Empathy Chain Link

Activity Overview

Empathy, the ability to recognize, understand, and experience the feelings of others, is an essential trait we strive to develop in our young learners. In this activity, students will have the opportunity to learn more about empathy and represent their loved ones by creating their own chain link necklace or bracelet. What better way to keep your loved ones close to your heart!

What You Need

• Paper strips

• Markers, crayons or paint

• Scissors

• Homesick Penguin

Steps

1. Read Homesick Penguin on Epic. Pair the book with guiding questions.

2. Cut out paper strips that are approximately one inch wide. Give one strip to a student and tell them to pick a person in their life that they love. Students will decorate this first strip based on this person. Encourage them to pick colors or designs that remind them of the person they love. Give students new paper strips one at a time and help them create a link that represents each person close to them.

3. As you are completing the chain necklace or bracelet, focus the conversation on the manner in which each link represents their loved ones, how we can take care of our loved ones and emphasize how it is important to care for others. As students finish decorating each ring, have them glue each together and link them to make a chain.

4. Wearing the necklace or bracelet represents keeping your loved ones close to your heart.

Guiding Questions

• What did Duck do after he found out Penguin was sad and missed his home?

• How did Penguin feel after Duck drew his home for him? How did Duck feel? Why?

• How can we represent each family member or special someone with our chain links?

• What colors are you using and why?

• Are you close with this loved one?

Extensions

• Share the bracelet or necklace with a family member and show them which part of the chain is for them!

• Use paintbrushes and paint, stickers, collage, or any other material the student wishes.