Word Pictures Ice Breaker
Word Pictures Ice Breaker
Used and Adapted by Susan Brasch http://www.susanjbrasch.com
Objectives:
1. The participants will share with one another words that have strong personal and emotional connotations.
2. Using quick line drawings, the participants will create and then share drawings that represent these words from their personal perspectives.
Audiences:
This activity can be enjoyed by all age groups.
Supplies/Materials:
- Drawing or blank writing paper (or a personal or art journal if preferred)
- Pencils or pens
Class Instruction:
1. As a group, ask the participants to make a list of personal words that have strong visual or emotional connotations. You may want to get them started thinking with such words as: angry, joyful, peaceful, sad, grieving, bored, excited, silly or serious. Additional word prompts you can use:
A. Descriptive words (elegant, harsh, wiry, frantic, dreamy, weird, turbulent, etc.)
B. Action words (tumble, jump, skip, roll, flow, attack, etc.)
C. Names of favorite things (kittens, flowers, pizza, mountains, etc.)
D. Names of things you fear (snakes, heights, spiders, etc.)
E. A feeling or mood (excitement, conflict, passion, rage, etc.)
2. After the group has thrown out a variety of words, ask the participants to write one of the words on their sheet of paper (or in their journal).
3. Now ask the participants to “write” the word in a new way:
A. Tell the participants to close their eyes and move your pencil around the paper, making marks that “feel like” the word.
B. Encourage them to swing their arms, stab at the paper or caress the page to describe the word. Here is an example of the word “frantic” drawn using this method:
Frantic as Word Picture
4. Ask the participants to choose other words and “write a word picture” based on them.
5. At the conclusion of the time allotted, ask the participants to share their images with one another and discuss their feelings and the process.
Other Examples of Word Pictures:
Examples
Extensions and Adaptations:
Consider have the participants cut the “word pictures” into squares and create a collage.