# My Other Half Participants receive matching halves of known pairs or concepts, mingle to locate their counterpart, and form working duos or trios for an upcoming task. **Time:** 10 minutes. UWT suggested duration (5 to 10 minutes fits 4 to 24 participants). **People:** 4 to 24. Mingle as individuals, then assemble into pairs (or one trio if the total head count is odd). ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Form random or semi-random collaborative pairs without relying on habitual seating or social cliques. **Use it when:** Use before a collaborative discussion, peer-review session, or workshop task to scramble standard seating patterns quickly. **Skip it when:** Skip when groups must be formed based on fixed specialized roles, preexisting project teams, or when quiet independent work is needed. ## Materials and tools - Pre-cut matching cards (one card per participant, prepared in advance) - Optional digital matching spreadsheet or direct-message roster for remote participants ## Before participants arrive 1. Count the exact number of attendees present. 2. Select matching pairs of cards equal to half the attendee count. If the head count is odd, include one pre-planned trio set (such as Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato). 3. Shuffle the prepared cards thoroughly. ## Say this to open Take one card as I pass them around. Keep your card visible. In a moment, you will stand, move around the room, and speak to others to find the specific item or concept that pairs with yours. Once you find your match, sit together as partners for our next activity. ## How to run it ### 1. Distribute cards (2 minutes) Hand one card face down to each participant. If attendance is odd, ensure the pre-selected three-part set is in the active deck. Instruct participants to flip their cards over simultaneously. ### 2. Mingle and match (4 minutes) Participants move through the space asking questions or showing their cards to find their logical counterpart. For example, a participant holding 'Peanut Butter' looks for 'Jelly.' If someone holds a trio card, they look for both related members. ### 3. Confirm pairings and take seats (2 minutes) As partners find each other, they verify their link, find an empty pair of seats, and sit down together. Facilitator assists anyone remaining unmatched to complete their pair or trio. ### 4. Transition check (2 minutes) Facilitator conducts a quick roll call where two or three pairs announce their matching words to verify everyone has a partner before beginning the primary working session. ## Debrief questions - How did searching for your match change the energy in the room compared to sitting in your original seats? - What is one quick detail you learned about your partner during the pairing process? **Finished output:** Every participant is assigned to a verified working pair or trio ready to start a collaborative task. ## Remote Assign matching terms via private direct message or use an interactive whiteboard with covered sticky notes. Participants review their term, enter a shared breakout room or speak aloud in main session to locate their match, then rename themselves with their partner's name or move into designated pair breakout rooms. ## Hybrid Keep in-person participants matching with in-person cards, and remote participants matching via digital chat. Do not mix remote and in-person partners unless every desk has a dedicated video terminal and headset. ## Access and participation choices - Participants with limited mobility can remain seated and hold their card up while standing participants circulate. - Anyone who prefers not to circulate may request the facilitator deliver their matching card directly to them without public explanation. ## If the session gets stuck **An odd number of participants leaves one person without a partner.** Swap in a pre-made trio set (such as Sun, Moon, Stars) so three people share a group, or invite the extra person to co-facilitate the timer. **Participants do not recognize the cultural reference on their card.** Use universally plain functional pairings (like Lock and Key, Fork and Knife, Question and Answer) rather than pop-culture references. ## Terms used here - Trio set: A group of three cards that naturally belong together, used to accommodate an odd head count without leaving anyone excluded. ## Participant material: Standard Pair Deck (Print and Cut) Pair 1: Salt | Pepper Pair 2: Lock | Key Pair 3: Bread | Butter Pair 4: Pen | Paper Pair 5: Cup | Saucer Pair 6: Needle | Thread Pair 7: Bow | Arrow Pair 8: Lightning | Thunder Pair 9: Shoes | Socks Pair 10: Moon | Stars Pair 11: Hammer | Nail Pair 12: Question | Answer Trio Backup: Bacon | Lettuce | Tomato ## Sources and adaptation Observed in The Teacher Toolkit (theteachertoolkit.com) as a classroom partnering technique. Retained the original card-matching pairing mechanic and odd-number trio guidance from The Teacher Toolkit. Added explicit facilitator setup steps, standardized universal vocabulary cards, access adjustments, and step-by-step group sizing controls. [The Teacher Toolkit](https://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/print-tool/my-other-half) [The Teacher Toolkit](https://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/my-other-half) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/my-other-half-the-teacher-toolkit/