Lesson Plan Title : Creating Easter Eggs by Directions Alone

Age Range: Grade 6 through grade 8 (Middle School)

Overview and Purpose: This activity has students working in pairs trying to create identical Easter eggs. The difficult part is that they cannot see each other's work; they have to rely solely on verbal communication. This gives them a firsthand idea on how easy it is to misunderstand someone and how important it is to ask questions for clarification.

Objective: The student will be able to give verbal directions to a partner so they can create an identical Easter egg.

Resources:

Construction paper

Easter eggs

Markers/crayons/colored pencils

Glitter and sequins

Ribbon and yarn

Scissors

Glue

Activities:

Divide the students into pairs and have them sit on the floor back to back. Give each pair of students the exact same supplies. Have one of the students make an Easter egg and give verbal instructions to the other student on how to make the same egg. Have that student try to make an identical Easter egg without looking at the other student's model and without asking any questions. When the students have finished, allow them to see each other's eggs.

Do the exercise again but this time, have the students switch roles and allow the student who is listening to ask clarification questions. After the students have finished and compared their eggs again, come together as a class and talk about how difficult it was to make the same eggs when they couldn't see each other's work. Also, talk about which was easier, when they had to just listen or when they could ask clarification questions.

Wrap Up:

For homework, have your students write one or two paragraphs about how easily miscommunication can happen and how important it is to make sure you understand what another person is saying.