Themes: Noticing communication gaps and comparing intention with interpretation.

Participants: Any number, in person.

Materials: Paper, crayons (for variations).

Let the group choose an interesting issue or subject for a conversation. Break the group into pairs. Tell them to sit back-to-back with their partner, if comfortable, and take turns talking for two minutes each, saying whatever comes to their mind on the subject. After each partner has shared, have them reflect back to one another what they heard. Is anything missing? Has anything taken on a new meaning?

Variation: While one person describes their favorite place in the world or in their imagination, the other person draws what they are hearing on the paper.

Variation: Give both partners paper and crayons. Concentrate on drawing the same picture without looking. Compare drawings after a time.