Ransom note

Tools

• White sheets
• Material for the collage (old magazines, newspapers, scissors, glue, etc.)

Steps

• The facilitator starts the activity by asking participants to sit in groups. The groups should be formed by people working in the same team.
• The facilitator introduces the activity by asking participants to set up a hypothetical ransom note situation. Working in a group, each participant will decide what characteristics from the other person (e.g. creativity, problem-solving skills, communication skills, self-confidence, …) he wants to take from the hostage. Then, each person prepares the ransom note.  
• The facilitator should set the following rules for developing the ransom note:
  • participants must create a ransom note of four complete sentences, each with their own purpose.
  • The first sentence should make it clear which characteristic has been kidnapped. 
  • The second sentence must explain why.
  • The third must make the demands clear and the last sentence must provide instructions for delivering the demands.

Tips

• The facilitator must be prepared to have an active role in the beginning of the activity, introducing the goal and the rules of the activity.
• The facilitator can adjust the duration of the feedback according to the goal of this feedback session and also can propose for the activity to be done in pairs.
• At the end of the activity, the facilitator must resume the activity and give space to any participant that wants to share what they liked the most and least, as well as what they learnt and have become aware of after this experience.

An example developed by Slovenian teachers