Activity Name
Take The Hint
Essential Question(s) / Learning Objective(s)
What is necessary for effective communication?
What extra factors can make it even more effective? / Students will learn of the various dynamics required for effective communication; specifically transmitting, listening, nonverbal cues, understanding and feedback.
Mindset Standard(s) / Directions
MS4 Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results and outcomes. / Preparation:
1.) Create a list of about 20 notable characters from different forms of media that most group members would know about. Different forms of media could include books, movies, television shows, video games, and toy lines.
2.) After arriving at all of your characters write each character onto their own note card until you run out of note cards or you see fit to stop.
Behavior Standard(s) / Delivery:
SMS1 Demonstrate ability to assume responsibility.
SMS5 Demonstrate self-discipline and self-control.
SS3 Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills.
SS7 Use effective collaboration and cooperation skills. / 1.) Split all of the participants into groups of four and have them choose one person to be the guessing party and the other three will be clue givers.
2.) Have the three clue givers stand in a line together and facing the guesser who should be about five feet away from and facing the clue givers.
3.) Explain to the group(s) that you will hold up a single note card at a time. The clue givers will be the only people who see what is written on the note card. They will have 90 seconds to try and convey the character that is on the card to the guesser.
4.) Next, explain that, although it sounds easy each group must abide by the following rules:
· The people giving clues may not talk with one another on how they will convey the character to the guesser. In fact, any talking other than giving clues will result in the loss of the word and no points being rewarded.
· Each clue giver can only give a single word at a time as a clue; giving more than one word or speaking out of turn results in the loss of the word and no points being rewarded.
· The clue givers should give their respective clues in a successive order. After the third clue giver gives their clue then the order starts over to allow them a chance to deliver more clues.
· The clue givers may not directly say the character’s name or any other word or part in the character’s name. If they do then it results in loss of the word and no points being rewarded.
· The guesser is only allowed one attempt at correctly guessing the character being conveyed. If they guess incorrectly then it will result in loss of the word and no points being rewarded. If they guess correctly, however, then the entire group will score a point.
5.) Continue with the game until the full 90 seconds have passed or the group has gone through all of the characters to be guessed. Finish by tallying up their points.
Materials & Resources
· 20 note cards
· A sharpie
· A time keeping method
Time Required
5-20 Minutes
No. of Participants
4 per Group
Delivery Method(s)
☐ Individual ☒ Small Group
☒ Large Group ☒ Classroom / Reflection:
· What was it like having to rely on other people in order to help communicate a message?
· What was it like not being able to communicate the entire message the way you wanted?
· What were some things that caused your group to struggle or helped it to succeed?
· Why do you think breaking up the message made it harder to understand?
· What might have made it much easier for the person guessing to understand?
· Why were you able to sometimes still get a message across even though it was broken up?
· What do you think is necessary for effective communication? What can make effective communication stronger?
· What did you take away from this activity and how does it relate to real life?
Grade Level(s)
☐ Primary ☒ Intermediate
☒ Middle ☒ High
* If you are working with multiple groups then you can make it a competition to see which group fairly earns the most points in 90 seconds using the same characters.
Video Tutorial