Instructional Methods For Scouts - Kims Game and Variations

Rudyard Kipling's book for boy's "Kim" is the story of the orphan son of an Irish soldier in India who  was trained for government intelligence work by showing him a tray of precious stones  for a minute's observation, then covering it, and asking Kim how many stones and what kind they were.

At first Kim could remember only a few, soon he was able not only to say exactly how many, but to describe the stones. Then he practiced with other articles, and ultimately was able to glance to see all sorts of details of items that were of value in tracing and dealing with criminals.

Commonly the game is played with 24 articles of different kinds are placed on a table and covered with a cloth. The cloth is removed for exactly one minute; the player looks and, after the cloth is  replaced, writes down as many articles they can remember.

Kim's game can be a terrific instructional method, here's an example of how it can be used to aid in identifying and memorizing trees, tracks, first aid skills etc.

Plant identification:

• A number of plant specimens, or pictures, are displayed with an equal number of blank name tags.
• The instructor asks if scouts can identify any of the specimens using the Scout handbook or other references.
• Once all the specimens are identified and the names written on name tags.
• The specimens are now covered with a cloth.
• The Scouts are asked to name all the specimens they identified while they remain covered.
• The specimens are revealed for one minute and recovered.
• The Scouts are asked to individually write down all the names of specimens they observed.
• Each Scout in turn reads his list.
• The name tags are then removed and the specimens are revealed again for one minute.
• Once again the Scouts are asked to list what they see after the specimens are covered.

Variations;

• Scouts are asked to draw outlines of the specimens without writing the names and then tell the name as they read their list.
• Scouts are asked to list one or two visual clues to each specimen (size, shape, characteristics) without writing the name and then tell the name as they read their list.

This basic model can be used with;

• Animal tracks
• Animal pictures
• Knot boards
• First Aid Supplies (Scouts must tell how they are used as well as what they are.)

Endless variations readily present themselves, the Scouts themselves will come up with interesting ideas. This method is engaging, active and challenging but it can also be overdone. Recall that the goal is leading the Scouts to successfully comprehending the material, not frustrating them.

Instructional Methods for Scouts

1. Introduction
2. Round Robins
3. Guided Discovery
4. Coach and Pupil
5. Kim’s Game and Variations
6. Circle Up!
7. Preparing
8. Who Instructs?

All these posts as a PDF.