This lesson is designed to help students recognize and empathize with people who have disabilities. This lesson can show how difficulties arise when working individually, and how more can be accomplished when you work together as a team. This activity can easily lead to discussions on empathy, respect, trustworthiness, and caring.

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• Students will develop teamwork skills in finishing project
• Students will experience what it is like to have a disability
• Students will reflect upon their performance and the performance of the team

• Scrap paper (a pile for each team)
• Staplers (one for each team)
• Scissors (one for each team)

1. Randomly, organize students into groups of 3 or 4.
2. Each group should be given their pile of scrap paper, a stapler, and a pair of scissors.
3. Without talking and with each students’ dominant hand behind each of their backs, groups are challenged to make the longest paper chain in the time allotted (5-7 minutes)
4. After the first round, give the teams 2 minutes to discuss their strategy for the next round.
5. Repeat the procedure in step 3. Give the teams another 5-7 minutes.

• Students could interview a person with a disability and find out challenges that they face daily.
• Students could be given a disability (wheel-chair bound, crutches, etc.) and practice having to get lunch, go to office, or maneuver around the classroom with the disability.