Activity Adaptations for Students Ages 6-8
Empatico activities are designed to be flexible and meet teachers' needs in a variety of education settings. This document outlines suggestions to ensure younger students have a positive Empatico experience.
Preparing your students
1) Use a KWL chart to simplify the “Prepare” stage. KWL refers to: Know, Want to learn, and Learned. If KWL charts are new for you, click here to read more about how and why they work. For example, in the "Prepare" step of the "Get to Know You" activity, ask students what they KNOW about their partner’s location and what they WANT to learn about their partner class. After the exchange, reflect on what they LEARNED.
2) Practice on screen to give students an opportunity to see themselves in front of the camera before they meet their new partner classmates. Consider using a “talking box” (a square of tape on the ground) as you practice to help students see where to stand/sit when speaking to the partner class.
Interacting with your partner class
1) Keep it short: Empatico activities are written to include a 20-40 minute live video interaction, but we recommend a 10-15 minute exchange for younger students, with each class preparing 3-5 questions.
2) Sing a song: You might share your class’s favorite song with your partner class, or learn a new “hello song” to sing in unison with your partner class (click here for two examples).
3) Get moving! If your students get restless during the exchange, consider finding ways they can express themselves through movement.
Reflecting with your students
Have students draw their reflections (instead of writing) about their exchange. For example, students might draw a picture of themselves with their new friends.