Potent Poetry

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Synthesize and express shared learning from a training module into a tangible summary poem.

Use it when: Use at the conclusion of a training session or content module when participants need an active review format to consolidate concepts.

Skip it when: Skip during introductory fact-finding or compliance briefings where verbatim technical precision is required over metaphorical expression.

Group arrangement: Teams of 4 or 5 participants. For group sizes with remainders, create teams of 3 to 5 (for example, 7 splits into 4 and 3; 11 splits into 4, 4, and 3; 23 splits into three 5s and two 4s). This yields between 1 and 6 teams total.

Timing: UWT suggested 20-minute timeline based on Sonia Ribaux's review format in Play For Performance (June 2005)

Materials and tools

• One pre-printed deck of roughly 200 word cards per team containing nouns, verbs, adjectives, connecting words, and topic terms (from printable deck text)
• One sheet of dark construction paper or a clear table workspace per team
• Blank index cards (5 to 10 per table)
• 1 felt-tip marker per table

Before participants arrive

1. Print and cut one set of word cards per team using the category distribution in participant materials.
2. Place one shuffled card deck, blank cards, one marker, and one sheet of construction paper at each team table before the session starts.

Say this to open

You have a deck of word cards on your table containing verbs, nouns, descriptors, and key terms from our topic. Working with your team, select and arrange these cards into a brief poem that captures a central insight from what we studied. Every voice shapes the final composition.

How to run it

1. Organize teams and explore words 4 minutes

   Group participants into teams of 4 or 5 (or 3 if numbers require). Deliver the opening script. Direct each team to spread their cards out on the table. Have members review the words together and pull out terms that relate to key lessons from today's content.

2. Compose summary poem 7 minutes

   Teams collaborate to construct a poem of 3 to 8 lines. Arrange the physical cards on the paper or table surface. Teams may adjust line breaks and swap words freely. If a critical technical term is missing, teams may write up to 3 custom words on blank cards.

3. Read poems aloud 6 minutes

   Each team selects a reader or shares lines across members. In turn, each team reads its poem aloud to the full room without interruption. With up to 6 teams, each reading takes up to 1 minute.

4. Debrief and explain meaning 3 minutes

   Invite each team to share a 30-second comment explaining why they selected their key images and how the poem reflects their practical takeaways. Facilitate whole-room reflection using the debrief questions.

Debrief questions

• Which specific words did your team prioritize to capture the main lesson, and why?
• How did the physical constraint of pre-printed words change how you summarized the topic?
• What common themes appeared across the different poems read today?

Finished output: A physical or digital card arrangement forming a 3- to 8-line poem summarizing module takeaways.

Remote

Set up a shared digital whiteboard with movable text blocks corresponding to the card list. Assign participants to breakout rooms of 3 to 5. Each group moves word boxes into their designated workspace to compose their poem, then returns to the main room to recite it while screen sharing.

Hybrid

Form fully remote breakout teams alongside in-person table teams. Remote teams use a digital whiteboard while in-person teams use physical cards. When presenting, remote teams share screen while in-person teams display their arranged sheet to the room camera.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may choose whether to physically sort cards, dictate ideas, or act as the team reader.
• Any participant may pass on reading aloud and contribute solely to word selection.

If the session gets stuck

Teams get stuck trying to create traditional rhyming poetry.

Remind participants that free verse without rhyme or strict meter works best.

A team feels constrained by lack of specific technical terminology.

Allow them to write up to 3 custom words on blank cards to complete their thought.

Terms used here

• Magnetic Poetry format: A method of composing text using isolated pre-printed word tiles or cards