use it to run my own workshops within my small business but in lecturing within the swimming industry I work in. I feel that effective communication is one of the most important factors in our every day life and these books contain fantastic ideas that get your audience not only thinking but on their feet performing many ‘unnatural acts’ that stimulate all parts of the brain into effective action. Having these books in my library of resources means I dont have to come up with the ideas and games myself, its all done for me. Thanks so much Mark for great resources and your backup whenever I need it.

Jenny Alba on Tue, 28th Sep 2010 10:07 pm


After attending a workshop with Mark, I tried some of the icebreaker activities with my 16 and 17 year old students. We played thumb wrestling, grab it and psychic handshakes and I even used Mark’s idea for creating different circles for activities. I was amazed at how enthusiastic the students were and how much fun they had. It was great to see them interacting so well and even LAUGHING!
I’ve bought the books and have already selected a range of activities to try out. Thanks Mark for such great, user friendly ideas.

Robert Morgan on Mon, 25th Oct 2010 12:05 pm


No Props is one of the most useful books I own. I work in Outdoor Recreation/Education, and the principles of sequencing and FUNN I’ve learned from No Props have really helped to develop my soft skills and improved my instructional abilities. Cheers, Mark.

Lisa Kelly on Sun, 19th Dec 2010 9:31 pm


A few months ago, I participated in a ‘More Than Just Fun’ workshop and had a blast. I also purchased Mark’s books ‘No Props’ & ‘Count Me In’. After having a read, I found that they clarified many thoughts I’d had and things I’d learned from my own experiences in programming but they also gave me new ideas and ways to review on my previous programming failures. It helped me to understand why my previous programs had weak spots and how to improve my programs in the future.
I also found a lot of inspiration and excitement in the books, especially when reading through some of the games and recalling playing them as child. Many of the games I’d forgotten about and it was fun to remember the times, places and people I was with when I had played them in the past. It’s amazing how these games get passed down and stand the test of time with only a few minor alterations! Never stop playing!

Anka Devic on Sun, 26th Dec 2010 2:48 pm


Hi Mark, not long after purchasing your book I lent it to a student teacher that was doing a PE round at our school and I haven’t seen it since!
Regards, Anka

Mark Collard on Sun, 26th Dec 2010 2:50 pm


Hello Anka, what you describe is sadly (and happily?) a frequent occurrence. Many people report that someone nicks their copy of my books, and never return them – understandably, because it seems people like to use them.

All the best for the new year, Mark

Bernie Kerrins on Thu, 17th Feb 2011 10:47 pm


Hi Mark,
I currently work as a numeracy coach to the staff at St Peter’s Primary in North Bendigo. I love maths, but Phys Ed/Sport is my other passion.
I attended some of your workshops at the Phys Ed Conference at Monash 3 years ago and have always used your ideas with great success. I’m not sure if you are aware of the Bluearth program, but your work and their work link together beautifully to give the kids the most successful lessons I have ever been able to deliver. Thank you !
The kids I work with now are fairly hard work, lots of social needs, but your activities are just what hits the spot with them.
I’m also starting a part time job next week for 10 weeks at Latrobe Uni here in Bendigo teaching Phys Ed Prac to the 4th year B.Ed students. I’m planning on making use of many of your ideas, but will always give credit where they have come from. I hope that is okay with you, if not, just let me know, no harm at all. I have to give them the primary perspective of what we do, and my main focus is on total inclusiveness and participation.
I find your activities motivate even the most reluctant participants, and this has been proven consistently over the last few years.
I have just purchased 2 of your texts and I hope that they will be ‘dog eared’ before too long.
I showed my staff your PDF on Ice Breakers (after using some of the ideas with their kids), and I think they are all on board now too.
We love your work, keep it up.

Andy Murrell on Sun, 20th Feb 2011 2:14 pm


Hi Mark, thanks so much for continuing to send me all these wonderful ideas and activities. You don’t know how much I appreciate the range of activities and I use the concepts in the games to show to the Year 10 students who do a unit called ‘innovative games’ where they have to invent a game and then teach it to their peers and then teach it to grade sixes at a local primary school. So keep the inspirational ideas coming…

Deb Delgrosso on Wed, 23rd Feb 2011 4:10 pm


Thanks again for being an inspiration to us all. 3 of us recently delivered an all day icebreakers/ GTKY program for a new school for gifted students. When I needed to ground or regather my energy I closed my eyes and thought back to the great stuff that I have seen you do. You are a great mentor whether we are new to facilitating or not. Just thought I would let you know…..

Christi Trabing on Fri, 23rd Mar 2012 11:10 am


Hey Mark,

I did get a chance to use some of your games/ice breakers. I ran an IDEAS program which is a program aimed at assessing/training new staff coming into OBA from over seas. (they have to show me what they have to instruct at OBA in 7 days) I did a few ice breakers with them at the beginning (All the rock, paper, sciessors, ones, and built up from simple to more complex to the cheering marathon one) .

It was great, because everyone had a blast and I used it to tie into the aims of the course. The aims were for them to show me their hard/soft skills as an instructor and they were all kind of having a 7 day long interview. I tied in the cheering rock paper scissors ice breaker into the aims of them also for each person to be a cheer squad for the other people out there. Although they are out there looking for a job, and they are potentially with their “competition”, I stated that they needed to have fun and cheer for the other person, its all part of the journey and learning process. So I thought it worked well.

Anyways, just thought I’d share that.

And I’ve also been forwarding on your emails and blog ideas, etc to other Trainers that I work with.

Cheers

Christi

Peter Milner on Fri, 23rd Mar 2012 11:11 am


Hi Mark

I have sused a few of the activities from the inservice and book. I also foung the last link you sent me beneficial and forwarded it to my mate who is a footy coach.
I particularly like the ‘ velcro circle game- jump in/out left right .

Thanks
Peter Milner, Fairhills High VIC

Natalie Williams on Fri, 23rd Mar 2012 11:44 am


Hi Mark,
I have been extremely busy implementing the various activities we experienced from you at the PD. I have also added a few from your written resources, most of which have turned out very well… the ESP was a real hit with my health classes, as well as GOTCHA! Thank you!!

Natalie Williams
Health and Physical Educatiom, Somerville Baptist College

John Russell on Fri, 23rd Mar 2012 11:48 am


Hi Mark,

Books have been fantastic and have informed our personal development program enormously, kids have been involved in some of these activities this morning.

Thanks for he continued contact and the inspiration you have provided our teachers and students.

Cheers, John Russell, Principal, Doxa School

Duncan Henderson on Fri, 23rd Mar 2012 12:50 pm


Your practical session from the conference has helped heaps! Actually thinking about the outcome I want from the activity but not always making it explicit is a great way to work with disengaged students.

- Duncan Henderson, WA

Ian Sprigg on Fri, 23rd Mar 2012 1:58 pm


Hi Mark,

The team at Ern Halliday Recreation Camp have certainly made use of the books and tips inside. We have commenced some FUNN re-inductions with our regular instructors to reinvigorate their passion for facilitating to groups….with great success.

Some of the new activities were utilised by our colleague Julia Treadwell at the recent Department of Sport & Recreation WA staff conference, with well over 120 attendees all participating and having FUNN.

Thanks again and best regards,

Ian Sprigg, Manager, Ern Halliday Recreation Camp WA

Ray Moxon on Fri, 23rd Mar 2012 2:43 pm


Hi Mark, I have used them, on no less than 300 Middle School students at the one time! The no props games are a hoot and the children love them.

I need to find some time to read some more to add to my routine.

Cheers, Ray Moxon
Middle School Teacher
Duke of Edinburgh Award Co-ordinator, QLD

Jo Barton on Fri, 23rd Mar 2012 3:34 pm


Hi Mark,
I used almost the exact layout of the workshop you presented at the OESA conference for introduction to my year 10 Outdoor Ed class. It was heaps of fun and gave us some solid foundations to continue the year with.

Just thought I would let you know!

Warm regards, Jo (SA)

Jon Wood on Fri, 23rd Mar 2012 4:47 pm


Hi Mark,… I had my first chance to use the Ubuntu cards with some students I am mentoring in year 12, the activities worked really well. , I want to have a look at some more games with the cards, that I noticed are available on the website.

Regards, Jon (WA)

Darren Wensor on Mon, 26th Mar 2012 9:18 am


G’day Mark,

I work as a Coaching & Developement Officer for Little Athletics NSW. The role includes visiting schools, conducting coaching clinics, educating coaches and coordinating junior development programs amongst many other things. I have been in this particular role for 19 years and before that trained as a teacher of physical education.

I can honestly say that your books have become one of my most valuable resources and I am constantly using the activities that they contain as part of my coaching and presentation repertoire with great effect and response.

This upcoming weekend I am coordinating a 2012 State Team preparation camp and I intend using the Ubuntu cards for the first time. I’ll let you know how it goes. Last year I used a series of the activities from your books in the prepartion of the 2011 State Team and believe this helped to develop one of the closest and best-performing teams that I have been involved with during my many years in the role.

Thanks for your fantastic resources.

Kind regards, Darren

Lepeta Tuaoi on Mon, 26th Mar 2012 11:53 pm


Hi there, your books are great! We use the ideas and suggestions all the time for youth group and my small group at church (teens). It’s a blessing!

Joan Bradd on Sun, 15th Apr 2012 6:30 pm


I love the books there is so many great games for all different times – quiet times or rev up times or great games for mixing and learning to help others. Whenever I have a few spare minutes with the kids or leaders I throw in an appropriate game grom yur books.

Donatella Cozzi on Mon, 16th Apr 2012 6:50 pm


After attending the conference I used one of the ice-breaker with some kids, it was fantastic! Kids responded quickly and enjoyed the day. Thank you Mark for sharing your wisdom with us.

Steve Wood on Sat, 21st Apr 2012 6:36 am


Our school purchased No Props and Count Me In midway through 2011. We’ve found the resources FUNN, effective, easy to implement. Students have thoroughly enjoyed the range of experiences, games and initiatives on offer. Use of these resources has stimulated discussion on possible program expansion. Thanks for a really practical and enjoyable resource for our school to use.

Katherine on Mon, 23rd Apr 2012 11:02 am


After attending two of your workshops I couldn’t resist buying your books and I Iove them, along with your blog site. I couldn’t wait for the chance to use some of your ideas and the chance came up just last weekend, actually two chances in one day! The first was with a group of youth aged 10-17 and the next was with a group of adults. I used the same activities with both groups and they were equally successful. Thanks for the inspiration!

Jon Wood on Mon, 23rd Apr 2012 3:05 pm


Our Physical Education Department have been reading the “Count me in” and “No props” resources and have planned to try a new activity each week. The greatest rewards have come from implemeting these activities into my upperschool course whereby students feel free to engage more during class and that fear of being wrong and asking for help is no longer such a big deal.

Fiona Carter on Thu, 26th Apr 2012 12:13 pm


Easy to use. Lots of choices. Written so that I can pick this up at a moment’s notice and be able to teach a new game in minutes! Has saved many a dull lesson!
Thanks, Fiona

Andrew Gammon on Mon, 30th Apr 2012 9:30 am


I attended one of Marks professional development days. The day was a lot of fun and got everyone involved. His sequencing of activities ensured that even those who may have been a bit timid to start were being heard, engaged and challenging themselves. The books I purchased have also been a big help with my Outdoor Education, Physical Education and Leadership programming. Thanks Mark

Nathan on Tue, 1st May 2012 4:24 pm


After attending the workshop with Mark earlier this year I felt compelled to get the book for my group. Since that time we have taken on the challenge of incorporating one or two activities from them each time we meet. It has been an absolute blast as we all look forward to a new and exciting way to begin our time together as a group. Everyone has a laugh and is relaxed and ready for whatever our group is to do. I recommend the ideas and activities that Mark has put together for anyone very highly. I also look at the website continually to find out any new and fun ideas that we can use too. Mark, you are an inspiration, I am so glad that I met you to learn that my idea of ice breakers was way off! Thank you.

Mark Collard on Tue, 1st May 2012 4:28 pm


Nathan, it was an absolute pleasure to have you “on board.” And I just wish everyone who works with groups could share your new, deeper understanding of what an ‘ice-breaker’ really is (and isn’t). Have FUNN… Mark

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