As a child, I was fascinated by the idea of tossing a message in a bottle into the ocean and wondering if someone, somewhere, might write back. I loved imagining who might respond: another girl like me? A family at the beach? Somebody famous? I was eager to connect with someone outside my usual circle.
In Disney Pixar’s new movie, Elio looks at the sky and wonders: Is anyone out there? More than anything, he’s searching for people who will accept him and a place where he belongs. Use one or more of these activities with children ages 5-12 to explore these themes in Elio.
Messages. The Voyager Golden Record was sent into space in 1977. It included a recording: “Hello from the children of planet Earth.” Elio crafts a similar message. Invite children to imagine messages they might send to another galaxy. Ask: How do you want other life forms to imagine your community? What feelings and ideas do you want to share? Record and share your messages.
Preparations. When Elio believes aliens are coming to get him, he frantically collects everything he wants to take with him. Ask children: What would you pack for a visit with aliens? Encourage them to gather (or list) these things. Then ask: Why did you select these items?
Loneliness. After his parents’ death, Elio is lonely. He decides that trying to contact aliens might help him find others with whom to connect. Invite children to lie on their backs. Say: Close your eyes and take a deep breath in (pause) and let it out (pause). Imagine you’re lying under the stars and everything is quiet. (pause) As you gaze at the sky, you wonder: is anyone out there? (pause) Imagine a voice whispering back: “I’m here. I hear you.” (pause) Notice how your body feels as you listen to the voice whispering. (pause) Take a deep breath in (pause) and let it out slowly, opening your eyes. (pause) Share your experiences.
Communiverse. Communiverse is a spaceship that gathers aliens from throughout the galaxy. They use their special skills to support one another and invent new things. Invite children to draw a picture of inventions they would want to work on to help create a just and caring space community. Encourage them to include images of the aliens who would partner with them on their projects.
Negotiation. When Lord Grigon doesn’t get his way, he threatens to destroy the Communiverse. Elio offers to negotiate with him. Ask children: What are some of the negotiation techniques that Elio uses to try to convince Lord Grigon not to destroy the Communiverse? What are some other things he could have tried? Take turns pretending to be Lord Grigon and Elio as you act out negotiating scenarios.
Handshake. Elio watches Byrce and Caleb’s special handshake when they meet up, then develops his own special handshake with Glordon when they become friends. Encourage children to create a special handshake and use it when you greet each other.
Networks. Elio and his aunt must steer their spaceship through space debris. A network of hand radio users around the world help them navigate. Invite children to chart their support networks, using different colors, lines, and shapes to show how diverse helpers connect with them directly and through other people.
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