Jul 01, 2021 New “Conversation Starter” Buttons Have Arrived! An Update to a Favorite”Welcoming Ritual”, “Hook” Engagement, and Reflection Activity
My “Conversation Starters” Pin Back buttons are a playful and engaging way to start a program or class off with style, and a favorite tool of educators and facilitators in all kinds of settings. Over the past few years I have expanded my collection to offer both a set of 30 and 50 buttons mostly made up of my own designs. As I engaged in remote facilitation throughout 2020, I found ways to use the Conversation Starters buttons in online teaching and facilitation, which re-charged my efforts to create new designs to add to the kits. Now that we are back to more in-person programming and the use of physical tools, I am happy to say that the new buttons have arrived and are ready for use! Please reach out if you have an existing kit and would like to add some of the new designs. If the button set is new to you, and you are intrigued, use the code INSPIREDEDBLOG in my online store to save 20% on a set of your own!
Here are some ideas for using the “Conversation Starter” buttons and other free prompts such as paint chips 
as a welcoming activity to inspire and engage your group.
Conversation-starter buttons or paint chips/samples are a fun and easy way to transition into a classroom or workshop space. They are a perennial favorite in my professional development and adult learning programs, and I regularly use them with middle and high school students as a way to check in on progress around group projects. This is also a tried-and-true activity for engaging educators or college leaders in laughter and dialogue during a professional development session. The buttons bring humor into group settings where individuals are reluctant to participate, helping them buy-into the group process. If you don’t have access to the buttons paint chips can be used similarly. I choose paint samples from my local hardware store based on the paint name as well as color.
Facilitation Suggestions
• Lay out the buttons or paint chips on a table. As participants enter the room, ask them to choose one that represents their mood or attitude.
• Having the buttons available during pre-group gathering time or as an entry activity can generate conversations, help group members get to know each other, and set the tone for the program.
• Generally participants spontaneously share about their choices as they meet each other.
• Instead of asking participants to share in a “sharing circle,” I often integrate sharing about their buttons into partner dialogue activities such as Handshake Mingle, Concentric Circles, Commonalities Mingle, or Trade and Share (see chapter six of the Inspired Educator book).
• For groups who are working on a task or project together, the buttons can be used to jumpstart reflection on their roles, responsibilities, goals and challenges with the group
process. For more related reflection activities see the Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner or Tips and Tools for the Art of Experiential Group Facilitation books.
Reference/Resource: You can make your own buttons with a button maker. “Conversation Starter” button kits are available through experientialtools.com. Paint chips can be found at any hardware store, I have been finding wonderful paint names at Sherwin Williams recently.
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