September 2006
Literacy Tutoring Tip:
“Mile in Your Shoes” Activity
If you have made arrangements with your school to begin tutoring in September, here is a simple project for getting to know your student, and having them get to know you!
Summary:
This activity is a nice ice breaker, and will help you and your student get to know each other better. Each of you will fill a shoebox (or make a collage) with pictures and objects that represent who you are.
Directions:
There are two ways you can do this activity.
Version 1 –
Go over the proverbs below (just the first one if you are working with a younger student). Discuss what it means to “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.” Bring in two empty shoeboxes. One is for you and one is for your student. Label your shoeboxes. Fill the shoeboxes with cut-out pictures, objects, words, and drawings that represent who you are. Decorate the outside of your shoebox as well (if you want you can decorate the outside of your shoebox the way people see you, and put more personal things on the inside). Share your shoeboxes with each other and explain what the objects and pictures mean. Make a list of all the things that are similar about both of you. Then, make a list of how you are different.
Version 2 -
Go over the proverbs below (just the first one if you are working with a younger student). Discuss what it means to “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.” Then, draw an outline of your shoes or your feet (or trace your footprint) on a piece of paper. Have your student do the same. Cut out and/or draw pictures and words that represent each of you and glue them in your pictures. Share your collages with each other and explain what the objects and pictures mean. Make a list of all the things that are similar about both of you. Then, make a list of how you are different.
Proverbs:
Never judge someone until you have traveled a mile in their shoes.
-Old proverb
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he'll be a mile way - and barefoot.
-New proverb
