Snake Eyes

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Re-examine and apply session takeaways by connecting summary statements with relational thinking stems through dice rolls.

Use it when: Use at the close of a training workshop or strategy session when participants need to review core takeaways without repeating them verbatim.

Skip it when: Skip when participants have not yet established basic concepts, or when the group lacks enough shared content to generate six coherent summary statements.

Group arrangement: Small groups of 3 to 6 participants (up to 4 teams in parallel)

Timing: Matches the 20-minute baseline suggested in the source publication.

Materials and tools

• 2 standard six-sided dice per small group (or 2 distinct dice rolled centrally by facilitator, or virtual dice roller)
• 1 flipchart pad and markers
• 1 pen and writing paper per small group for drafting and final statement submission
• Prepared display of the 6 relational catalyst stems
• Shared digital whiteboard or shared document for remote and hybrid delivery

Before participants arrive

1. Mount a flipchart sheet titled Session Summaries with numbers 1 through 6, or prepare a digital whiteboard sheet.
2. Post the 6 relational catalyst stems where all participants can clearly see them.
3. Place two six-sided dice, a pen, and writing paper at each small table.
4. Optionally draft 2 to 3 backup summary statements in advance if the group needs prompts to start.

Say this to open

We are going to review what we covered today using a game of chance called Snake Eyes. First, we will collect six summary statements from the room. Then each team will roll two dice: one die selects a thinking prompt, and the second selects one of our summary statements. Your team will write a new sentence that connects them.

How to run it

1. Collect six summary statements 5 minutes

   Speak the opening script. Ask participants to call out core learnings, rules of thumb, or summaries from the workshop. Write the first six clear, distinct contributions on the flipchart pad, numbered 1 through 6. These six statements form the foundation of the shared output. If contributions stall, offer one of your prepared backup summaries so all six slots are filled quickly.

2. Explain dice mechanics and prompt stems 2 minutes

   Point out the 6 catalyst stems: 1) Is similar to..., 2) Is the opposite of..., 3) Is a logical extension of..., 4) Is a potential problem for..., 5) Is essential for..., 6) Should be excluded from... Explain that the first die picks the catalyst stem and the second die picks the summary statement. Show a neutral example: rolling 3 and 2 means drafting a statement that is a logical extension of statement 2.

3. Roll dice and compose statements 6 minutes

   Form teams of 3 to 6, creating at most 4 teams to manage sharing time. Teams roll their two dice. Members work together to write one clear sentence on their writing paper combining the prompt stem and summary statement. The prompt phrase may appear anywhere in the sentence. Groups that finish early may roll again to compose an additional statement.

4. Compile and share statements 4 minutes

   Call on each team to read their rolled numbers and new statement aloud. Write each team's new statement directly below its matching numbered takeaway on the main flipchart or shared digital document. Collect the teams' submitted writing papers in person, or verify entries in the shared digital document for remote and hybrid teams, ensuring all derived sentences are captured.

5. Debrief session learnings 3 minutes

   Lead a brief whole-room reflection using the debrief questions. Invite 2 or 3 quick comments on how the altered statements changed perspectives on the core material.

Debrief questions

• Which catalyst stem pushed your thinking farthest beyond the original summary?
• Did any generated statement reveal an unexpected risk or limitation of our workshop advice?
• How can you apply these refined statements to your work next week?

Finished output: A compiled numbered list of six core takeaways paired with newly derived relational statements documented on the flipchart pad and in collected group notes.

Remote

Display the 6 summary statements and 6 catalysts on a shared digital whiteboard. The facilitator rolls two virtual dice in the main room or distributes dice links. Small groups meet in breakout rooms for 5 minutes to draft their statement in a shared document, then return to the main room to read them aloud while the facilitator compiles them beside the numbered takeaways.

Hybrid

In-person teams use physical dice and writing paper; remote pairs use digital dice or ask the facilitator to roll. All synthesized statements are typed into a shared document visible to both online and co-located participants, then compiled directly beneath the original takeaways before reading aloud.

Access and participation choices

• Provide high-contrast, large-print visual handouts of the 6 catalyst prompts for participants who prefer printed text over distant flipcharts.
• Any participant may contribute silently by writing or scribing for their group rather than speaking aloud.
• Teams may pass on reading aloud and let the facilitator read their written submission.

If the session gets stuck

A group struggles to construct a grammatically smooth sentence using the rolled catalyst stem.

Remind them that the catalyst phrase can sit anywhere in their sentence, as long as the underlying relationship holds true.

The group takes too long generating the initial six summary statements.

Use pre-drafted backup statements or pull direct quotes from earlier exercises to complete the list of six promptly.

Terms used here

• Catalyst phrase: A relational sentence starter or connective phrase used to stimulate new thinking about an existing idea.