An Interplay Example with a Small group:
Jackie, a social worker in an inner city school system, created an Interplay Magician's Club for aggressive, explosive third graders. The children were interested in becoming magicians and eager to create a magic show that could be seen by the 2nd and 3rd graders.
Jackie and the children created a password and club handshake that made the group feel cohesive. The students were presented with the Magician code of strategies they needed to master to receive a membership card in the magician's fellowship. The strategies emphasized the skills the students needed. Examples included: 1. 'Stay cool' like a magician when you don't master your trick right away; 2. Magicians welcome helpful suggestions; 3. 'Hocus pocus keep your focus'.
Jackie then taught the students some tricks and videotaped their practice. She highlighted their mastery of the magician skills.
At the end of eight weeks all the students had made significant progress in regulating their behavior and feeling more positive about themselves and others.
The final performance was a big success and helped to improve their social standing with their fellow students.
