Low-Prep / No Prep Conversation Activities Kelly M. Cover Indiana University

Notes about the Activities  “Conversation” is a subjective term. (“Speaking”)  Intended to have less than 10 minutes of preparation time  Adaptable activities for academic learning or informal classes  I did not invent any of these activities.

Conversation Topics  Prep Time: 5-10 minutes  Activity Time: As long as you want! Creation: 1. Write down different topics. 2. Cut up into individual pieces. 3. Place pieces in a small bowl. How to Play: Randomly select a topic from the bowl. Discuss as a group until conversation has been exhausted. Repeat.

Two Truths and a Lie  Prep Time: NONE  Activity Time: ~15 minutes  Materials: Paper and pens if you think they won’t have these items. How to Play: 1. Each student has a piece of paper (can be scrap) and pen. 2. Everyone writes down two true statements about themselves and one false statement. 3. After everyone has written down their statements, the first person reads their statements. Everyone else then asks them questions to try to figure out the lie.

Guess Who?  Prep Time: NONE  Activity Time: ~10 minutes  Materials: NONE How to Play: 1. Each person silently chooses someone that everyone in the room will know. 2. After everyone has chosen their person, students ask questions to determine who each person has chosen.

Hot Air Balloon  Prep Time: NONE  Activity Time: ~15 minutes  Materials: NONE How to Play: 1. Use the people students chose from the Guess Who? game. 2. Everyone is in a hot air balloon. It is sinking quickly. You need to eliminate people or everyone will perish. 3. Each student makes a case for why their person should remain on the balloon. 4. Vote silently or aloud for who should be eliminated. 5. Multiple votes may be necessary. Eliminated students may still vote.

Thank You and Good Luck! Kelly M. Cover