Activity Expectations
The teacher says, "Let's go around the room and quickly introduce ourselves." Do you:
(a) Give a quick "snapshot" (say your name and 1 quick fact)
(b) Share an "album" (share your life story)
a) Give a quick "snapshot" (say your name and 1 quick fact)
Is saying, "I love baseball, especially the San Francisco Giants" a Snapshot or an Album?
A Snapshot (perfect for a quick introduction).
True or False: "Passing the mic" means you have to physically hand a real microphone to the next person.
False. (It is a figure of speech! "Passing the mic" just means finishing your thought and letting the group know it is the next person's turn to speak.)
True or False: Keeping your introduction brief means you are being boring or hiding your personality.
False. It means you are respecting the group's shared time and choosing to keep your deeper personal details safe and private.
You are at a bank teller window to deposit a check. Should you share a quick snapshot (state what you need) or the whole album (share a story)?
Share a quick snapshot (state what you need)
"I need to deposit this check"
Snapshot or Album? "I got a new cat last month named Leo. He is a tabby, and he likes to sleep on my keyboard while I am trying to play video games."
Snapshot. It is a quick, fun preview of a pet. It takes about 10 seconds to say, giving the listener a clear picture without taking up too much time on the "Shared Stage." It is perfect for a quick thing to share during a class check-in or a casual conversation.
You are sharing in a group. Which of the following is a visual cue that it is time to "pass the mic" to the next person?
A) The instructor is looking at the next person or checking the clock.
B) Classmates are shifting in their seats or looking around.
C) You have been speaking for more than 4 or 5 sentences.
D) All of the above.
D) All of the above.
Why is keeping some information private actually a way of protecting yourself?
Because your personal story is valuable. Sharing "The Album" with strangers in a classroom can leave you feeling vulnerable or misunderstood later.
You are on a first date at a restaurant. How much of the "stage" should you take up?
(a) I should talk a lot more than the other person
(b) I should stay quiet so they can do most of the talking
(c) I should try to share the stage 50/50, so we are both going back-and-forth in our conversation
(c) I should try to share the stage 50/50, so we are both going back-and-forth in our conversation
Snapshot or Album? "I watched the new season of my favorite show this weekend. I’ve actually watched the whole series three times now. The main character is played by my favorite actor, and in the first season, there is a major plot twist where his best friend turns out to be the villain, which completely changes the timeline, and then in season two..."
Album. This statement goes into deep, lengthy detail about a specific interest. While this is great to share during a long lunch hangout with a friend, it is too detailed and time-consuming for a quick group check-in where others are waiting for their turn to speak.
If you speak at a relaxed pace or need extra time to think, what is a helpful way to prepare for a quick class introduction?
A) Don't say anything at all and skip your turn.
B) Write down 2 bullet points on an index card, in your AAC, or on your phone before your turn so you can read/play a quick, pre-planned Snapshot.
C) Try to tell your entire life story as fast as possible.
B) Write down 2 bullet points on an index card, in your AAC, or on your phone before your turn so you can read/play a quick, pre-planned Snapshot.
If you notice you took up a lot of time in class and want to adjust next time, is that a sign of "failure"?
No. It is just data! It is a learning moment to help you practice pacing and sharing the stage next time.
Why is sharing your life story during a class introduction a mismatch for the setting?
(a) It's not a mismatch. It's appropriate to share a long lengthy story during a class introduction.
(b) The expectation is a quick introduction. Deep personal history requires more time and emotional processing than classmates and teachers can do during a fast-paced activity.
(b) The expectation is a quick introduction. Deep personal history requires more time and emotional processing than classmates and teachers can do during a fast-paced activity.
If you have a really cool, detailed story about your favorite topic, when is the best time to share "The Album" version?
During a 1-on-1 conversation, free time, social/hangout time, or when presenting an essay or special project on the topic.
Which of these is a polite phrase you can use to signal that you are finished speaking and are ready to pass the stage to the next person?
A) "...and that's a bit about me! I'll pass it over to Phoenix."
B) "I'm done."
C) Just stop talking suddenly and look at the floor.
A) "...and that's a bit about me! I'll pass it over to Phoenix."
How does keeping your sharing to a "Snapshot" during structured lessons support your classmates' processing and sensory needs?
A) It keeps the information load manageable, making it easier for classmates to focus on, process, and remember what you shared.
B) It forces them to guess the rest of your story, which keeps them guessing.
C) It prevents them from learning anything about you at all.
A) It keeps the information load manageable, making it easier for classmates to focus on, process, and remember what you shared.
Bonus Question: What if I share a quick snapshot but then someone asks me questions and wants me to share more?
You can and should share more, as long as you want to! You can answer their questions and continue to go into greater detail. However, try to read the room and ask them some questions too.