Launch
🚍 Buddy Connection Day
Effective Communication
Collaboration
Content Expertise
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Self Directed Learning
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.7
Project Launch
Community Partners
Essential Question
Submission Required
Students visit the Pre-K Center to play short games, notice which toys and materials hold attention, and use teacher-supported picture prompts to ask their buddy about favorite colors, characters, textures, and play choices. Midway through the visit, students pause for a quick movement reset and then continue with one observation task and one simple interview task. Back at school, they share one surprising thing they learned and add it to a class chart connected to the question of how a toy can help a younger child smile, play, and learn.
Plan day
Day 1
Duration
45 min
Grouping
Pair
Steps
7 steps
Lesson plan
7 steps · 45 min| # | What teachers do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gather students in a circle, point to the essential question chart, and say, "Today we will find out what helps a younger child smile, play, and learn." Model a wave, a kind voice, and how to use the picture question card and observation sheet. (8 min) |
| 2 | Travel to the Pre-K Center and review buddy expectations with motions: walking feet, quiet voice, kind eyes, and taking turns. Have students practice one greeting and one interview question with a partner before entering. (5 min) |
| 3 | Meet Pre-K buddies and play one short name game with a ball or beanbag so each child says their name and favorite color or toy. Encourage students to smile, listen, and stay beside their buddy. (8 min) |
| 4 | Observe play time with one simple job: watch what your buddy chooses first, touches most, or smiles at most. Students make one quick mark, sketch, or sticker note on their observation card while the facilitator uses gestures for 'look,' 'wait,' and 'write.' (7 min) |
| 5 | Pause for a movement reset by stretching high, touching toes, and taking three slow breaths. Remind students to check their card and get ready to ask two picture-supported questions. (3 min) |
| 6 | Interview buddies using picture prompts for favorite colors, characters, textures, and play choices. Students ask two to four questions, listen carefully, and record answers with words, pictures, or tally marks. (9 min) |
| 7 | Return to the class meeting space and complete a quick turn-and-talk: share one surprising thing you learned and one thing that made your buddy smile. Then add one class note or drawing to the chart titled 'Helps children smile, play, and learn.' (5 min) |
Preparation (12 items)
- Coordinate visit time, space, arrival routine, and buddy pairings with the Pre-K Center.
- Prepare a large essential question chart with simple icons for smile, play, and learn.
- Create picture-supported interview cards with choices for colors, characters, textures, and favorite ways to play.
- Prepare clipboards or sturdy boards with simple observation sheets that include boxes for 'I saw,' 'My buddy liked,' and 'My buddy smiled when.'
- Add visual supports to recording tools such as stickers, tally boxes, emoji faces, and sketch spaces for students who are not writing full sentences yet.
- Choose one short get-to-know-you game and gather materials such as a soft ball, beanbag, or name tags.
- Make a class anchor chart of buddy norms with pictures: wave hello, sit side by side, take turns, use a kind voice, watch first, ask one question at a time.
- Pre-select a few toys or play materials at the visit site with the partner teacher so students can observe safe, age-appropriate choices.
- Plan and teach hand signals or gestures for stop, look, listen, write, and clean up before the visit.
- Prepare a class share chart for after the visit with three columns labeled smile, play, and learn.
- Bring extra pencils, crayons, and a few hard-copy backup cards in case materials are dropped or misplaced.
- Assign adult roles for support during travel, buddy matching, observation, and note-taking so students can stay engaged and safe.
Student-facing instructions
You will meet a Pre-K buddy and learn about what they like. You will need your picture question card, observation sheet, pencil or crayon, and a kind, calm voice. First, you will greet your buddy and play a short game together. Next, you will watch what your buddy chooses, touches, and smiles at. Then you will ask a few simple questions using the picture card about favorite colors, characters, textures, and ways to play. You will record what you learn with words, pictures, or tally marks. At the end, you will share one surprising thing you learned and add one note or drawing to the class chart. Your goal is to collect real information that can help you later design a toy that helps your buddy smile, play, and learn.