A high-energy communication and social deduction game for 9th graders focused on active listening skills. Students navigate conversational scenarios while detecting and neutralizing conversational static such as interrupting, dismissing, and distracting.
"I spent three weeks sculpting a ceramic vase in art class. While packing up before the bell, someone bumped the drying shelf with their backpack and smashed it. They just yelled 'my bad!' and sprinted out the door."
Hidden Emotional Signal: Heartbreak over lost hard work, anger at carelessness.
Signal & Static • Scenario Cards Page 1 of 2
Print & Cut Sheet 2
STATIC TRAPS & SIGNAL BOOSTERS
Cut along dashed borders
Static Traps (Secret Roles for Round 1)
Static Role A Interrupt
The Word Hijacker
Your Mission: Wait until the speaker talks for about 20 seconds, then cut them off right in the middle of their sentence: "Oh wait, that reminds me..." or finish their sentence incorrectly.
Impact: Makes the speaker feel their words are disposable and unimportant.
Static Role B Minimize
The Reality Shrugger
Your Mission: When they finish their scenario, shrug and say: "Honestly? You're stressing over nothing. It's really not that deep, you'll survive."
Impact: Dismisses genuine emotions and shuts down student openness.
Static Role C One-Up
The Spotlight Thief
Your Mission: As soon as they pause, redirect the story immediately to yourself: "You think that's bad? That happened to me twice last week, but ten times worse..."
Impact: Erases the other person's moment and turns support into competition.
Static Role D Distract
The Glazed Zombie
Your Mission: While they talk, avoid eye contact. Pick at your nails, inspect your sleeve, tap your foot loudly, and look around the room looking bored.
Impact: Communicates without words that the speaker does not matter.
Signal Boosters (Active Listening Power-Ups)
Booster #1 +10 Pts
The Paraphrase Mirror
Summarize their story in your own words before saying anything else.
"So basically what went down was... and then you were left with..."
Rule: Do NOT give advice yet. Only summarize facts.
Booster #2 +15 Pts
The Emotion Pinpoint
Name the exact emotion the speaker didn't say aloud.
"It sounds like you felt really betrayed when they broke their promise."
Rule: Validate the feeling instead of trying to talk them out of it.
Booster #3 +10 Pts
The Curious Dig
Ask one open-ended question that helps them explore their feelings.
"What was the most stressful part of that whole situation for you?"
Rule: Must be open-ended (starts with How, What, or Why).
Booster #4 +5 Pts
The Non-Verbal Anchor
Hold focus without speaking: steady eye contact, small nods, open posture.
Body oriented toward speaker, hands still, quiet attention.
Rule: Zero fidgeting, zero side-glancing for full 90 seconds.
Signal & Static • Trap & Booster Cards Page 2 of 2
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What is ONE change you can make today to make your friends feel truly heard and respected?
Complete your Student Reflection & Habit Audit Sheet before leaving today.
