Tree of Life Westport Middle School Advisory http://nathanbweller.com/tree-life-simple- exercise-reclaiming-identity-direction-life- story/ Adapted from a unit by Dr. Elizabeth Best

The Tree of Life Concept 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.

Drawing Your Tree: The Roots 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. Grandma Boys and Girls Club Louisville

Drawing Your Tree: The Ground 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. Youth Group Video Game Club Skating Rink Write Poetry

Drawing Your Tree: The Trunk 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

Drawing Your Tree: The Branches 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. Get a good job Make my mom proud Have a family of my own Go to college Scholarship

Drawing Your Tree: The Leaves 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. Rachel, my sister Joey

Drawing Your Tree: The Flowers and Seeds Now you will draw flowers and seeds next to your tree. Write down how you want others to describe you. Kind Honest Friendly

Drawing Your Tree: Fruits Next, draw fruit on your tree. The fruits represent the gifts you have given and received from others. Love, to my family A home to live in

Drawing Your Tree: Animals Surrounding Your Tree 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 Grandmother My Aunt Susan

Culminating Activity 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.