How Can I Effectively Scaffold The Design Thinking Process For My 6th-grade Students To Develop Empathy And Define Problems In A Way That Is Both Rigorous And Accessible, Particularly For English Language Learners And Students With Varying Learning Abilities, Within The Constraints Of A 45-minute Class Period?

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To effectively teach design thinking, focusing on empathy and problem definition to 6th graders within 45 minutes, consider the following structured plan:

1. Icebreaker (5 minutes)

  • Human Bingo: Create bingo cards with traits or interests. Students find peers who fit each description, fostering connections and empathy.

2. Introduction to Empathy (10 minutes)

  • Video: Show a short video (e.g., "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" clip) to illustrate empathy.
  • Reflection: Ask students to think about a time they felt misunderstood, using sentence starters for ELLs.

3. Modeling Empathy (10 minutes)

  • Role-Playing: Assign scenarios (e.g., helping a new student) and have students practice active listening and questioning in pairs or small groups.

4. Defining the Problem (10 minutes)

  • Prompt: Use a "How Might We" question on a topic like improving the classroom.
  • Brainstorming: Utilize sticky notes or an online tool. Provide visual aids for organization.

5. Prioritizing Ideas (5 minutes)

  • Voting: Each student gets two votes to select top ideas, ensuring everyone's voice is heard.

6. Reflection and Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

  • Reflection Activity: Students write or draw what they learned about empathy.
  • Share-Out: Quick sharing of reflections to conclude the session.

Differentiation and Engagement

  • Pairing ELLs: Partner with advanced students; offer bilingual resources.
  • Visual Aids: Use charts and diagrams to aid understanding.
  • Movement and Color: Incorporate movement and visuals to maintain engagement.

Assessment

  • Informal Observation: Monitor participation and review brainstorming notes.

Timing Flexibility

  • Allocate 5 minutes each for icebreaker, reflection, and wrap-up, with adjustments as needed.

This plan ensures an interactive, empathetic, and structured approach, accommodating diverse learning needs and abilities. Adjustments can be made based on class dynamics and feedback.