1. Tree of Life Westport Middle School Advisory
exercise-reclaiming-identity-direction-life- story/
Adapted from a unit by Dr. Elizabeth Best

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.