Personal Artifacts

Rationale: The purpose of this activity is to provide a forum for participants to choose something of significance to share with the whole group. Participants are encouraged to select items which help to define or describe who they are. The artifact activity promotes the development of trust and understanding among participants.

Requirements:

Materials: discussion questions (for facilitator only); personal artifacts to be brought to workshop from home by participants.

Time: 30-60 minutes, depending on the number of participants

Space: room for chairs in a circle

Number of participants: up to 50, although no more than 20 should share individually in front of the whole group. If the group is larger, it should be divided in half, or participants should share their artifacts in pairs, triads or quads before the whole group processes the activity

Age level: all levels, elementary students to adults. Works very well with adults.

Directions:

1. Ask participants to bring to the workshop one personal possession which helps to define or describe that person's identity.
2. Everyone should talk. But if the group is very large, the sharing will be too long: Consider dividing large groups in half.
3. If someone forgets to bring an item, ask what he or she meant to bring. (Explore the connection between "forgetting" the item and possible fear about sharing the artifact.)
4. Make sure you make the connection between some "ethnic" artifacts and the danger of trivializing culture through costumes, foods, artifacts, etc.
5. Be sensitive about the personal nature of some of the sharing; some participants are more willing than others to take risks.
6. Go around the room so that everyone has a chance to talk, and ask questions to promote sharing and discussion.

Discussion Questions:

1. Did anyone have a hard time choosing an artifact? Why do you think that might have been? What other items were in contention for being chosen?
2. Did anyone have any hesitations about bringing in his/her personal artifact? Why do you think that might have been?
3. How did you feel about sharing your artifact?
4. Were you concerned about what people might think about you after they learned about your personal artifact?
5. Did anyone learn anything about him/herself in the process of selecting an item to bring to the workshop?
6. What is the purpose of this activity?