Favourite Orientation Activity: Fact or Fiction

Easy to prepare, easy to conduct, easy high engagement -- this quickly became one of my favourite activities for getting children (or adults) to know one another better. 

Bonus if you're conducting this for your school's library club - this is an easy reinforcement activity for the definition of 'fiction'.

So what is this activity about?

Basically, on a slip of paper, each participant writes two pieces of facts and one piece of fiction about themselves [a.k.a. two truths and one lie]. Like so:

Once ready, participants can then move around getting someone else to guess which are the facts, and which is fictional. 

Easy, right?

If you are working with a group that requires minimal guidance, you could just get them to scribble on blank pages (Remember to use recycled ones if possible!) after issuing verbal instructions — ZERO preparation required!

If you are working with younger children, participants of any other ages who may require more guidance, or if you simply want to appear better prepared, then consider creating a printable A4 template like this:

I recommend using Microsoft Word for it, and would suggest that you maximize and organize the entire printable space by using the 'table' function. Also, you should either leave a nice space on the top of each strip for participants to write their own names on top, or type in the participants' names prior to printing the strips out as an bonus 'nice touch'. 

Another bonus 'touch' that you could consider adding is a template that would allow the participants to track whether they have completed the activity with everyone in the group. 

This is particularly useful when you are working with large groups, or with participants who are unfamiliar with one another. 

Alternatively, you have all these 'nice touches' and still save yourself half the work by purchasing this activity template here at only $1.50 USD:  

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Orientation-Fact-or-Fiction-6416233

This is a downloadable product in which you will receive a zipped folder containing the following documents:
1) Editable version ready for 40 participants (+2 extras)
2) Same editable version that also allows for tracking.
3) A PDF containing just 1 blank template, 1 sample, and 1 page of notes/implementation tips; an easy-to-handle print-copy-and-run document.
4) The same PDF but with a tracking page.
5) The Word document for the easy-to-handle and trackable PDF.

With all possible PDF and Word versions included, you will have the options to:
a) Label each activity slip for up to 42 participants - because 40 is how we roll in a typical Singaporean classroom.
b) Allow participants to track who they have 'met' during the activity.

The product also includes a full set of instructions and tips for the preparation phase, suggested classroom instructions for carrying out the activity, and other tips and notes for maximizing the possible 'returns' of this apparently simple, but potentially very rewarding activity. 

I hope that you have fun with it. 
Drop me a comment to share your favourite orientation activities!