Maître D’

Engaging Strategy
An engaging strategy guides participants to explain or apply ideas, elaborate on their thought processes, listen to each other and build upon the ideas of others, and reflect on and process what they are learning.
Description

Acting as a maître d’, the facilitator calls participants to form “tables” where they “dine” (exchange ideas) with a changing number of tablemates. The facilitator invites participants to imagine that they are at a restaurant where during each “course” they discuss a new prompt with a different set/number of tablemates.

When and Why

Back to top

Participants develop a sense of connectedness when sharing ideas, encourages listening to a wide range of thinking and opinions, and incorporates movement and fluid groupings. The changing number of people in each round is a novel experience that sparks curiosity and fosters renewed attention to the topic(s). Useful when a group has gotten into a predictable routine and needs to be refreshed, as well as when a group is first forming and needs to build community. 

How to Facilitate

Back to top
  1. Reflect on the current context, the demographics of participants, and the purpose of this engagement. 
  2. Prepare engaging prompts (questions, quotes, or images) that are aligned to the gathering’s purpose, content or SEL goal.
  3. Prepare the room ahead of time so that participants can move easily between tables or groups of chairs.
  4. Explain that when you, the maître d’, call a “table,” (e.g., “Table for three!”), participants must move quickly to arrange themselves into groups of that number and then begin discussing the prompt. 
  5. Let them know that to keep things moving and encourage mingling, they will only have a few minutes to talk with each at their “tables.” Remind them to pay attention to equity of voice in each round.
  6. Share the first prompt and call out, “Table for ___!” 
  7. Use your attention signal to bring the room to silence when time is up.
  8. Repeat several times, each time offering a different prompt for discussion.
  9. Debrief by asking one or more of these questions:
    • “What is something you heard about _______ that stood out to you?” 
    • “What is something about _______ that you are now wondering about?” 
    • “In what ways did your understanding of _______ deepen or change?” 
    • “What was a benefit or challenge of doing this activity?

Modification

Back to top
  • Play music as groups are formed. 
  • Keep the same prompt each time and ask the tables to carry on the conversation from their previous table group. 
  • Be transparent with the group about the primary hope/purpose for this round.
  • In a virtual environment, form random breakouts rooms of different numbers of participants for each round. Participants return to the main room after each round to hear the new prompt before being sent to a new breakout rooms with different tablemates.

How does Maître D’ support SEL?

Social Awareness/Belonging:
Participants are encouraged to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, & contexts. Facilitators create an experience of acceptance, respect, and inclusion within a group or community.

Relationship Skills/Collaborative Problem-Solving:
Participants have the opportunity to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships within the group and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups. Facilitators create an activity where participants can build a shared understanding and work together to come to solutions by pooling knowledge, skills, and efforts.
Access the latest, most trusted information on SEL
Sign up for our newsletters