Visiting Odyssey Charter School is always a great time for our coaches! From the moment we stepped through the doors for our first workshop of the year, we were welcomed by smiling faces, warm greetings, and a buzz of curiosity from students eager to dive into new ideas. Coach Caroline, Emily, Tiff, and Kenny were ready to bring our competency of the day, empathy, to life through fun, hands-on activities.
Our team split up to work with different classrooms and we kicked things off with High-Five Fever. Imagine a room full of students darting around, sharing as many high-fives as they could with their friends, and laughing as they took part in friendly competition. It was a whirlwind of energy that set the perfect tone for the rest of the workshop.Â
Next, we took the fun up a notch with an epic Rock-Paper-Scissors battle. This version of the classic game is a bit different – it’s all about making eye contact and communicating effectively. Through simple games like this, students learn about and practice leadership skills like connection and communication, all while engaging in active and fun competition.Â
Then came our fuel tank activity, where we taught students how to recognize what fills them up and what drains them. We used cups of water to bring the concept to life. Picture this: someone spills milk in the kitchen and their fuel tank drains a little (some water empties from the cup). Then, they ace a big test and their tank fills right back up (some water is added to the cup).Â
For the grand finale, we got everyone up and moving again. This time, they shared their own personal fuel tank stories with their classmates. It was incredible to see the light bulbs go off as they realized how much their everyday experiences impact their energy and emotions – and that their actions can affect the tanks of those around them, which is integral to activating our competency of the day, empathy!
When the final bell rang, the students left with big smiles and so did we. Their energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm were contagious, and we couldn’t stop talking about all the fun moments as we packed up to leave. One thing’s for sure: Odyssey Charter School has a special place in our hearts!
