Procedure:
1.
Make a list of categories you think might be appropriate in a
getting-acquainted activity for the class you are teaching. All-purpose
categories include:
·
Month of birthday
·
People who like/don’t like (identify a preference, such as poetry, role
playing, science, or computers)
·
Favorite (identify any item, such as book, song, or fast food restaurant)
·
The hand with which you write
·
The color of your shoes
·
Agreement or disagreement with any statement of opinion on a current
issues (e.g. “Health care insurance should be universal.”)
You can also use categories
that relate directly to the subject matter you are teaching, such as:
·
Favorite author
·
People who agree/disagree that (identify an issue related to your class
topic)
·
People who know/don’t know who or what (identify a person or concept
related to your class topic) is
2.
Clear some floor space so that students can move around freely.
3.
Call out a category. Direct student to locate as quickly as possible all
the people who they would associate with given the category. For example,
right-handers and left-handers would separate into two groups, or those who
agree with a statement would separate from those who disagree. If the category
contains more than two choices (e.g., the month of students’ birthdays), ask
students to congregate with those like them, thereby forming several groups.
4.
When students have formed the appropriate clusters ask them to shake
hands with “the company they keep.” Invite all to observe approximately how
many people there are in different groups.
5.
Proceed immediately to the next category. Keep the students from group
to group as you announce new categories.
6.
Reconvene the entire class. Discuss the diversity of students revealed
by the exercise.
