"Walking a Mile in your Shoes" was the theme guiding a series of Mix It Up Day activities at Woodstown Middle School. Activities began two days prior to Mix it up Day, as students in grades 6th through 8th participated in classroom-based discussions, led by guidance, centering on the idiom "you cannot understand someone until you have walked a...
"Walking a Mile in your Shoes" was the theme guiding a series of Mix It Up Day activities at Woodstown Middle School. Activities began two days prior to Mix it up Day, as students in grades 6th through 8th participated in classroom-based discussions, led by guidance, centering on the idiom "you cannot understand someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes." The value of this form of perspective taking was highlighted as a key to settling conflicts, achieving empathy, and working together in a community.
To make the idea real, students were then informed that they were randomly paired with another student in the school, with whom they would meet for a "getting to know you" activity, and whose shoes they would fill during lunch period on Mix It Up Day. While some students initially groaned at the thought, the apprehension was treated as a natural response to stepping outside of one's comfort zone, and through discussion we were able to reframe this response and allay discomfort.
Woodstown Middle School students decorated paper sneakers to represent their partner, "Walking a Mile in Your Shoes," for Mix It Up Day, After lunch the next day, students had to seek out their partners (each pair was given two paper sneakers and a series of starter questions) and were allowed to find a quiet place to talk. The activity was chaotic at first, as 300 students sought their match, but as students paired off, and low chatter began to fill the cafeteria, teachers began to whisper "they are actually talking to each other!"
It was helpful to recognize that many students lacked the social prowess to instantly strike up a meaningful conversation with a new peer, so the conversation questions were instrumental in helping the students quickly transition into meaningful conversations. After 20 minutes of conversation, art materials were distributed, and students decorated paper sneakers to represent their partner. Students then returned their sneakers, and a smaller group of students assembled them into a large collage labeled "Don't judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes." As they left the cafeteria, students had one last task; show your partner where you usually sit, so they can fill your shoes tomorrow on Mix it up Day.
On Mix it up Day, students were encouraged to wear mixed-up outfits, such as backward/inside-out clothing and mismatched patterns. As students entered the cafeteria, staff assisted students in finding their new locations, and by the time students were eating it was clear that the entire student body was thoroughly mixed, yet adapting admirably. Again, conversation-starter questions were placed on all tables to encourage students to interact, and the general climate of the cafeteria was subdued yet friendly.
Overall, the teachers were very pleased with how our students responded to the lesson, and by how instinctively they "got it," from the larger themes of empathy and perspective-taking, to little acts of kindness. Many students quickly recognized when their partner was uncomfortable, and made extra efforts to be understanding and encouraging. As the activity ended, one student approached and asked "can we do this every week?"
Submitted by: Kim Nelson, Guidance Counselor and Tom McHugh, School Psychologist, Woodstown Middle School, Woodstown
