Session: 1. Sharing perceptions of the training program: An ice breaker
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Objectives:
* To get to know one another and to encourage communication
*
To set the climate for active participation during the training program
Resources: Attachment 1-A, "Coat of Arms''
Materials: Pens or pencils
|
Trainer Notes
An alternative activity for getting acquainted goes as follows:
* Convene the group in the blacksmith workshop area.
* Ask participants to browse around for a moment and find a tool
or object which they would like to make, and which symbolizes something about
their
- personality/character
- work
- background
-
aspirations
- etc.
* The trainer should also choose an appropriate object.
* When everyone has made a selection and has had a few moments
to reflect, introduce yourself and explain why you selected your object (using
humor to help create a relaxed climate).
* Then, moving around the shop, have the participants introduce
themselves and share their reasons for selecting their particular tool. |
Procedures:
Step 1. (5 minutes)
Distribute copies of Attachment 1A, "Coat
of Arms" and explain the exercise.
|
Trainer Notes
* Explain that the object of the exercise is to draw a symbolic
"coat of arms" which will help us begin to get acquainted or find out something
new about each other.
* Explain that the participants will draw a symbol or picture in
each of the corresponding spaces on the coat of arms that answers one of a
series of questions. |
Step 2. (15 minutes)
Referring to the list in the Trainer
Notes below, read each question in order, allowing time for people to draw their
symbol before moving to the next question.
|
Trainer Notes
* Suggested questions:
- How do you feel right now?
- What were you doing a week ago
today?
- What do you hope to get out of this training?
- What can you
offer this training?
* Draw your-own "coat of arms" while the group does theirs.
|
Step 3. (5 minutes)
After everyone has finished drawing
his/her coat of arms, share your coat of arms by explaining the meaning of each
of your four drawings.
|
Trainer Notes
Encourage an open climate by explaining your drawings in a
relaxed and humorous manner. Also, make your presentation brief to set the pace
of the activity. |
Step 4. (30-45 minutes) Have each participant explain the
meaning of his/her coat of arms.
Step 5. (5 minutes) After all of the drawings have been
presented, facilitate a brief discussion of some of the similarities and
differences which seem to exist in the group.
Attachment 1-A
Coat of
arms
