In this twenty-minute activity, students partner to answer one question and listen to their partner's response to the same question. In this way, teachers structure a short conversation that can build community and strengthen students' ability to listen and share.

The idea is that mutual vulnerability fosters closeness. To quote Aron et al, “One key pattern associated with the development of a close relationship among peers is sustained, escalating, reciprocal, personal self-disclosure.” Allowing oneself to be vulnerable with another person can be hard, so this activity supports students in very concrete ways.” Natalie Croney