Group Word Cloud
Suggested Group(s): Young/Middle/Teen
Purpose: To show commonalities in feelings, thoughts, and emotions among group members
Task/need: Group Building
Activity Setup Ideas:
- Acknowledge that we all have unique but sometimes similar thoughts, feelings, and emotions
Materials:
- One IPad
- CloudArt app, TagCloud app, similar app
Description: This activity creates a visual image using words provided by the children/teens. The more frequently specific words are used, the larger the word will appear in the final image that is produced by the app. By having all the children/teens answer the same question, commonalties will be visually apparent.
This can be completed as a group activity or individually. If created individually, encourage everyone to discuss their word clouds with the group.
Activity Wrap Up Ideas:
- Review the image created and discuss
- Discuss any common themes or words
- Reinforce the reality that, though everybody's circumstances are unique, they are experiencing common feelings or realities.
Suggestions: Questions can vary and cover a range of topics:
- Sample Question: "How do you feel when you think about your loved one?"
- Have them write down 3 to 5 words on a piece of paper.
- Pass the IPad around and have them write the words they wrote on the piece of paper in the field where words are to be typed. Remind them that as they look at the IPad, they may notice the same words they wrote and they should still type the words they came up with.
- Once everyone in the group has typed out their words, generate the tag cloud and discuss as a group.
Other Question: (do the same as above with each question):
- Describe grief in one word.
- How did you feel before the death?
- How did you feel immediately after the death?
- What was the first day back to school like?
- What are helpful or hurtful things others said to you after the death?
