Manner of the Adverb

Name and Purpose

• Manner of the Adverb is a dramatic guessing game that builds vocabulary, creativity, and playful performance confidence.
• Players practise expressive movement, active listening, and collaborative storytelling.

a.k.a.

• Action Adverb, The Adverb Game, Adverb Detective

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 15-25 minutes | Indoor or outdoor area with open space for movement

Materials

• No materials required.
• Optional: a card with a list of fun adverbs (slowly, nervously, triumphantly, sneakily) for groups who need prompts.

Quick-Run Card

1. Two volunteer guessers step just outside the group or cover their ears.
2. The group quietly agrees on a secret adverb.
3. Guessers return and call on players to perform everyday actions in the manner of the adverb.
4. Guessers make as many guesses as they like; actors offer hints if guessers are stuck.
5. When the adverb is named, new guessers are chosen and the round resets.

Setup and Boundaries

• Clear a small performance area in the centre of the group.
• Signal: one clap from staff means pause; two claps means gather attention.
• Remind players before starting that all performances are kind and creative, not mocking.

How to Play

1. Two players volunteer to be Guessers. They step to the edge of the space or cover their ears while the group chooses an adverb.
2. The group quietly agrees on an adverb. Staff can offer suggestions if the group is stuck.
3. Guessers return. They call on any player and ask them to do an everyday action in the manner of the adverb. Examples: Comb your hair in the manner of the adverb. Dance with a partner in the manner of the adverb.
4. Guessers can ask for as many demonstrations as they need. Anyone who is asked to perform may choose a different player to go instead, or decline and nominate themselves for a quieter role.
5. Actors may offer gentle hints when the guessers need help.
6. When the adverb is correctly named, the group applauds, then new Guessers are chosen for the next round.

I-OPt Options

Start:

• A (Active): Volunteer as a Guesser or performer.
• S (Support): Help the group brainstorm a good adverb.
• Q (Quiet): Suggest an adverb in a whisper to staff.
• O (Observer): Watch the first round and decide when to join.

Mid:

• A (Active): Perform dramatic, expressive actions when called on.
• S (Support): Offer a subtle hint to the guessers if they are stuck.
• Q (Quiet): Perform with small, subtle movements if called on.
• O (Observer): Continue watching; join when ready.

Late:

• A (Active): Take a turn as a Guesser.
• S (Support): Help celebrate correct guesses and keep energy positive.
• Q (Quiet): Nod along and affirm performers.
• O (Observer): Share a favourite performance moment in the debrief.

End:

• A (Active): Suggest the next adverb for a bonus round.
• S (Support): Lead a round of applause for the whole group.
• Q (Quiet): Reflect silently on the most creative performance.
• O (Observer): Share one word that describes what you saw.

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who prefer not to perform can take the role of Adverb Keeper, writing or whispering the adverb to the group without performing.
• For players with mobility considerations, all actions can be performed seated or with small hand-and-face movements only.

Stewardship Moment

• No materials to dispose of. The only resource used is imagination.
• Reflection: This game costs nothing and leaves nothing behind. That is the lightest footprint a game can have.

Consent

• Pre-brief: This game involves performing simple actions in front of the group. For those who prefer not to perform, there are roles as Adverb Keeper, hint-giver, or appreciative audience. All roles matter equally.
• Mid-game check: After one full round, pause and check in. Thumbs up, sideways, or down. How is everyone feeling?
• Opt-out and re-entry: Any player called on to perform may redirect to another willing player or step into a quieter role. Rejoining is always open.

Risks and Mitigation

• A Guesser is stumped for a long time: encourage actors to offer increasingly obvious hints until the adverb is guessed.
• A player is embarrassed by being called on: reinforce the redirect option before the game starts.
• Adverbs become too obscure for the group: staff keep a list of approachable adverbs handy as backups.

Warm-Up Suggestions

• Mirror Game: pairs mirror each other’s slow movements to build expressive awareness.
• Emotion Statues: call out a word (excited, nervous, curious) and players freeze in a pose that fits.

Debrief Questions

• What? Which performance gave away the adverb most clearly?
• So What? What did it feel like to perform in front of the group?
• Now What? How does the way you do something change how people understand you?

Cleanup and Reset

• No materials to collect.
• Return any furniture moved during setup.