Methods for the beginning 1. Clarify the participants' expectations ...

Methods for the beginning
1. Clarify the participants’ expectations
Aim: To facilitate an entry for the participants into the experiment group.
Intention
• Confrontation with the personal motivations and desires makes it possible to the
participants to enter [`magis].
• The participants are prepared to become aware that their desires, their needs and their
ideas, they can express them and that they are taken with the serious one.
• They can thus have a presentiment of the challenges which they will meet and they
thus have a first advisability of taking on them responsibility for experiment.
• The leaders for experiment can receive important information on the motivations and
longings of the participants.
Suggestion for execution 1
• The group forms a circle.
• A questionnaire is distributed.
• It is explained that the questionnaires will be gathered then
•
On the questionnaires, there are three questions (maybe in different languages):
• Why did I register with [' magis]
• What do I expect for myself
• What do I hope for the group
The participants have a few minutes to fill out the questionnaire.
Then they will break into small groups of 3 or 4 people and exchange their own answers in
connection to the three questions.
As a group, the leader gathers the first impressions of the group. One should make sure that
useless repetitions are avoided, because the necessary translations would be overly tedious to
the group.
Suggestion for execution 2
• The group forms a circle.
• The questionnaire is distributed (like before).
The participants go directly with the questionnaires in the sub-groups (of 3 or 4 people), to
talk on the subject. Each sub-group receives a poster and a marker in order to note and to
visualize their answers.
During the meeting group meeting, each group is able to present its ideas on the poster.
Duration
Ca. 30 Minutes.
Material
Suggestion 1: questionnaires, pencils

Suggestion 2: questionnaires, markers, poster board
Preparation
Prepare the questionnaires
2. Get to know each other
It is necessary to include/understand the selection which follows like an incentive. The
various exercises can be varied according to needs' for the group. The order of presentation
according to is only one proposal.
Biography of group - sociometric geographical chart
Topic
To get to know each other, verbal and not-verbal communication.
Intention
The members of the group grow rich mutually by general information such as the source, the
age, the centers of interest etc. For the organizers, that makes it possible to locate those which
are insulated.
How it is done:
The group forms a circle, one meets upright.
The organizer indicates the four cardinal points (North, Southern etc...) and on the ground the
city where currently the group is. It asks each one to position as well on a geographical chart
as in the pièce/dehors while following the criteria given :
• according to the birthplace
• according to the countries in which the people are originating
• another criteria
B The organizer indicates two extreme points in two opposite corners of parts (for example a
corner: single child, the other corner: many brothers and sisters). The organizer then requires
of the participants to position according to their case.
Other possibilities of questions:
• according to the number of foreign languages that the individuals know
• according to the size of the shoes (to place itself without speaking on a line)
• according to the month of the date of birth (to place itself without speaking on
a line)
• another criteria
The group can propose itself of other alternatives.
Each time all the group positioned, one asks each one why it was placed where it is and it
communicates it to all the group.
Duration
Max. 25 min.
Material

For a execution in the open air: small objects (for example of the stones, branches etc), to
indicate the cardinal points and the city where the group is.
Preparation
None.
Purpose
They are important that the organizer indicates the marks clearly, particularly when it is to get
to know each other, because they require a geographical positioning. Each positioning is
briefly explained - the organizer raises questions and possibly summarizes - so that each one
learns how indeed to know something of the others. It is always necessary to question each
participant. All must take part, also the team of organizers, as far as possible. The other
members of the management team of experiment must observe as much as possible and take
note (while keeping the supervision). The group must enter a discussion in order to solve the
task; unless the task must be carried out on the not-verbal mode. Not to be frightened and not
to give up, if the group appears to be slow or if it has problems of comprehension. Simply to
continue to guide. This exercise is appropriate for any age!
It can undoubtedly be useful to try out this exercise in your circle of friends, in order to
measure the originality of it.
3. Names and gestures
Topic
To get to know each other, to get themselves moving, to feel its own body.
Intention
The members of the group take note of the names of the others and try to follow.
How it is done:
The group is upright in circle. The organizer starts, it says its name clearly and
geste/mouvement does at the same time one, which should correspond to
• its state of mind
• its temperament
• its trade
• its origin
• its hobby
(for example to curve themselves deeply, imitate the play of pianist etc.)
All repeat at the same time the name and remake the gesture.
Duration
Approximately 10 min.
Material
None
Preparation
None
Purpose

All can occur in an alive and merry way (the organizer must give the example). One needs a
of course little imagination, but not is not need for talents of actors. What counts, be to act it
spontaneous !
4. Names and associations
Topic
To get to know each other.
Intention
Individually to emphasize the names of the people. Thus the participants come into closer
contact. The exercise causes curiosity mutually.
How it is done:
The group is divided into sub-groups (groups of election) of 5 people. Each person receives a
paper sheet and a pencil. Each one written its name on its paper sheet. A person begins and
deposits her paper in the medium. The others make associations: with what makes think the
name, sonority, the orthography and they write or draw their associations on the sheet. If it is
possible for the sub-group, one can discuss and give explanations on the particular symbols or
explain the words more of them. One can also tell short stories concerning the name. Then
one passes to the following person.
Duration
Approximately 30 min.
Material
Sheets of paper, pencils or chalks or only simply the 'natural materials' one has. One should
not write his own name on paper, it can also be 'written' with earth, for example.
Preparation
None.
Purpose
This exercise requires a peaceful environment of group in calms. Nobody must be forced to
make associations. The language is not an obstacle. What is more important, they are the
symbols for the name and the respect in what is imagined. Questions of explanation will not
be put by the person concerned but if she wants it.
5. Personal balloons
Topic
To get to know each other, move, repeat the names.
Intention
The members of the group can test themselves to know how much names they are able to
retain. That the met moving and joy.
How it is done:

Each person writes her name on an inflatable balloon. When each person has written their
name on the balloon, they let it go into the air. One starts tossing the balloons around from
one person to another. When stop is shouted, everyone needs to grab a balloon. Then each
person must return the balloon to the owner (shouting the name). Then that continues.
Duration
5 min.
Material
Inflatable balloons, markers (resistant to water), possibly of music (Reader CD, if available).
Preparation
None.
Purpose
It acts of a play simple and animated, one can also use it as ice-breaker. One should not be
afraid owing to the fact that it appears ' too silly'!