Transcript Tree of Life - Westport ​Middle School

Westport Middle School
Advisory
http://nathanbweller.com/tree-life-simpleexercise-reclaiming-identity-direction-lifestory/
Adapted from a unit by Dr. Elizabeth Best
 A tree represents your life
and your past, present, and
future.
 We are going to draw our
own trees and label the
different parts of our trees
with the different parts of
our lives and our histories.
 Start at the bottom of the page and draw the roots.
 Write down where you come from on the roots.
 This can be your home town, state, country, etc.
 This can also be the culture you grew up in, a club or
organization that shaped your youth, or a
parent/guardian.
 Next, draw the ground around your tree.
 Write down the things you choose to do on a weekly
basis on the ground.
 These should not be things you are forced to do, but
rather things you have chosen to do for yourself.
Video Game Club
Skating Rink
Youth Group
Write Poetry
 Draw the trunk of your tree coming up from the
roots.
 Write your skills and values on the trunk.
 What are your talents? What things do you care about?
Skills:
Singing
Good friend
Funny
Values:
Honesty
Loyalty
Respect
 Now draw the branches coming up out of the
trunk
 Write down your hopes, dreams, and wishes on the
branches. Think both long and short term. Spread
them around the various branches.
 Draw leaves attached to your branches.
 Write down the names of those who are significant to
you in a positive way.
 Your friends, family, pets, heroes, etc.
 Loved ones you have lost can be leaves that have fallen
off of the tree.
Joey
 Now you will draw flowers and seeds next to your
tree.
 Write down how you want others to describe you.
Kind
Honest
Friendly
 Next, draw fruit on your tree.
 The fruits represent the gifts you have given and
received from others.
A
home
to live
in
Love, to
my
family
 You can now draw animals surrounding your tree.
 The animals represent caregivers, guardians, or people
who have helped you along the way.
My big brother
My Aunt
Susan
 Write a letter to anyone mentioned in your roots or
leaves who deserves more gratitude than has been
given to them.
 The letters may be posted or hand-delivered.
OR
 Write an autobiography based on your tree. Start from
your roots and make your way up the tree.