Empathize
Empathize
Students will meet their Pre-K buddies, gather firsthand evidence about what makes them smile, play, and learn, and turn those observations into early empathy notes that will guide later toy and story design.
Days 1 - 2
Define
Define
Students will sort buddy research into clear patterns, connect those patterns to story and play needs, and write a simple problem statement that explains how a toy can help a specific Pre-K buddy smile, play, and learn.
Days 3 - 4
Ideate
Ideate
Students will generate several toy ideas for their Pre-K buddy, use story and play evidence to compare options, and choose one promising toy direction to carry into drafting.
Days 5 - 7
Draft
Draft
Students will turn their toy ideas into first drafts by practicing simple prototype-building moves, drafting a toy-centered story plan, building a labeled low-tech toy model, and revising after a structured peer feedback round.
Days 8 - 11
Test
Test
Students will test their toy drafts and story ideas with peers and Pre-K users, gather clear evidence about what helps a younger child smile, play, and learn, and document specific revisions for the next phase.
Days 12 - 14
Critique
Critique
Students will use structured critique to compare their toy prototype and companion book against buddy evidence, story elements, and play-and-learn goals, then revise both products before the final showcase phase.
Days 15 - 17
Notice & Reflect
Notice & Reflect
Students will present their finished toy-and-book work to an authentic audience, notice evidence of how their design helped a younger child smile, play, and learn, and document their growth through spoken, visual, and video reflection.
Days 18 - 20
Empathize
Days 1–2
Day 1
🚍 Buddy Connection Day
Launch
45m
Day 2
🎭 Toy Stories and Empathy Map
Deliverable
45m
Define
Days 3–4
Day 3
🧸 Buddy Needs Sort
Knowledge/Skill Building
40m
Day 4
📝 Toy Problem Statement Card
Deliverable
45m
Ideate
Days 5–7
Day 5
🎭 Toy Character Drama Moves
Knowledge/Skill Building
35m
Day 6
🖍️ Three Toy Idea Sketches
Project Work
50m
Day 7
✅ Buddy Toy Choice Card
Deliverable
45m
Draft
Days 8–11
Day 8
🧰 Toy Parts Build Lab
Knowledge/Skill Building
35m
Day 9
🎭 Toy Story Map Drama
Knowledge/Skill Building
40m
Day 10
🧸 Buddy Toy Prototype Draft
Deliverable
60m
Day 11
💬 Two-Friend Toy Tune-Up
Project Work
45m
Test
Days 12–14
Day 12
🗣️ Toy Test Talk Stems
Knowledge/Skill Building
30m
Day 13
🧸 Buddy Toy Tryout
Community Experience
45m
Day 14
🔁 Two Friends Feedback Round
Deliverable
45m
Critique
Days 15–17
Day 15
🎭 Toy Story Feedback Walk
Knowledge/Skill Building
40m
Day 16
🧸 Buddy Toy Critique Circles
Deliverable
50m
Day 17
✏️ Revision Plan Conference
Project Work
45m
Notice & Reflect
Days 18–20
Day 18
🖼️ Toy-and-Book Showcase Walk
Deliverable
45m
Day 19
🎉 Play & Story Premiere
Community Experience
45m
Day 20
🎤 Smile, Play, Learn Reflection
Assessment
45m
September 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
28
Day 1
Empathize
🚍 Buddy Connection Day
29
Day 2
🎭 Toy Stories and Empathy Map
30
Day 3
Define
🧸 Buddy Needs Sort
1
Day 4
📝 Toy Problem Statement Card
2
Day 5
Ideate
🎭 Toy Character Drama Moves
October 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
5
Day 6
🖍️ Three Toy Idea Sketches
6
Day 7
✅ Buddy Toy Choice Card
7
Day 8
Draft
🧰 Toy Parts Build Lab
8
Day 9
🎭 Toy Story Map Drama
9
Day 10
🧸 Buddy Toy Prototype Draft
12
Day 11
💬 Two-Friend Toy Tune-Up
13
Day 12
Test
🗣️ Toy Test Talk Stems
14
Day 13
🧸 Buddy Toy Tryout
15
Day 14
🔁 Two Friends Feedback Round
16
Day 15
Critique
🎭 Toy Story Feedback Walk
19
Day 16
🧸 Buddy Toy Critique Circles
20
Day 17
✏️ Revision Plan Conference
21
Day 18
Notice & Reflect
🖼️ Toy-and-Book Showcase Walk
22
Day 19
🎉 Play & Story Premiere
23
Day 20
🎤 Smile, Play, Learn Reflection