1)   Have students brainstorm a list of bad news…unfortunate personal events that might have transpired, which they will have to inform someone of. The more awkward, the better. And ideally, they will have been an actual agent in the events they imagine.

Some examples might be:

·         Those lottery numbers you gave me to play won, but I forgot to play them.

·         I started up a conversation with that girl you like to try and push her towards you, but ended up walking her home where she kissed me.

·         I pawned your diamond necklace to place a bet on a horse race after I got a tip that it would be a sure thing, but then lost.

2)   Go around the room and have each student give you, the teacher the bad news. You should react and respond dramatically, drawing them into detailed explanations and promises, apologies, etc.