What is Sentence Starter?
Looking for a fun and engaging icebreaker activity to use in group situations? Consider using the Sentence Starter game! This game is simple to play and provides plenty of opportunities for laughs and connection among participants.
The basic idea of the game is to have one person start a sentence, then have the person to their right add on to the sentence, and so on down the line. The sentences can be as silly or serious as you like, and the game can continue for as long as you'd like.
The goals of the activity are to help participants get to know each other better, to encourage creativity and spontaneity, and to break the ice and get everyone comfortable in the group.
The Sentence Starter game can be played in a variety of settings, from classrooms to team meetings to social gatherings. It's best used as an icebreaker activity at the beginning of a meeting or gathering, or any time you want to help participants connect with each other.
To make the game even more fun, consider setting a theme or topic for the sentences (such as "dream vacation" or "ideal job"), or adding in physical gestures or actions to go along with the sentences.
Overall, the Sentence Starter game is a great way to encourage communication and connection among group members. Give it a try at your next gathering, and see where the sentences take you!
Materials needed for Sentence Starter
Sentence Starter requires no materials or tools to play. Just bring yourself and a few others and you'll have a great time!
How to play Sentence Starter
- Gather everyone in a circle: Have all participants form a circle, either sitting or standing.
- Start with a sentence starter: Choose a participant to begin the activity by saying a sentence starter. For example, 'I enjoy...' or 'My favorite place to visit is...'.
- Pass the sentence to the next person: The person who started the sentence then passes it to the person next to them, who adds onto the sentence. Each person in the circle takes turns continuing the sentence.
- Encourage creativity and imagination: Participants should use their creativity and imagination to build on the sentence in a fun and engaging way. There are no right or wrong answers, so everyone can contribute their own unique ideas.
- Go around the circle: Continue passing the sentence around the circle, with each person adding a few words or a phrase to contribute to the story being created. The sentence can continue for as long as you'd like.
- End the activity: When you decide to end the activity, you can either have a designated stopping point or let the sentence naturally come to a close. It's up to you!
Benefits of Sentence Starter
Team building activities are far more than just fun and games. They pack a punch when it comes to the range of benefits they can deliver.
Some of the benefits of Sentence Starter include:
- Breaks the ice: The Sentence Starter activity is a great way to get people talking and interacting with each other, which can help to break the ice and make everyone feel more comfortable in a group setting.
- Encourages creativity: Since the Sentence Starter game involves coming up with unique and interesting sentences, it can help to encourage creativity and get people thinking outside of the box.
- Fosters team building: When people work together to come up with sentences, it can help to create a sense of teamwork and collaboration, which is great for team building.
- Boosts communication skills: Playing the Sentence Starter game can also help to improve communication skills, as people practice listening to each other, expressing themselves clearly, and building on each other's ideas.
- Fun and engaging: Above all, the Sentence Starter activity is a fun and engaging way to get people talking and interacting with each other, which can make any group setting more enjoyable and memorable.
Why we like Sentence Starter
We like Sentence Starter because it's a great way to spark creativity and get people to think outside of the box. It's also a lot of fun to see what unexpected twists and turns the game can take as people build on each other's sentences.
Reflection questions for Sentence Starter
Reflection questions are a great way to help your team process their experience after playing Sentence Starter.
- What surprised me about the sentence starter activity?
This question allows for the reflection on any unexpected or surprising experiences or thoughts during the icebreaker activity. It can encourage critical thinking and self-awareness.
- How did the sentence starters help or hinder me in getting to know my group members?
This question allows participants to reflect on how the sentence starters either facilitated or impeded their ability to connect with others in the group. It can encourage valuable insights into communication and connection styles.
- What did I learn about myself through the sentence starter activity?
This question encourages participants to reflect on how they personally responded to the sentence starter activity. It can encourage self-awareness and introspection.
- What did I learn about the others in my group through the sentence starter activity?
This question encourages participants to reflect on what they learned about their group members, whether it be their interests, communication styles, or personalities. It can facilitate empathy and understanding towards others in the group.
- What will I take away from the sentence starter activity?
This question encourages participants to think about how the icebreaker activity can be applicable to their future experiences. It can facilitate the integration of the icebreaker activity into future interactions and connections.
Which skills does Sentence Starter build?
- Conversation skills - Enhance team communication and collaboration through conversation.
- Creativity - Creativity skills can greatly enhance icebreakers and team building by allowing participants to think outside the box and come up with unique solutions and ideas. This promotes collaboration, boosts morale, and fosters a positive and innovative environment within a team.
- Listening - Listening skills in icebreakers and team building promote effective communication, understanding, and empathy among participants, fostering a positive and cohesive team dynamic.
- Communication - Communication skills are essential for icebreakers and team building because they facilitate effective and open dialogue, allowing team members to connect and understand each other better, which leads to improved collaboration and problem-solving.
Jon Zajac
