The prep jobs were an opportunity for all of the students to show some creativity and personality! Each group had some samples from real restaurants to study. We took time to meet and notice similarities in the products. We also discussed if the purpose was to persuade, inform, or entertain. The answer was often more than one! Then, they were on their own!
Below you will find some teaching points for each group along with our final products:
Commercials:
Teaching Points:
- You are trying to persuade people to visit our cafe to support Blake and enjoy the food
- Commercials should be entertaining
- Introduce audience to our cafe name and our class
- Tell audience about the cause we’re supporting and donations
- Give information about when and where the cafe will take place
- Highlight some of the food that will be available.
- Write a script and think about if you’ll need props
We used a green screen to make the background whatever they wanted. In our commercial they chose volleyball because Blake plays volleyball. You can also add fun effects like object popping up on the screen. The idea of using a green screen was intimidating, but it’s actually super easy! I used the app Green Screen by DoInk.
Check out our final commercial:
Pamphlet Creators:
Teaching Points:
- You are trying to persuade people to visit our cafe to support Blake and enjoy the food.
- Introduce audience to our cafe name and our class.
- Tell audience about the cause we’re supporting and donations.
- Give information about when and where the cafe will take place.
- Include our logo, pictures, photos and words.
- Highlight some of the food that will be available.
Logo/Front Sign Creators:
Teaching Points:
- Your team will need to agree on one final logo design. It might be best to make several versions and discuss what you like about each. Then, either combine ideas to create a final design or vote to decide what will be the final logo.
- Use a simple design with very little text.
- Include the cafe name.
- Make it interesting – add color, excitement, connection to our purpose.
Menu Creators:
Teaching Points:
- Show photos of each type of food available
- Include Prices
- Include an area that says to ask about allergies
- Include the cafe logo
- Include information about the cause we’re supporting
Placemat Creators:
Teaching Points:
- Highlight the best foods that are available. Persuade the guests to buy them!
- Use one side to provide entertainment for guests – jokes, word searches, mazes, etc.
- Create different versions so all guests do not have the same placemat.
Socially, the learning was priceless. It took a lot of cooperation and communication to work as a team and come out with just one final menu, pamphlet or logo! Honestly, some group struggled way more than others in this area. But isn’t that the purpose? We need to present kids with tough situations that they can wade through on their own. Of course, when things got ugly (and it did a couple time) I was there to give feedback and help guide them into a more productive path. Finally, there was a lot of mindset work happening. They had to persevere and stay optimistic when things weren’t turning out quite right. I can’t even put into words the pride that these littles had for their work. Their eyes were shining when they presented their final product to the class.
Now on to Kindness Cafe Part 3: Day of Cafe & Revealing the Total!