Time: 2-5 minutes
Overview: This is a quick welcoming activity in which everyone's voice is heard. It can be used repeatedly to continue building relationships because there’s always something that’s new!
When and Why: This activity offers a simple way to transition a group into a learning space while honoring a diversity of experiences and voices. It also promotes connectedness within the group and is a good example of a “low vulnerability activity” since each person decides for themselves what level of personal experience they wish to share.
SEL Focus: “What’s New?” builds Responsible Decision-Making skills by encouraging participants to choose the news that feels right to them to share in this moment (Situation Analysis and Evaluating), and the Relationship Skills of Communication and Social Engagement as participants respectfully share and receive information.
Steps:
1. Ask participants to find a partner in a way that is appropriate for your group today.
2. Say, "Think of something that is new with you that you want to share with your partner." Then give participants a moment to think of their news.
3. Explain that each person will share their news while their partner fully listens silently, without comment or questions.
4. Tell participants that you will be keeping time and that you will let them know when it is time to switch roles.
5. Give pairs a moment to decide who will go first, ask the starting partners to raise their hands to make sure everyone is ready, then give the go-ahead to begin.
6. At the end of a minute or two, use your attention signal to bring the room to quiet and let participants know it is time to switch roles.
Debrief:
• After both partners have shared, ask them to reflect with each other or with the whole group: “How was it to share and listen to one another?” (That is, NOT sharing their personal story; just reflecting and commenting on the process.)