Spatial Requirements: Regular classroom setup; little or no space required
Activity Type: Group
Grades: 3-12
Group Size: 8 or more
Time: 10-15minutes

Introduction: This activity requires that each person will be given a label that is placed on their back. They must guess what the label is by asking questions to members of the group. Once they determine their label the must find another person that has a label that ties to their label. (i.e. peanut butter with jelly) The activity teaches the importance of human connection and communication. Group members must rely on one another as they try to complete the task and then find common ground with their partner.

Materials:

• Printouts of individual names of famous pairs (See below)
• Tape or blank adhesive labels (stick on name tags)

Activity:

Before the activity, prepare printouts or adhesive labels of the famous pairs.

Write or print one half of each pair on sheets of paper (Example: Write salt on one piece and pepper on another, and so on). Tape or attach one label to each person’s back (DO NOT LET THE PERSON KNOW WHAT WORD IS ON THEIR BACK!) then have everyone mingle and try to figure out the word on their own back by asking each other questions. They can only ask each other yes or no questions. Once they figure out their word, they need to find the other half of their pair. When they find each other, have them sit down and find three things they have in common with their partner (i.e. favorite foods, music, hobbies, etc.) while the rest of the group continues. Optional: after they have discussed things they have in common with their partner you could have them discuss how this activity relates to relational resilience.   After you have allowed all the pairs to find one another and discuss for a few minutes then go around the room and have a few of the pairs share what they discussed with the whole group.

Processing the Experience:

• What did you do to figure out what word was on your back?
• How does this activity relate to Relational Resilience?
• What did this activity teach you about relying on others?
• How did learning that you had something in common with your partner impact you?
• Did you see people differently after you discovered what you had in common with them?
• What did you learn in this activity that you could apply to your own life?