Get To Know You Activities
Appointment Clock
Activity Summary:
This exercise helps participants meet new people by having them fill a clock with different appointment times of different individuals.
Training Application:
Time Reference: Approx 30 minutes
Group Size: Unlimited, but best with over 13
Space Required: A room that can permit unrestricted movement
Materials Needed: Empty Appointment Clock (see below), pencils
Trainer Administration:
The group leader begins by saying that this exercise will help them get better acquainted with each other.
After giving each participant a pencil and Appointment Clock, the trainer explains that the group members need to fill each appointment slot with the name of a different member of the group.
After all appointment slots have been filled for each participant, the group leader explains that each group member will meet with everybody on their appointment clock and discuss the topic given by the group leader. For Example: The group leader would say, “It is now time to meet with your 3:00 Appointment. At this appointment, you will be discussing your favorite animal and why.”
Appointment times should last from 1-2 minutes depending on the amount of conversation the group seems to be having.
After the two minutes, the group leader gets the group's attention and then announces the next appointment time and discussion topic.
Variations:
Topics can be adjusted for the group. For example, if the group members are on a service trip, a topic could be “discuss your favorite service project”
Discussion Topics:
You can choose any discussion topic you like, but here are some suggestions:
* Favorite Pet * Favorite Past-time * Favorite Cartoon Character
* Music * Favorite meal * Favorite Vacation Destination
* Dream Job * Pet Peeve * Most Embarrassing moment
* Favorite Book * Favorite Drink * Describe your ideal date
* Find as many similarities as possible
T-Shirt Characteristics
Activity Summary:
Participants reflect on what characteristics of themselves are most important and then share them with the group.
Training Application:
Time Reference: Approx 10-15 minutes
Group Size: unlimited
Space Required: A room that can permit unrestricted movement
Materials needed: For each participant, a blank paper T-shirt and a pen
Trainer Administration:
The group leader passes out the blank “T-shirts” (see below) and a writing utensil and explains that this activity helps participants realize which characteristic are most important to them.
The group leader then posts or passes out a list of characteristics (see below) and asks for everybody to identify which characteristics they value the most.
Participants should then write down the three characteristics they chose in the center of the “T-Shirt.” They do not have to choose characteristics on the sheet.
Participants should then form two lines facing each other. They will then discuss why they chose those three particular characteristics with the person across the line from them.
After a few minutes of discuss, the group leaders has the group rotate several spots so that each person can again explain why they chose their characteristics. This can be repeated as desired.
Variations:
Instead of two lines, participants can meander around the room seeing what other group members put down, talking as they like.
Characteristics
Adaptable
Adventurous
Aggressive
Ambitious
Argumentative
Assertive
Boastful
Calm
Caring
Cautious
Compassionate
Competitive
Confident
Cooperative
Curious
Decisive
Dominant
Easygoing
Efficient
Empathetic
Energetic
Enthusiastic
Firm
Flexible
Forgetful
Fun
Fussy
Humorous
Idealistic
Imaginative
Independent
Intelligent
Intuitive
Inventive
Kind
Loyal
Methodical
Opportunistic
Optimistic
Organized
Outspoken
Patient
Persistent
Practical
Praising
Relaxed
Responsible
Respectful
Sarcastic
Serious
Sociable
Thrifty
Systematic
Tactful
Talkative
Tolerant
Tough
Trusting
Wary
Wise
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