What Is Interconnectedness?

Purpose: To create an awareness and understanding of Interconnectedness. To apply the concept of Interconnectedness to ones’ self as a means of emotional regulation.

1. Ask class to share what they had for breakfast that morning. Acknowledge the variety of experiences: Many may have had school breakfast, some had breakfast before they came, some may even have had both! Even within those that had breakfast at school, they may have chosen to eat different options provided than others. Of those that ate at home some may have had a large cooked meal, some may have had a bowl of cereal or a Pop Tart. Of the shared responses choose one of the simplest breakfasts with least amount of variation as possible to expand upon. For example, a bowl of Cheerios.
2. Place the word Cheerios in the center of the white board as the focus of a Word Web.
3.  Elicit student responses for what materials are needed to enjoy a bowl of Cheerios. Expand your Word Web.
4. Now ask students to expand in as much detail as possible what was needed for each of those materials to end up in that student’s hands this morning for breakfast. 
5.  Continue the process for each new bubble. For example, what was needed to happen for the cow to be able to produce milk? What was needed for your family to have a car available to get to the store? What was needed for the milk to get from the cow to the store? Encourage deeper thinking---Where did the gas in the car come from? What was needed to get the gas from the gas station to your car….or the gas TO the gas station?
6. The Word Web will very quickly fill your white board and overflow-- ask the students to pause for a minute and absorb all the “Innumerable Labors” that had to connect and work together for just that ONE student to have a simple bowl of Cheerios. 
7. Ask the students to take a moment and look around the room. Reflect on what work had to be done and sacrifices made by people they will never even meet in order for them to have the shoes on their feet, the carpet on the floor, the chair they are sitting on! 
8. Allow for some silence to take place and ask students to notice and observe their reflections.
9. How might looking at the mundane objects they come in contact with every day in this new light change their perspectives? If you had a chance to say thank you to all the people and animals who worked to bring your breakfast---would you?