Hopes & Fears
Fears and Hopes Activity
Purpose: To surface expectations and concerns—helps participants to see that their fears and hopes are shared by others and that they are out in the open and will be addressed.
Time allotted: 30 minutes.
Group format: Up to 25. If a larger group, have table-groups work together and then report out.
Supplies: Individual writing materials, newsprint and markers
The Steps:
1. Ask participants to write down briefly for themselves their greatest fear for this meeting: “If it’s the worst experience you’ve had, what will have happened (or not happened)?” And then write your greatest hope, ie “If this is the best meeting you’ve ever attended, what will be the outcome(s) that will have taken place by the end? (3-4 minutes)
2. If time, ask participants to share their hopes and fears with a partner. (3 minutes)
3. Have two newsprint sheets—one labeled “fears” and one “hopes” and list everything that folks call out. Ask that they avoid repeats.
4. This activity transitions very well into norm-setting: In order to reach our hoped-for outcomes, what norms will we need? (see activity)
Reflection questions following the activity:
Did you notice anything surprising/interesting while doing this activity?
What is the impact of expressing negative thoughts?
Why did we ask you to do this activity? What might it accomplish?
Would you use this activity in your school? In your classroom?
Facilitation tips: Be sure that all fears and hopes are written down, as expressed, without comment or any sense of judgment, except perhaps, “That’s interesting.” Do not be fearful of having folks express their worst fears, it always makes things go better once expressed. Plus we want to know what to not do! This activity segues very well in to norm-setting,