There are five stages of group development:
- Stage 1: Forming
- Stage 2: Storming
- Stage 3: Norming
- Stage 4: Performing
- Stage 5: Adjourning
When a group is formed it does not get from forming to performing without some growing pains. If a group is successful the adjourning or departure stage will be a bittersweet process.
According to Abudi, in the adjourning stage "the project is coming to an end and the team is moving off into different directions" (2010, paragraph 14.)
A time that was difficult for me to leave a group was my high school class and group of friends. We had a long four year group development in which we went from forming to performing within our high school culture.
At graduation, the adjourning stage, we said our goodbyes some of us in tears. We had literally grown up together. This group was the hardest to leave because we had good chemistry, we worked together in various projects and after school activities. Some of us developed close friendships, and after graduation we would all go in separate directions.
I did appreciate the school's supportive departure and different activities, like graduation, prom and Seniors' Field day that allowed for a all of us to say our goodbyes.
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| Source: Microsoft Office 2010 |
Thank you, Angela. I just can't recall getting together for a group, but if I write it down, I will probably remember doing some team work for something. This let's me know, I got to get out more. Next week I am going to a Christmas party for my high school donating toys to the needy children on skid row in Los Angeles. Okay, I just remembered, I am forming a group in our local library for parents and grandparents with children and adult children with Autism. It is in the beginning stages. I want to form an interest group first. It is a little difficult because it is the holidays but what better time to start. Graduation: anxiety fears because I have not gotten work yet,(had some interviews) but, my goal is by January 2014 I will be working or getting my PhD.
ReplyDeleteHigh school graduation is probably one of the more significant adjourning moments in all of our lives. Like you stated these are people in which we grew up with some from kindergarten on up and we typically all go different directions from there. Although it is one of the hardest ones to do, is a great accomplishment and a feeling of excitement afterwards.
ReplyDeleteIt was always the nice moment in high school. I had the hard time to say goodbye to my friends then as well. After the graduation, people all went to all directions, and some of them could keep in touch. However, some of people will just no longer exist in our lives. That was a big adjuring moment for me too. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAngela, I enjoyed your blog this week, it made me think back to my high school graduation and what a fun, yet sad time it was to end that part of my life. Over the past few years, with Facebook, it has been so interesting to reconnect with those I had been close with so many years ago. Our life is filled with these moments of adjourning; whether it is personal or professional, we are changing, moving, and leaving groups so often. It is important to think back on these events and learn from each group involvement we have had. There are some amazing self reflection opportunities we can gain so much perspective from. Thank you for taking me back in time!
ReplyDeleteHi Angela,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your posts every week, and I liked the way you expressed your ideas and thoughts, clear and concise. It became one of my habits to check your blog weekly to see what you would say about the topic of that week. I thought you had wonderful ideas and examples to support your opinions. I hope we can work together again in the other courses in the future to learn and grow together. Thank you for all your help and support.
Hi Angela, I want to say thank you for sharing so many rich experiences during our course work; you have provided such great scenarios that I have learned so much from. Also, thank you for always being so candid and open with your posts and discussions. I feel we have all learned so much from each other and it is sad to think some of us will not continue on through our specialization courses together. I wish the best in all you do!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jill
Angie!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite people to connect with! I tend to look for a sprinkling of people who I can trust will have quality content that is compatible with my own writing style. You have always been one whose work is both exceptional and thoughtful. I have grown tremendously through this connection and am grateful for your presence in this class. I wish you well going forward and many blessings to your beautiful family!
Angela,
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the thoughtful comments and wanting to view my blog. I hope you can view it now.
You are truly a role model for your passion willing to work and learn about early child development. I don't know if we will ever meet or work together, but I will keep you and all my colleagues in my prayers and hope we can greet and meet someday soon. Keep the children safe! Take care!