Ideas for Phone Calls
Explore a Zoo or Aquarium Together
text them the link:
San Diego Zoo webcam, Houston Zoo webcam
Monterey Bay Aquarium webcam, Georgia Aquarium webcam
Explore a National Park
call up your mentee and put it on speakerphone, both of you click the link on your cell phones as you talk on speaker and explore together.
(or, each of you explore on your own during the week, then talk about it on your call later)
San Diego Zoo webcam, Houston Zoo webcam
Monterey Bay Aquarium webcam, Georgia Aquarium webcam
Explore a National Park
call up your mentee and put it on speakerphone, both of you click the link on your cell phones as you talk on speaker and explore together.
(or, each of you explore on your own during the week, then talk about it on your call later)
Play Would you Rather
Church Together
if appropriate, send them a link to your church’s live streaming Sunday service and then discuss on your next phone call
Explore a Museum Together
text them the link to a museum:
Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam ("where is Amsterdam?")
Musee d'Orsay in Paris ("where is Paris?")
call up your mentee and put it on speakerphone, both of you click the link on your cell phones as you talk on speaker
ask them what they're seeing as you "explore", ask them which way they're turning or what they're clicking on so you can go "together".
or invent a Museum scavenger hunt... say something like, "can you find a ballerina? painting of a field? 3 self-portraits ?"
Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam ("where is Amsterdam?")
Musee d'Orsay in Paris ("where is Paris?")
call up your mentee and put it on speakerphone, both of you click the link on your cell phones as you talk on speaker
ask them what they're seeing as you "explore", ask them which way they're turning or what they're clicking on so you can go "together".
or invent a Museum scavenger hunt... say something like, "can you find a ballerina? painting of a field? 3 self-portraits ?"
Talk about a Video
kids are on YouTube a lot! So, use that as a conversation piece! The day before your call, text the video link.
8 Animals You'll Never See at a ZOO
Most Insane Waterslides in the World
Animated Story about Da Vinci
Animated Story about Van Gogh
Send them the link to your favorite song and ask for theirs as well!
8 Animals You'll Never See at a ZOO
Most Insane Waterslides in the World
Animated Story about Da Vinci
Animated Story about Van Gogh
Send them the link to your favorite song and ask for theirs as well!
Ideas for Video Calls
Riddles
click here for some riddles to solve together!
Screen Share Coloring
screen share a coloring sheet during a video call and color it together right on the screen!
Play Charades
take turns acting out and guessing!
Learn About Coding
play these educational games together from Girls Who Code
Play the Card Game War
each use your own deck of cards
Make a Craft Together
drop off supplies in advance or use what they already have around the house! click here for 13 easy craft ideas!
Scavenger Hunt
invent a challenge: say something like, "I'm going to set the timer for 60 seconds-- we both have to go gather up as many blue things as possible... whoever has the most items wins!" It could be a scavenger hunt to find a color, shape, size, whatever you can think of!
Read Aloud
take turns reading aloud to one another: this website has some stories with illustrations, all online....
text your mentee the link, put the phone on speaker, and click through together so you can both see the pictures!
text your mentee the link, put the phone on speaker, and click through together so you can both see the pictures!
Clothing Challenge Contest
On a video call, say sometime like, "I'm going to set the timer for 2 minutes (or more)...
we will both go to our closet and put on as many pairs of clothes as possible! The one with the most layers of clothes on wins!"
we will both go to our closet and put on as many pairs of clothes as possible! The one with the most layers of clothes on wins!"
Virtual Pizza Party
have pizza delivered to their home and your home, then talk while you share a meal together!
...or just each of you make your own meal and then eat together!
...or just each of you make your own meal and then eat together!
Social Distancing Mentoring Ideas
COVID-19 Time Capsule Coloring Sheets
link here. print, then mail or drop off with your mentee
you can talk about it on your next call... or include a self-addressed stamped envelope for them to send it back!
you can talk about it on your next call... or include a self-addressed stamped envelope for them to send it back!
Care Package
mail, drop off, or order on Amazon
ideas: gel pens, coloring book, crafts, games/cards, snacks, toilet paper
ideas: gel pens, coloring book, crafts, games/cards, snacks, toilet paper
Pen Pals
send them a letter and include self-addressed stamped envelope
Puzzle Letter
write the letter on cardstock or glue to cardboard, cut in puzzle pieces, mail to your mente
...they must put it together to read your message!
...they must put it together to read your message!
Write a Story Together
via email, messenger, or letter. mentor starts the story with 3-5 sentences, mentee continues...
Send a Video
say hello, show them what you're up to (maybe you're walking the dog or cooking dinner)
...text it to them and invite them to send a video back!
...text it to them and invite them to send a video back!
ConsistencyRemember, the most important thing in mentoring is consistency! We encourage you to work with your mentee's guardian to schedule a virtual mentoring "appointment" in advance, just like you would a weekly face-to-face contact. You want your mentee know that call is coming regularly (at least once per week) and look forward to it!
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Tips for Text Communication
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