Spatial Requirements: Regular classroom setup: little or no space required
Activity Type: Movement/group
Grades: 3-12
Group Size: 4 or more
Time: Out-of-class homework plus 20 minutes in class

Introduction: Plugging in with someone older and wiser can have a long-lasting positive impact in a young person’s life. This activity is a great way for students to understand the importance of seeking advice and wisdom from someone who has had more life experience. It also gives them an opportunity to build social skills as they engage in conversation with an adult. Note: This activity is similar to many of the “Plugging In” activities you will find in the student journals.

Materials: 

• 1 pen or pencil per student
• 1 list of questions per student, for the interviewee (These can be found online at www.whytry.org/activities.)

Activity:

In this activity, students become newspaper reporters. Their assignment is to interview someone at least twenty years older than they are, using the list of questions you’ll provide them. They will write down their answers and share them with others in class the next day.

When students return the following day, divide them into groups of four or five and have them share their answers with each other. After all the answers have been shared, have each group share the most interesting answer from their group to the entire class.  Feel free to share more if time permits.

Processing the Experience:

• Who did you pick to interview?
• How did you make that decision?
• How did your interviewee respond when you asked if you could interview him/her?
• What did you enjoy about talking to him/her?
• What do you think they enjoyed most about the interview?
• What important life lessons did you learn from your interviewee?
• What did this activity teach you about the value of “getting plugged in” with someone older and wiser?
• How will plugging in with someone who has more experience benefit you in life?