Cooperative Game Opening/Closing Ritual
Concentric
Circles
Cooperative
game Opening/Closing
Ritual
Time: 10-20 min
Purpose: To learn something new about members of a group and to engage in short and focused
discussions.
Skills: Appreciating similarities and differences, Communication, Cooperation, Honesty, Inquiring, Listening,
Patience
You
will
need…
10–30 players
Upper elementary age players or older
Enough space to form two concentric circles (one within the other)
Before
You
Begin
Prepare a list of questions or statements that will prompt discussion among players.
Prepare the reflection questions you will ask players in the debrief.
Directions
Introduce the game Concentric Circles. Use this time to reinforce any established
expectations that are important for players to remember during the game.
Explain that the objective of the game is to have short, meaningful discussions with
multiple members of the group.
Ask players to count off by twos so there are two groups, the “ones” and “twos.”
Tell the “ones” to form a circle in the middle of the space so they are facing outward; this
will be the inner circle.
Tell the “twos” to find a partner in the inner circle and face them, forming an outer circle.
Make sure that each player has a partner they are facing (you may have to be a
partner).
After the circles have formed, explain to players that you will be posing a series of
questions or statements and each player in the pair will have one minute to respond or
react to the question or statement.
Read the first question or statement.
Tip: This game provides a structure for discussion on any topic. Your questions or
statements may deal with anything from history or science to a recurring issue within the
community.
Give time (one minute) for partners to have a discussion.
© 2012 Peace First
www.peacefirst.org/digitalactivitycenter
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CONCENTRIC CIRCLES
DIRECTIONS CONTINUED
When time is up direct one of the circles to rotate to the right or left and read the next
question or statement. Repeat this process for multiple rounds, varying the direction and
circle rotation. This way, everyone has an opportunity to have several conversations with
a number of players.
Tip: Between each round ask players to share their partners’ response with the group.
The game ends when you have played multiple rounds and players have talked
with several people. Explain to players that now they will reflect on how they
experienced the game.
Debrief
Debrief the game with players. Remember, this game is only as effective as your
debrief. This is your opportunity to help players connect the game to personal
experiences, actions, and beliefs. You will want to reinforce any skills or beliefs you are
hoping players will carry beyond the game.
For more on facilitating debriefs, refer to the Debriefing Tip Sheet on our Digital Activity
Center.
We’ve included some suggested questions below to get you started.
Ask:
What happened during the game?
Was it easy to have a conversation with everyone? What could make it difficult?
How did it feel to share your responses?
Did you learn anything new about a member of the group?
Thank players for their participation.
© 2012 Peace First
www.peacefirst.org/digitalactivitycenter
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