Walk in My Shoes Script Grade 2 • Social-Emotional Learning 30 Minutes
Walk in My Shoes Script
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Empathy & Inclusion
Objective
Students simulate and discuss differing abilities to build empathy, respect, and inclusive classroom habits.
Key Concepts
Perspective (seeing from another view), Inclusion (making sure everyone belongs), Kindness .
30-Min Timeline
0-5m Hook • 5-18m Stations • 18-23m Reflection • 23-27m Supports • 27-30m Pledge
PART 1: 0 - 5 MIN
Hook & The Empathy Agreement
Whole Group Rug
Gather students on the carpet. Hold up a child's shoe or point to your own shoes.
Teacher Says:
"Have you ever heard the saying, 'You never really know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes' ? What does that mean? It means trying to understand how someone else feels and lives. Today, we are going to explore what school feels like when our bodies and senses work in different ways."
Care Norm:
"Important Rule: Differing abilities are natural. We do not laugh, mock, or make jokes. We treat every station with caring curiosity and respect. If you agree, put your hand on your heart and nod."
PART 2: 5 - 18 MIN
Simulation Stations (4 Rotations • 3 Mins Each)
4 Small Teams
Divide class into 4 teams. Ring chime every 3 minutes. Give 30-second warning to reset props.
1 Cloudy Eyes (Vision)
Prop: Smudged/foggy safety glasses or waxed paper lens.
Challenge: Try to read the secret book quote card and sort 3 colored beads.
Prompt: "Did you need to lean closer or trace with your finger?"
2 Fuzzy Fingers (Dexterity)
Prop: Thick winter mittens or taped sock over dominant hand.
Challenge: Button a flannel shirt, zip a pouch, or trace a spiral line.
Prompt: "How did your fingers feel when they couldn't grip easily?"
3 Sound Off (Hearing)
Prop: Muffled sound earmuffs / silent lip-read cards.
Challenge: Partner mouths 3 playground words silently; guess the word without sound.
Prompt: "How did your partner use hand gestures to help you?"
4 One Hand Helper (Mobility)
Prop: Non-dominant hand only (tuck dominant arm behind back).
Challenge: Open a pencil box, sharpen a crayon, and tie a shoe knot.
Prompt: "What part of your desk or body did you use as an anchor?"
Walk in My Shoes • Grade 2 Teacher Script Page 1 of 2
Debrief & Community Building
Reflection Circle & Inclusion Action
Pacing: Minutes 18 - 30
Circle Discussion
PART 3: 18 - 23 MIN
Feelings Debrief & Sentence Stems
Circle on Rug
Transition students into a quiet sitting circle. Pass a small soft plush or "Talking Shoe" prop.
Teacher Guiding Questions & Prompts:
"Show me on your face with an emoji expression: How did it feel when a simple task suddenly took extra effort?"
"Did anyone feel frustrated, surprised, tired, or determined? All of those feelings are normal!"
"Did you find a creative new trick to finish your task? Who can share one trick they discovered?"
Sentence Stems for Second Graders (Write on board):
"At first, I felt ________ because..."
"It was easier when I ________..."
PART 4: 23 - 27 MIN
Identifying Assistive Supports & Tools
Reframe Perspective
Teacher Talking Points:
"Notice something very important: When a room has the right supports and tools , activities become accessible to everyone! People with differing abilities are not 'stuck'—they are capable people who use smart tools every day."
Vision Tools
Audiobooks, Braille, Large Print, White Cane
Motor Tools
Pencil Grips, Velcro, Weighted Utensils
Hearing Tools
Sign Language, Captions, Light Alarms
Mobility Tools
Ramps, Curb Cuts, Automatic Doors
PART 5: 27 - 30 MIN
Inclusion Action Step & Classroom Pledge
Daily Habit
Teacher Wrap-Up:
"The most powerful tool in our school doesn't cost any money. It is YOU —your kindness and patience! Empathy means remembering that everyone learns and moves at their own pace. When someone needs extra time or help, what can we do?"
Whole-Class Choral Pledge:
"In our classroom, we walk with kindness. We wait with patience. We invite everyone in. We make room for all shoes!"
Teacher Tip: If any student struggles emotionally at a station, gently step in as their "Support Buddy" and model how a teammate offers encouragement rather than doing the task for them.
Walk in My Shoes • Grade 2 Teacher Script Page 2 of 2
Ability Stations Cards Walk in My Shoes • Station Cards
Place one card at each station table • Rotate every 3 minutes
Station 1 & 2
1
Vision Station
Cloudy Eyes Challenge
Foggy Glasses
Big Idea: Some people experience low vision, cataracts, or blurry eyesight. Let's see what it feels like when our eyes need extra help.
A
Put On Glasses
Put on the foggy goggles or look through the wax paper sheet.
B
Read the Clue
Try reading the secret book sentence card without taking them off!
C
Color Match
Pick out 2 blue beads and 2 green beads from the sorting bowl.
Notice & Wonder:
Did you have to slow down? Did using your fingers help you feel edges?
Real-World Super Tools:
Braille bumps, audiobooks, large-print books, and guide dogs!
2
Dexterity Station
Fuzzy Fingers Challenge
Winter Mittens
Big Idea: Some friends have hands that feel stiff, shaky, or have arthritis or nerve differences. Let's see how our fingers adapt!
A
Mitten Up
Slip a thick mitten onto your writing hand. Keep it on the whole time!
B
Button & Zip
Try buttoning 2 big buttons on the flannel shirt or pulling the zipper pouch.
C
Trace the Spiral
Pick up a chunky marker and trace inside the spiral maze card.
Notice & Wonder:
How did it feel when your fingers couldn't pinch small things easily?
Real-World Super Tools:
Pencil grips, big button hooks, Velcro sneakers, and zipper pulls!
Walk in My Shoes • Ability Stations Page 1 of 2
Walk in My Shoes • Station Cards
Place one card at each station table • Rotate every 3 minutes
Station 3 & 4
3
Hearing & Communication Station
Sound Off Challenge
Silent Gestures
Big Idea: Some classmates are Deaf, hard of hearing, or process speech differently. Let's see how our eyes, hands, and faces communicate!
A
Muffle the Sound
Put on earmuffs (or gently place palms over ears). No talking aloud!
B
Mouth the Secret
Partner picks a Secret Word Card and silently mouths the word 2 times.
Simulation Props Kit Simulation Props Kit
Teacher Preparation Checklist & Printable Prop Station Materials
Print & Cut Kit
Everyday Items to Gather (Just 4 Simple Things!) Ready in 5 minutes
Station 1: Vision
2 safety glasses with wax paper taped over lens (or smear thin Vaseline).
Station 2: Dexterity
2 pairs bulky winter mittens or clean thick winter socks over hands.
Station 3: Hearing
2 pairs over-ear headphones, winter earmuffs, or simple hands-over-ears.
Station 4: Mobility
Pencil boxes with snaps, 2 shoes with laces, or button pouches.
1
Station 1 Prop: Secret Book Clue Cards (Cut Along Dashes)
Students read these wearing foggy glasses
Card A • Level 1
"Kind words are like sunshine on a cloudy day."
Hint: 9 words
Card B • Level 2
"Everyone has different gifts that make our class special."
Hint: 10 words
Card C • Level 3
"We do not all walk the same way, but we can walk together."
Hint: 12 words
2
Station 2 Prop: Precision Mitten Maze & Tracker
Students trace with bulky winter mittens on
Challenge 1: Trace The Spiral Track
Stay inside the track from START to the STAR!
GOAL
START
Challenge 2: Connect The Safe Steps
Connect circles 1 through 5 without lifting marker!
1 •••• 2 •••• 3 •••• 4 •••• 5
Notice: Gripping a thin marker with mittens is tricky!
Walk in My Shoes • Simulation Props Kit Page 1 of 2
Simulation Props & Secret Cards
Cut-Out Communication Cards & One-Hand Folding Targets
Stations 3 & 4 Materials
3
Station 3 Prop: Secret Word & Gesture Flashcards
Mouth word silently + use hands/facial expression
Secret Word
SWING
Gesture: sway body
Secret Word
LUNCH
Gesture: eating sign
Secret Word
PENCIL
Gesture: writing
Secret Word
FRIEND
Gesture: hug/wave
4
Station 4 Prop: One-Hand Precision Fold & Anchor Mat
One hand tucked behind back!
Step 1: One-Hand Crease
Place a small paper square on this box. Fold corner A over to corner B using only your non-dominant hand.
Reflection Circle Worksheet Walk in My Shoes • Reflection Circle
Exploring feelings, discovering helper tools, and practicing kindness
Name:
Date:
1
How Did Your Heart Feel? (Circle all that fit!)
All feelings are welcome!
When everyday tasks took extra focus or time at the stations, what did you notice inside?
🤔 Surprised "This is harder than I thought!"
😤 Frustrated "My hands won't obey!"
💡 Determined "I tried a new trick!"
🤝 Grateful "My partner helped me!"
❤️ Caring "I understand better now."
2
Circle Talk: Finish the Sentences
A. The station that challenged me the most was:
1. Cloudy Eyes 2. Fuzzy Fingers 3. Sound Off 4. One Hand
Because:
B. One creative trick or helper idea I used was:
3
Helper Tool Match: Draw a Line to Connect!
Every tool opens doors
Eyes need help reading
Fingers have trouble gripping
Ears cannot hear spoken words
Moving around stairs & doorways
Sign Language & Video Captions
Ramps & Automatic Door Buttons
Audiobooks & Braille Bumps
Pencil Grips & Big Button Pulls
Walk in My Shoes • Grade 2 Reflection Page 1 of 2
My Inclusion Shoe Pledge
Color, write your promise, cut out, and hang on our classroom kindness wall!
Action Step
What is an Inclusion Action Step?
Inclusion means making sure every single person feels welcome, respected, and able to participate. You don't have to fix everything—simple kindness and patience change a person's entire day!
Cut along dashed line to display
MY "WALK IN KINDNESS" PROMISE
When I walk into school every morning, I promise to:
Idea Starters for 2nd Graders:
• "Hold the door open for others"
• "Wait patiently without rushing friends"
• "Ask 'Can I help?' before grabbing"
• "Invite someone sitting alone to play"
Signed with Kindness:
Official Inclusion Ally
"We don't all wear the same shoes, but we all belong in the same circle!"
Walk in My Shoes • Grade 2 Reflection Page 2 of 2
