Feelings Barometer
Suggested Group(s): Young/Middle/Teen
Purpose: To begin to explore different feelings, both 'positive' and 'negative' and make a barometer to express some of their own feelings
Task/need: Approaching the pain of the loss
Activity Setup Ideas:
- Talk to the kids about coming to the Caring Place.
- Ask them to consider how they were feeling when they found out that they were coming and how they feel now.
- Brainstorm about feelings either on the whiteboard or by creating a feelings wall.
- Talk about what a 'barometer' is and does. Talk about how it may help to show how one is feeling when you don’t want to talk.
Materials:
- Markers/Pens
- Rulers or other straight edge
- Poster board or foam board or Styrofoam plate
- Poster board or foam material to make arrow
- Metal paper fasteners
Description: Talk a little bit about all of the different feelings and then have the group members figure out which feelings they want to use. Begin constructing the barometer that will hold their feelings.
- Create the face if not already cut.
- Draw "wedges" based upon the number of feelings that the person wants to include.
- Make an arrow to use to point to the different wedges of the barometer.
- Poke a hole in the middle of the circle and in the arrow.
- Feed a fastener through the holes and attach to the back — be sure not to make it too tight that the arrow can't be turned.
Once the barometer has been constructed, have the children add the feelings and decorate each wedge if they wish.
Activity Wrap Up Ideas:
- Allow the group members to share their barometers and discuss any similarities or differences between what feelings individuals included on their wheels.
- Ask how they might want to use their feelings barometer.
Suggestions: If metal fasteners are not available, buttons and pipe cleaners can be used to hold the arrow in place.
This activity can also be used in an orientation without getting into the feelings related to grief.
It can be interesting to make the wedges different sizes as the child/teen chooses. Ask what meaning they give to the different sizes for different feelings.
