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Possible Pitfalls
1. Be aware of the physical condition of participants (disability, preg-
nancy, size, etc.) and only use this activity if you feel participants will
not be harmed or embarrassed.
2. Be sensitive to gender and cultural norms relating to physical close-
ness.
Notes:
Compendium of Icebreakers Volume 3
86
Zodiac Game
40
Context Any group
Purpose
" To introduce one another
" To discover participants expectations of the course
Materials
" 12 sheets of paper, each with a different sign of the
zodiac and the dates for each birth sign
" Flipchart paper and markers
" 2-sided tape and/or plastic adhesive
Time 45 minutes
Method
1. Post your zodiac sheets on the walls of the training room, spreading
them out as much as possible. Write the questions you want partici-
pants to discuss on the flipchart.
2. Ask each participant to stand under the sheet that represents their
birth sign.
3. Explain what participants are going to do (see Suggested Explana-
tion) and then form groups of those with the same birth signs (groups
of three to five). If you don t have enough for any one sign, then put
two or three smaller groups together, as far as possible from adjoin-
ing star signs.
4. Give a piece of flipchart paper to each group. Ask them to introduce
themselves to one another and discuss what they have in common
apart from their sign of the zodiac, any significant differences
between them, and how they as a group expect to benefit from the
training. If you have people with different birth signs together, ask
them to discuss what is different about them, any significant com-
monalities, and what they expect to gain from the workshop. Ask
them to record the main points of their discussion on flipchart paper
and choose a spokesperson to provide feedback.
Beginnings and Endings
87
5. After about 20 minutes, ask the spokesperson from each group to
come to the flipchart, introduce each member of his/her group, and
report on what they discussed.
6. When each group has spoken, you might want to pick up on their
expectations and clarify the goals and objectives of the course.
Suggested Explanation
You will see around the walls the 12 signs of the zodiac. You don t have
to believe in them at all, but I d like each of you to find your sign and
stand by that sheet.
Now what I want to do is put you into small groups by sign and ask you
to introduce yourself to the rest of the group. Then discuss these ques-
tions in your group [reveal the questions] and write the main points of
your discussion on a piece of flipchart paper.
Spend about 20 minutes in your group. Then we ll come back together
and I ll ask you to select someone to introduce your group and report on
your discussion.
Variations
1. You can use this as a way to randomly split the group for any activity.
2. You can use any questions you like once they are in their group.
Notes:
Compendium of Icebreakers Volume 3
88
Part II
Endings
We often use some form of exercise to begin a training event because we
know the benefits to the rest of the course. But when the event draws to a
close, often no specific ending exercise is used. Typically, participants
are given an evaluation form to fill out and that is all.
Endings are equally necessary to recognize the end point of any
experience, before moving on, and it validates what has been shared
over the period of the course. Ending exercises don t need to be deep
and meaningful. Often they can be fun; however, with a group that has
worked together over a long period of time and has grown together, some
endings can be very emotional.
Providing a means of formally saying goodbye to the group is the
main reason for ending exercises. Other reasons include:
1. To provide a shared experience for the group before closing
2. To allow participants to recognize what they have gained from
the course and think about how to apply their learning
3. To evaluate the course
4. To see if expectations have been met
5. To provide feedback for the trainer
Beginnings and Endings
89
Action!
41
Context Any
Purpose To encourage participants to make action plans and be
committed to carrying them out
Materials Paper and pens
Time 30 minutes
Method
1. Ask each participant to reflect on what they have gained from the
course and what they are going to do as a result of it by dividing a
sheet of paper into three columns labeled Six Months, Three Months,
and Tomorrow! and completing the columns (see Suggested Expla-
nation).
2. Allow about 15 minutes for this and then reform the whole group and
ask each participant to read one significant item from each column.
Suggested Explanation
To make sure that you don t forget the content you learned in this
course, I d like you to think about what you have gained and what you are
going to do to benefit more as a result of the course, or what changes you
might like to make following what you ve learned here.
Take a sheet of paper and divide it into three columns: one labeled Six
Months, one labeled Three Months, and one labeled Tomorrow! [or
Monday Morning if that is more appropriate].
It s not always possible to make instant changes and, in fact, it s often
easier to think in the long term about what you want to see happen. You
might like to begin with what you want to achieve in six months and then
work back until you come to a list of what you are going to do tomorrow.
You ll have about 15 minutes to do this on your own and then I ll ask you
to share with the group one significant item from each of your columns.
Beginnings and Endings
91
Variation
If you have a follow-up session or work with this group again, you could
document the significant plans that are offered and circulate them to the
participants so that you can refer back to them when you meet again.
Make sure participants are clear about what you are going to do and
reassure them that if they haven t achieved their plans by the next meet-
ing, then they should still come back. Rather than intimidating people, this
method helps reinforce the commitment to action.
Notes:
Compendium of Icebreakers Volume 3
92
And Now Goodbye
42
Context Any, but mainly an ongoing group
Purpose To acknowledge the end of the group in a formal manner
Materials None
Time 30 minutes
Method
1. Ask participants to sit in a circle.
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