Chalk Talk
Chalk Talk is a silent way to do reflection,
generate ideas, or solve problems. Because is it
done completely in silence, it gives groups a change of pace and encourages
thoughtful contemplation.
Format
Time:
Varies according to need; can be from 5 minutes to an hour.
Materials:
Chalk board and chalk or paper roll on the wall and markers.
Process
1. The
facilitator explains VERY BRIEFLY that chalk talk is a silent activity. No one
may talk at all and anyone may add to the chalk talk as they please. You can
comment on other people’s ideas simply by drawing a connecting line to the
comment.
2.
The facilitator writes a relevant question or topic in a circle on the board.
Sample questions:
• What was your biggest success this week/why?
• What are your favorite foods/why do you like
them?
• How can we keep the noise level down in this
house?
3.
The facilitator gives each participant a marker and lines a table with paper.
4. People write as they feel moved. There are
likely to be long silences—that is natural, so allow plenty of wait time before
deciding it is over.
5.
How the facilitator chooses to interact with the Chalk Talk influences its
outcome. The facilitator can stand back
and let it unfold or expand thinking by:
• circling other interesting ideas, thereby
inviting comments to broaden
• writing questions about a participant comment
• adding his/her own reflections or ideas
•
connecting two interesting ideas together with a line/adding a question mark.
Actively
interacting invites participants to do the same kinds of expansions. A Chalk
Talk can be an uncomplicated silent reflection or a spirited, but silent,
exchange of ideas. It has been known to
solve vexing problems, surprise everyone with how much is collectively known
about something, and get quieter members of the group to share.
6. When it’s done, it’s done.
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