Contents

K.1. Preamble

Games
K.2. Draw Body on Brown Paper
K.3. Road Map

Preamble

People need to reflect on their values, goals and personal stories, or histories, but this self-evaluation is essentially a private process, which proceeds at different paces in different individuals and can therefore be threatening, if pushed too far.On the other hand, in a developing group, self-evaluation is an essential part of the process, even when it does not happen spontaneously. It is used to help, the individuals in the group catch up with changes and self discovery first and foremost – as well as with each other. It is therefore vitally important that the educator or leader should allow adequate opportunities for this in any deelopmental educational setting - but these particular programs should be led only by experienced moderators.
Often, some simple exercises, or games, are all that are required to enable participants to identify the changes they are experiencing. Here are a few activities to help individuals deal with these issues in a group framework, with the focus on the individual. Two techniques are offered here to "take stock", share and move on...

K.2. Draw Body on Brown Paper

An experienced moderator should be responsible for running this exercise. It is initially very private, but also helps people to get to know one another on a more than superficial level and will develop a group sense.
This game is good for a group who will be spending 3-4 weeks, or longer, in one place, e.g.., kibbutz, a camp. This game can later be repeated weekly, before another activity, allowing 30 minutes each time.
Recommended as an evening program activity, with a relaxed atmosphere, soft music and lighting.

All participants receive a 2 meter (or longer) sheet of brown packing paper and are asked to pair up with a friend, so that they can trace each other’s body outline on a sheet of brown packing paper. (This is done by having the participant lie down on the floor while his or her partner traces his or her body outline on the paper.)
Put on soft music and supply crayons. Ask the participants to draw into the outline their feelings and experiences.
The moderator goes around the room and asks each person explain what s/he drew (without feedback).

Variation:
Participants draw their outlines and fill them in weekly, but explain their drawings
only in the first and last session.

K.3. Road Map

An experienced moderator should be responsible for running this exercise, as there will be private moments and shared ones which might be sensitive.
A large sheet of paper per person and pencil, or felt-tip pen, are required.

Each person is asked to make a road map of his or her life so far, beginning with birth and extending to the present. Each map should somehow show the good places (either scenic, or open road) or the bad places (bumpy spots, etc.), hospital (road works, etc.). Participants shoud also include barriers, detours, and the general direction of their present course.

Each participant then compares his or her life’s past course with an imagined future, i.e., goals, etc.
- What are these goals
- How will they be achieved?
- What has made the good spots?
The moderator goes around the room and asks each person explain what s/he drew (without feedback).

Variations:

1. Participants may extend the road map into the future (conjecture, daydreams)
2. They may construct lists of positive and negative problems and events, for which they will need to decide on points system, to help them evaluate their life.
3. The group can role play passing detours, etc.

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