Activity: Project timeline tree
Taking action: Adolescents plan for an exhibition of their creative work and projects
Activity overview
Energy level: 3/5
Literacy level: 3/5
Complexity level: 4/5
Time: 45 minutes
Purpose: Plan and organize project steps by creating a timeline of events, people and dates on a tree timeline.
Objectives
Adolescents will be able to:
- Develop and plan steps for goals.
- Express ideas through group collaboration.
Competency domains
- Creativity and innovation
- Hope for the future and goal setting
Works well for
Participants working on a longer project, such as a project in the community involving many people with different roles.
Phase
Taking action
Before
Participants should have a project idea. Plan a project. Choosing a challenge topic. Review the Tree-timeline tool [PDF].
After
Adolescents can use their project tree timeline as a guide as they continue to plan and carry out their project. Keep their project tree timeline and display it where they are working together to remind them of their great work and their plans.
Preparation
Draw a sample project tree on a flipchart. Do not fill in the steps before the session, because you will demonstrate how to do this as part of the activity.
Activity steps
Step 1
Explanation and discussion: Participants will use a project they are working on and draw a detailed tree timeline of events and people involved.
Step 2
Facilitator will draw a large sketch of a tree on the marker board or a piece of flip chart paper. The tree should be tall with many branches. There should be space around the branches for the facilitator to add writing or drawings to represent project steps. Use the Tree timeline tool [PDF] as an example.
Step 3
Facilitator says: “This is a tree timeline. As a large group, we will first draw a big tree. Then we will fill in branches from the bottom to the top of the tree.”
Step 4
Facilitator says: “The bottom of the tree represents ‘now’ and the top of the tree represents the end of the project. The branches in between represent the steps we need to take to finish our project. We will draw in pictures, names, dates and events on the branches, in order, moving up the tree until the top, which represents the end of the project.”
Step 5
Explain: Groups should first write/or draw their end goal at the top of the tree. Next, they should brainstorm the steps they need to take to reach that goal. They can write or draw those steps on the branches, in order, from the bottom of their tree to the top. These steps can include events and people. Ask adolescents for some examples of steps needed to carry out their project and demonstrate how to write them onto the tree timeline. They can write or draw to represent different steps.
Step 6
Organize participants into small groups to develop their tree timeline and help them to begin to work on their project tree timelines together.
Step 7
Explain: Participants can use several flipchart papers and tape them together to make a very tall tree.
Step 8
After participants are finished and are happy with their timeline, help them to read through it from the bottom (now) to top (the end goal).
Step 9
Share and Take Away
Discuss: How will you use your project timeline tree to help you get work on your project together? Did you learn anything new about your project and the steps you will need to carry it out?
Do and don't
Do
- Give plenty of space for participants to draw their timeline.
- Help adolescents create a plan and learn about the planning process, not draw or copy a “perfect” tree.
- Encourage flexibility and creativity in the drawing.
Don't
- Take time during the exercise to review adolescent’s project timeline plans and help them to consider any additional steps that might be needed.
- Recommend steps that adolescents should include in their project tree timelines until they have had a chance to think of and write or draw steps themselves.
- Be judgemental of drawings.
Adaptation
Adolescents can pick something other than a tree to draw for their timeline.
Environment
Indoor or outdoor space with plenty of room to draw on flipchart paper.
Supplies
- Flipchart paper - enough for the size of the tree.
- Markers and coloured pencils for each participant.
Improvise
Adolescents can use the tree timeline for personal goals and can draw pictures on the branches of how they will reach their goals and who will help them.
Continue
Participants should revisit this timeline as they make progress on their project. They can mark or track their progress on the tree. Participants also can use this activity when brainstorming a new project idea.
Highlights
Plan and organize project steps by creating a timeline of events, people and dates on a tree timeline. Works well for participants working on a longer project, such as a project in the community involving many people with different roles.
