Objectives: To hold a meeting for introductions and discussions of who each person is, as an individual and as a member of a group. Emphasize creating things that represent each person's life story.
Materials: Lunch-size paper bags, scissors, old magazines, construction paper, colored pens, glue, instant-print camera and film, large sheet of butcher paper.
Introduction Games: See the "Games" article in this handbook.
Activity: Take instant-print pictures of people as they arrive and post them on the butcher paper. Next to their pictures have people write their names and their favorite something (such as favorite candy bar, food, TV show, musician, place, or pet).
Activity: Life in a Paper Bag. Give each person a lunch sack and a pair of scissors. Seat the group so that the stack of magazines, construction paper, pens, and glue are in the center of the work space. (If a large table is not available, the floor will do nicely.) Next, tell everyone that the bag is who they are and they are to put on the outside whatever they wish to say about themselves that they are willing to share with the group. On the inside, they are to put their more secret selves, the parts that are not so easy to share with new friends. Be sure everyone knows that these are for their own expression and they will only share one thing from the inside of the bag with one other person after they are through. Anything goes, as far as what can be cut out, drawn, glued, and colored.
After the group finishes creating "Life in a Paper Bag," break into pairs and share one item from the inside of the bag. Allow some time for this and then get back together as a group to discuss the feelings about sharing with new people.
