"For Man is as a Tree in a Field"

Activities - Full Sessions

Concepts of Quality of Environment

In order to run the activities below successfully, you will need to prepare a wall exhibition reflecting the essential elements of the discussion, which can be used to conclude the series.

Synopsis

A slide trigger exercise to raise discussion

Aims

Association of visual images with reality in any particular community Explore the realities of a particular community in relation to concepts

Suitability:

Teenagers

Materials:

Slides with definitions and illustrations of 7 concepts [see below], strips of Bristol paper (each sheet to be divided into seven), crayons, pencils, felt tip pens.

Slides - Use two or three which show each of the following:
habitat, society, quality of the environment, ecological balance, depletion of resources, open garbage dumps, recycling;
make title slides using transparencies, cut to fit slide frames or full size in parallel projection on the screen.

Preparation:

1. Prepare strips of Bristol paper for each of the participants.
2. Distribute available materials to the participants.
3. Arrange the slides etc. in numerical order, prepare projector(s), screen.

Procedure

1. Each participant writes the numbers 1-7 on his/her strip of Bristol paper, going from left to right, making squares.
2. Screen each group of slides for 3 minutes. The participants have to react to a concept concerning a forest, by drawing or writing something in the square with a number corresponding to the numbers of the slides. For instance:
   Habitat - They can draw a forest environment and conditions.
   They can write - "My forest needs a lot of sun in order to grow."
   At the end of 3 minutes show the next group of slides.
3. The forest now takes on the characteristics of the Jewish community: Each participant writes under each square the description that he/she considers apt for a Jewish community. For instance: "My forest needs a lot of sun in order to grow." "The Jewish community needs Divine grace in order to develop."
4. Hang the strips of paper underneath each other in order to form a cross -section of concepts. Title each column of concepts.
5. Hold a discussion on:
   • The Jewish community in relation to the different concepts.
   • Procedure: concept - art work - analogy - cross-section of concepts - grouping of comparisons.
     In what way did the procedure contribute to comprehension of the concepts?
     What contribution did the procedure make to the attitude toward the Jewish community?
     What difficulties did participants encounter?
     What did they enjoy?
     What is the place of the individual's perception and of the group's perception in an exhibition using this method?

Taken from: Magdir Echut Haseviva (Defining Quality of the Environment), Hagit Maor, Aaher Meor Press, 1993, Tel Aviv, pp. 12, 13, 30, 57, 81, 127, 136.