Fifth graders crowded around Bacone education major Ashley Coursey and chanted “rafa rafa” while touching her arms with three fingers.

The Fort Gibson students weren't experiencing New Age teaching methods, but playing a game that teaches understanding of different cultures and experiences.

Dr. Sally Nichols-Sharpe, Bacone director of teacher education, brought her education majors to Jo Rhyne's class in the Intermediate Elementary on Nov. 3.

After the fifth graders were separated into two groups, they learned two new “cultures,” Alpha and Beta, and learned new language, beliefs and customs for each one.

In Alpha culture, students played “Rafa Rafa,” a game in which they guessed which hand held a tiny bone.

Because the number three is lucky in the Alpha culture, guessing three times correctly means the winner says “rafa rafa” and everyone in the room places three fingers on the winner's arms and repeat it back as congratulations.

The Alphas stomped the floor to talk to one another, but not to their “olders,” played by two classmates.

The Beta team learned to trade colored animal cards, which they described by only making the animal noises.

They were not allowed to speak English at all. Instead, they used two gestures to communicate — shrugging and nodding.

“I was surprised how quick they caught on to it,” Bacone student Kyle Hays said. “I think it teaches them the value of culture and not to judge others too quickly.”

Each team sent three visitors to the other side to try and learn the other culture's ways.

Chaos ensued.

“They had to get out of their comfort zone,” Rhyne said. “Some of them looked scared to death when they entered the other room.”

Beta culture member Sarah Jackson said the whole lesson was confusing but fun. She gamely tried to interact with the Alpha group anyway.

“She cracked me up,” Rhyne said. “At least she stomped back at them, kept stomping, kept trying.”