Silent Opera

Objectives

Communication | Collaboration | Team Strategy

Group Size

• Small
• Medium
• Large

Materials

10 – 20 Various Objects (Dog Toys, Cones, Balls, etc.), 1 Blindfold, 1 Rope, Activity Description

Set Up

Select one volunteer to be blindfolded (this person will be "the collector") and one volunteer to give vocal instructions. The remaining members of the group are not allowed to speak. Set up the room and position participants according to the diagram below.

Directions

This activity works on alternative methods of communication. Inform the group that the blindfolded member can speak, but will need to be told what to do in order to accomplish a given task. The person in the middle can only look at the large group but must tell the blindfolded member what to do. The large group will know the task and must communicate that to the middle person without speaking and without crossing the barrier represented by the rope. Lastly, inform the large group of the task (the more specific the task, the more challenging). Tasks may include: collect as many objects as possible or collect specific objects (by color, shape, type, etc.)

Variations

multiple collectors

Debrief Questions

What feelings came up during that activity? What strategies did you use to communicate? Which were most successful, and why? Which role do you think would be the most challenging (i.e. being blindfolded)? Why? What might be the purpose of this activity? What can we learn from this activity about communication (in our classroom, in our organization, etc)?

Diagram