INVITE A COLLEAGUE TO JOIN EMPATICO

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FEATURED ACTIVITY

A Great Wind Blows…

Play a fun, movement-based game to help students learn more about each other!
AGES 11-18 / 15 MIN ACTIVITY

Self-Awareness Kindness Inclusivity

Play & Games

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INSTRUCTIONS

Instructions
1. To set-up the game, gather chairs (one less than the total number of students)
and arrange the chairs in a circle. Ensure that the chairs are facing an open
space in the center, and that there aren’t any items on the floor that students
might trip over (e.g., backpacks).

Then, select one student to stand in the center of the circle, who will start the
game.

2. The student should identify a characteristic about themselves, and then

announce the prompt to the group, starting with: “A great wind blows for
everyone who…”.

For example, if the student has a pet dog, they might say: “A great wind blows
for everyone who has a dog at home.”
3. All of the students who can also identify with the statement must get out of
their seat and find a new seat that is at least two chairs away from them (i.e.,
not the chair right next to them). The student in the middle should also try to
find a seat in the circle.

4. If a student cannot find a new seat, they become the leader of the next round!
They should also share a prompt about themselves starting with: “A great wind
blows for everyone who…”.

Some ideas include:

• A great wind blows for everyone who has a younger sibling.
• A great wind blows for everyone who has family living in another country.
• A great wind blows for everyone who speaks a language other than English at
home.
• A great wind blows for everyone who likes to play football / soccer.
• A great wind blows for everyone who is trying to learn a new hobby or skill.
• A great wind blows for everyone who has had their name mispronounced.
• A great wind blows for everyone who plays an instrument.
• A great wind blows for everyone who has shown kindness to someone they
didn’t know.
• A great wind blows for everyone who has lived in more than three cities.
• A great wind blows for everyone who has a birthday in February.
• A great wind blows for everyone who can name three things (or people) they
are grateful for.
• A great wind blows for everyone who has watched an entire television series in
a weekend.
• A great wind blows for everyone who has learned an important lesson from a
mistake.
• A great wind blows for everyone who is trying to improve their mental or
physical health.
• A great wind blows for everyone who is trying to become a better
communicator.

5. After playing a few rounds, ask the following questions to invite students to
reflect on their experience:
• How did you decide what to share about yourself when you were in the
middle?
• How did it feel to share personal characteristics or experiences with the group
during the game?
• Did you discover any commonalities or surprising connections with your
classmates?
• Did you notice any changes in the atmosphere of the group as the game
progressed? If so, how would you describe these changes?
• Is there a specific prompt or moment from the game that stood out to you?
Why?
Optional Extension: “Empathy flows…”
Consider adapting the game to focus more on empathy. Students should start the
prompts with: “Empathy flows to everyone who…”, and share a personal
experience, emotion, or thought that is related to empathy and understanding.

For example:
Empathy flows to everyone who has felt left out in a group.
Empathy flows to everyone who has helped a friend in need.
Empathy flows to everyone who has felt judged because of their appearance.
Empathy flows to everyone who has taken the time to learn about, and
appreciate, a friend’s cultural background.
Empathy flows to everyone who has a hard time expressing their feelings to
others.
Empathy flows to everyone who has given someone a compliment to make
their day better.
Empathy flows to everyone who has organized a surprise for someone’s
birthday.
Empathy flows to everyone who feels proud of something they have
accomplished recently.
Empathy flows to everyone who has misjudged another person, and learned
from their mistake.
Empathy flows to everyone who likes to spend time in nature.
Empathy flows to everyone who feels anxious about climate change.
Empathy flows to everyone who cries when they feel angry.
Empathy flows to everyone who has sent someone a funny message or video
to cheer them up.
Empathy flows to everyone who tries to be a good listener to others.
Empathy flows to everyone who volunteers to help others in their
community.

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