Back to Back
Props: A set of 20 Back to Back cards. Several markers or pencils and paper/index cards.
Group Size: Any
Focus Area:
Communication, Sharing Ideas, Understanding Perspective
Suggested Guidelines:
Appropriately partner your participants and invite them to choose who will draw first and who will describe first. Distribute a marker and sheet of
paper to each pair. In a separate part of the room, invite the describers to come over and view one of the cards from below for 60 seconds.
Remember to begin with a simple card and work your way towards a more complex shape arrangement. After a minute, cover the card and invite the
describers to return and sit back to back with their partner. The describer will have 2-4 minutes to verbally describe to the illustrator, in as much
detail as possible, what was on the card. The illustrating partner, using only their partner’s verbal directions draws what’s being described with the
goal of replicating as accurately as possible the original card.
Variations:
Divide participants into groups of 3 with one describer and 2 illustrators. Keep the Illustrators from seeing each other’s work. This has the
potential for a great difference of interpretation discussion.
Divide participants into groups of 4 and allowing 2 describers and 2 illustrators.
Divide participants into groups of 8-10. Each group forms a single file line sitting on the ground. (Participants should be facing towards the
front of the line.) The first person in line will be the illustrator. The last person in line will see the card for 30 seconds before using their
finger to draw what’s on the card on the next person’s back. Then, that person draws on the next person’s back passing the message up the
line until reaching the first. The first person in line draws on the sheet paper with the goal of accurately replicating the original image on the
card.
NOTE: Use simple cards or create your own.
Directions:
Print out the attached card sheets, laminate and cut into a deck of 20 Back to Back Cards.