Deliverable

Empathy Artifacts & Maps

Content Expertise Effective Communication Critical Thinking & Problem Solving CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.3 Community Partners Submission Required

Students synthesize interview and observation data into empathy artifacts, including interview notes (minimum three per student), empathy maps, and journey maps. They test these artifacts with a chef or peer, gather feedback, and iterate to refine their understanding of user needs and cultural context for their sensory storytelling memoir.

Plan day
Day 2
Duration
90 min
Grouping
Individual
Steps
5 steps

Lesson plan

5 steps · 90 min
# What teachers do
1 Introduction: Set the stage by explaining the goal of creating empathy artifacts and the importance of understanding personal narratives in the context of cultural and emotional connections to food. (5 min)
2 Sensory Warm-up: Conduct a brief sensory activity related to tasting or smelling a commonly used ingredient. Have students note down any memories or emotions that come up. (10 min)
3 Interview Planning: Introduce the interview process with the local chefs, discuss interview etiquette, and collaboratively create a list of questions that probe into cultural significance and personal narratives related to food. (10 min)
4 Role-Playing Interviews: In pairs, practice mock interviews to prepare for real interactions with chefs, focusing on active listening and note-taking. (10 min)
5 Gathering and Sharing Insights: Have students gather as a group to share their mock interview experiences and discuss initial reflections on crafting their empathy artifacts. (10 min)
Preparation (3 items)
  • Coordinate with local chefs to schedule interviews, ensuring they understand the activity's educational goals and methods.
  • Prepare sensory materials for the warm-up activity, such as spices, herbs, or other ingredients.
  • Create a handout with key interviewing tips and sample questions for students.
Student-facing instructions
You will begin by participating in a brief sensory exercise to connect food with memories. Next, you'll work on preparing for interviews with local chefs by developing thoughtful and probing questions. Then, you'll practice these interviews with a partner to hone your ability to listen and document narratives effectively. Finally, you'll share your insights with the group to prepare for crafting empathy artifacts.