What Makes You Happy?
What Makes You Happy? Identifying and Sharing Sparks is a 45-minute activity where participants share their deep interests, talents, or activities — their sparks — with the rest of the group. It focuses on connecting people with new ideas, people, places and experiences. Facilitators ask participants to reflect on things they are really passionate about, when they feel happiest, and when they lose track of time because they like what they are doing so much.
Planning and Preparation: This 45-minute activity works with any size group. You’ll need blank paper, pens or pencils, and sticky notes (or half sheets of paper or index cards and tape). You’ll want to identify some open wall space where you can post each person’s sticky note with space for everyone to read them. Encourage positive sparks. If someone’s spark is a harmful activity (drugs, self-injurious behavior), you’ll want to follow up after the activity to see if they need support or resources.
Developmental Relationship Element: Expand Possibilities.
CASEL Competencies: communication, self-awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making.
Objective: Build and strengthen relationships among participants and between participants and leaders. Deepen understanding of Expand Possibilities in Search Institute’s developmental relationships framework.
Activity
What Makes You Happy?
Resource Audience
Resource Type
Read Time
Participants
# of Participants
Task Group Size
Task Length
More Activities to Build Strong Relationships in Your Classroom or Group
![State of DA hero v2](https://d2pck61xhq74q6.cloudfront.net/_920x480_crop_center-center_none/state_of_DA_hero_v2.jpg)
Video
State of Developmental Assets Webinar
State of Developmental Assets Webinar Presented by Dr. Ben Houltberg, CEO of Search Institute on November 16th, 2022
![Child Group5 420x340](https://d2pck61xhq74q6.cloudfront.net/Resources-Hub/Familes-and-Networks/_920x480_crop_center-center_none/ChildGroup5_420x340.jpeg)
Guide
Social Capital Assessment + Learning for Equity (SCALE) Measures
The Social Capital Assessment + Learning for Equity (SCALE) Measures User Guide and Technical Manual are tools that help organizations build social capital.
![SV Video Response](https://d2pck61xhq74q6.cloudfront.net/_920x480_crop_center-center_none/SV-VideoResponse.jpg)
Activity
Video Guided Response
Student Voice Video Response activity
Related Resources on Relational Practices
![Child Group4 420x340](https://d2pck61xhq74q6.cloudfront.net/_920x480_crop_center-center_none/ChildGroup4_420x340.jpeg)
Activity
Inspiration Wall
Activity where participants name people who have inspired them and work together to create an inspiration collage.
![Teacher Child9 420x340](https://d2pck61xhq74q6.cloudfront.net/Resources-Hub/Framework-for-Action/_920x480_crop_center-center_none/TeacherChild9_420x340.jpeg)
Report / Brief
Developmental Relationships Framework
The developmental relationships framework identifies five strategies to strengthen and deepen the relationships that help young people grow and thrive.
![SV Picture Essay](https://d2pck61xhq74q6.cloudfront.net/_920x480_crop_center-center_none/SV-PictureEssay.jpg)
Activity
Picture Essay
Student Voice, Picture Essay