Add@Me Learning Methods Database (EN)

Participants stand side by side in a line and take turns telling a story about a topic chosen by the vi facilitator. However, each player will only speak one word each turn. For example, player one says, “Once.” Player two says, “upon.” Play three says “a.” Player four says “time.” And so on. Once they get to the end of the line, they begin again at the start of the line. The vi facilitator stops the story when it has reached a satisfying ending.

Remind the participants to always listen so they will be ready. Encourage them to be quick. Tell them to “sell” their word, make it sound important in the story. Don’t be afraid to put in a strange word, if it fits! Try not to have too much of a story planned in your mind, because you will only have one word to get it going. This is a great warm up game to teach participants that they have to work together to reach a goal. Ask each player what he or she originally thought that would happen in the story.

The group will communicate better and they will work more efficiently as a team.

No materials are needed for this exercise.

The steps and rules of the exercise are explained in the summary section.

No reflection is needed.

A risk would be if participants are blocked and are not able to contribute with a word when their turn comes. Therefore the vi facilitator should take away this fear and explain to participants they can contirbute with any word that comes to their mind, it should not necessary be a specific one or fit with the story.

This exercise should be organised with participants over the age of 16.