Social Spark Facilitator Guide FACILITATOR GUIDE
Social Spark
Interactive Icebreakers & Conversation Skills
TIME NEEDED 60-90 Mins
Lesson Objective & Philosophy
Participants practice introducing themselves, asking questions, and discovering shared interests through high-energy, experiential activities. Focus on learning by doing . Keep the pacing active, supportive, and physical!
1
Find Someone Who... (15 Mins)
Setup: Hand out the Icebreaker Bingo Sheet to each participant with a pen. Ensure everyone has room to move.
Action: Participants walk around, introduce themselves, and ask questions to find people who match grid statements. Write names in corresponding boxes!
KEY PROMPTS
"Hi! I'm [Name]. Do you like pizza?"
DIFFERENTIATION
Use image cards for non-readers
2
Conversation Cubes (15 Mins)
Setup: Use standard dice or printable Conversation Sparkers Cards . Seat participants in circles of 4-6.
Action: Roll a die or draw a number card. Answer the corresponding numbered question, then pass to a peer to ask the same question back.
Favorite Food
Favorite Hobby
Favorite Movie
Traveled Place
Best Holiday
What Makes Laugh
3
Mystery Person (15 Mins)
Setup: Gather as a whole group. Remind everyone about making friendly, polite observations.
Action: One person secretly selects a peer in the room. Other participants take turns asking YES or NO questions to narrow down and guess who it is!
Safety Rule: Remind participants: only ask about kind or neutral features (e.g., clothes, hair, seating). No negative or sensitive questions.
Social Spark Facilitator Guide Page 1 of 2
FACILITATOR GUIDE
Active Group Challenges
Activities 4-6 & Reflection Framework
RESOURCES Slides & Cards
4
Move If... (15 Mins)
Setup: Use the Visual Slide Deck . Clear a wide path in the middle of the room so participants can easily walk from one side to the other.
Action: Read slides aloud (e.g., "Move if you like dogs!"). Participants who agree walk across. Give them 30 seconds to say hi to someone who moved with them.
5
Would You Rather? (15 Mins)
Setup: Designate the Left side of the room as Option A and the Right side as Option B. Use the Visual Slide Deck to project prompts.
Action: Read out choices. Participants move to their preferred side and take turns sharing "why" with the person next to them.
6
Meet a New Friend (15 Mins)
Setup: Pair participants with a peer they don't know well. Distribute the Conversation Sparkers Cards (standard/simple/image cards based on verbal level).
Action: Partners interview each other for 5 minutes. Afterward, each participant introduces their partner to the larger group, sharing 2-3 fun facts they discovered.
Reflection & Wrap-Up Framework
FACILITATOR QUESTIONS
Which question got you the most excited to share?
What was the easiest conversation start?
Who surprised you with a shared interest?
COACHING CORNER
Praise active listening! Point out moments where participants nodded, asked follow-up questions, or smiled. Reinforce that finding one thing in common builds a bridge.
Social Spark Facilitator Guide Page 2 of 2
Social Spark Slides Presentation Let's Connect!
Social Spark
Let's break the ice, move around, and find what we have in common!
Active Social Skills Challenge Get Ready To Move
How We Play
Introduce First
Whenever you walk next to someone new, say your name and say hello with a smile!
Be Respectful
Everyone has different favorites. We celebrate and listen to everyone's choices!
Move Safely
Walk slowly and safely across the room. No running or pushing!
Ask & Share
Ask "Why did you choose that?" to find shared connection points!
Session Ground Rules Slide 2 of 10
CHALLENGE 1: MOVE IF...
STAND UP AND MOVE IF...
You like eating pizza! 🍕
Once you arrive at the other side, find one partner and ask what their favorite toppings are!
Ready... Steady... Move! Slide 3 of 10
CHALLENGE 1: MOVE IF...
STAND UP AND MOVE IF...
You have visited another state! ✈️
Ask someone who moved with you: Where is the farthest place you've ever been?
Discovering Travel Partners Slide 4 of 10
CHALLENGE 1: MOVE IF...
STAND UP AND MOVE IF...
You enjoy camping or the beach! 🏖️
Say hi to a nearby mover and tell them if you prefer sunny sand or shady trees!
Nature Lovers Connect Slide 5 of 10
CHALLENGE 2: WOULD YOU RATHER
OPTION A 🍕
Eat Pizza
Go to the LEFT side of the room
OPTION B 🌮
Eat Tacos
Go to the RIGHT side of the room
Choose your flavor and explain why! Slide 6 of 10
CHALLENGE 2: WOULD YOU RATHER
OPTION A 🏖️
Relax at Beach
Go to the LEFT side of the room
OPTION B 🏔️
Explore Mountains
Go to the RIGHT side of the room
Choose your landscape and explain why! Slide 7 of 10
CHALLENGE 2: WOULD YOU RATHER
OPTION A 🐱
Cuddle Cats
Go to the LEFT side of the room
OPTION B 🐶
Play with Dogs
Go to the RIGHT side of the room
Choose your pet partner and explain why! Slide 8 of 10
CHALLENGE 2: WOULD YOU RATHER
OPTION A 🍩
Icebreaker Bingo Worksheet Name:
Date:
Activity 1
Icebreaker Bingo!
Introduce yourself to classmates, ask questions, and write their name in matching boxes. Can you get 5 in a row?
B
I
N
G
O
🐶
Has a pet at home
🍕
Likes eating pizza
🎵
Enjoys music
🏖️
Been to beach
🧑🍳
Likes to cook
⚽
Enjoys sports
🎬
Has favorite movie
🎮
Likes video games
🧑🤝🧑
Has siblings
🍫
Likes chocolate
🎸
Plays instrument
🌧️
Likes rainy days
⭐
FREE SPACE
Sign your name!
🚲
Rides a bicycle
🐱
Prefers cats
🎨
Likes to draw
👓
Wears glasses
☕
Loves coffee/tea
📚
Likes reading books
🍩
Likes sweet snacks
☀️
Wakes up early
✈️
Been on a plane
🍂
Likes autumn weather
🤎
Has brown hair
💃
Loves dancing
Reflection Question
What was the most surprising thing you learned about a classmate during Bingo today?
Social Spark: Icebreaker Bingo Printable Student Page
Conversation Sparkers Cards DIFFERENTIATION RESOURCE
Conversation Sparker Cards
Standard & Simplified Prompts
Cut along the dashed lines. Use these cards for Activity 2 (Cubes) or Activity 6 (Meet a Friend) .
Level 1 & 2
STANDARD 🍔
Topic: Food
"What is your favorite food to eat, and what makes it taste so good?"
Ask: "What about you?" Card 1
SIMPLIFIED 🍕
Topic: Food
"What food do you love?"
Prompt: Pizza? Hamburger? Apple?
Point or say your choice! Card 1B
STANDARD 🎨
Topic: Hobbies
"What is something you enjoy doing for fun in your spare time?"
Ask: "How do you do that?" Card 2
SIMPLIFIED ⚽
Topic: Hobbies
"What do you do for fun?"
Prompt: Sports? Art? Music? TV?
Act it out or tell a friend! Card 2B
STANDARD 🎬
Topic: Media
"What is a movie or show you could watch over and over without getting bored?"
Ask: "Who is your favorite character?" Card 3
SIMPLIFIED 📺
Topic: Media
"What movie do you love?"
Prompt: Disney? Action? Cartoons?
Name it or show a picture! Card 3B
Social Spark: Conversation Sparkers Cards Page 1 of 2
VISUAL BOARDS
Visual Communication Cards
Image-Only & Visual Choices
Use these visual cards to select your answer. Point to your choice to share with others.
Level 3 Support
WHICH PET? PETS
🐶 DOG
🐱 CAT
Point to your favorite animal partner!
WHICH SNACK? SNACKS
🍩 SWEET
🍿 SALTY
Point to the snack style you love most!
WHICH PLACE? PLACES
🏖️ BEACH
🏔️ MOUNTAINS
Point to your favorite getaway spot!
WHICH DINNER? FOOD
🍕 PIZZA
🌮 TACO
Point to your ultimate favorite meal!
WHICH WEATHER? WEATHER
☀️ SUMMER
❄️ WINTER
Point to the season you like best!
WHICH FUN? HOBBY
🎮 GAMING
🎨 ART
Point to your favorite fun thing to do!
Social Spark: Conversation Sparkers Cards Page 2 of 2