Activity Objective: Participants share the meanings of the phrases they hold during conversations with others in the group.
Facilitated Objective: Learn more about the ways peers, within a group, think about ideas and explore the use of figurative language.
Needs & Numbers: Print and cut out the 36 phrase cards below on light colored paper of your choice. For long-term use I suggest you laminated the cards. This set of 36 cards works well with one-on-one conversations and up to 36 participants in small group conversations.
Time: 15 to 20 minutes at any time during a program – longer if you plan for more ‘conversation’ practice.
Set-Up: On a table or open floor space, spread the cards out, phrase side up or phrase side down (for some mystery). When setting them out phrase side up, be sure all the phrases are visible for reading.
Procedure: These cards are simply prompts to short, or long, conversations – What does a phrase mean to the person holding it?
- Initially, get a card to each person in the group. Cards can be scattered out on top of a table (as described above), or you can have a few people in the group deal out the cards to everyone.
- Explain that these cards have a ‘figurative’ meaning (you might go into a bit more explanation if needed). Have participants take a moment to quietly reflect on the meaning of their phrase and how this meaning might be significant to them in their lives.
- When ready, ask everyone to form groups of two or three people – encourage the group to be inviting and meet new people.
- Let them know they will be sharing their thoughts about the phrases they are holding within this small group, and they will have about three minutes together to engage in short conversations about their thinking.
- Remind everyone to stay curious and ask questions related to what others are saying to keep the conversation going.
- At the end of the three minutes, ask the group to ‘shuffle’ their cards. Meaning, walk around and exchange cards with others mingling throughout the area.
- When you say, “STOP” everyone should have a new card/phrase to reflect upon and talk about after getting into new groups of two or three people.
- Provide time for several rounds as a way to put more new faces together.
NOTE: You’ll notice some blank cards included below for figurative phrases you’d like to add to your set.

figuratively_speaking_2025_cavert.pdf |
Please let us know how these conversation starters work for you. Leave us a Comment below.
Have fun!
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.