This post is sponsored by EmoQuest. All thoughts are my own.
Navigating the world of special education is like being on fully individual journey with each of your students. You’re constantly seeking new tools and techniques to support their unique needs, especially when it comes to developing crucial SEL skills. If you’re looking for something fresh and engaging to add to your teaching toolkit, let me introduce you to EmoQuest—a fantastic app that’s making waves in the world of educational technology.
What is EmoQuest?
EmoQuest is an interactive app designed specifically for K-5 special education students. Its mission? To help kids develop essential SEL skills through a series of engaging social stories. You know I love social stories/scripts – I sell them in my TPT store and all of them live in my Behavior Supports Library. I share about them constantly! So when I learned about an interactive app that featured social scripts, I was sold. Imagine a tool that turns learning about emotions and social interactions into a fun adventure—this is exactly what EmoQuest aims to do!
Key Features and Benefits
1. Jimmy’s Interactive Social Stories
One of the standout features of EmoQuest is its interactive social stories starring a character named Jimmy. Your students get to make choices for Jimmy in various scenarios, which makes learning social skills an interactive and enjoyable experience. For example, if Jimmy faces a problem, your students decide what he should do next. This not only helps students understand social situations better but also makes them an active participant in the learning process.
2. Guess Jimmy’s Feelings
Another engaging feature is the “Guess Jimmy’s Feelings” game. This activity helps students learn to recognize and express a range of emotions like anger, frustration, joy, and more. By observing Jimmy’s reactions in different situations, students get to practice identifying and naming emotions, which is a key part of emotional intelligence.
Technical Details
EmoQuest is designed to be super accessible and user-friendly. It’s available on iOS, Android, and web platforms, so you can integrate it easily into your classroom tech setup.
Here’s the best part: you can start exploring EmoQuest without any cost. The app offers a couple of free stories to get you and your students acquainted with its features. If you’re ready to dive deeper, the Pro version is available for just $19.99. The Pro version includes access to all 26 stories, with new stories added every month—so your students will always have fresh content to explore and learn from.
How to Get Started
1. Download the App: EmoQuest is available on iOS and web. Choose the platform that works best for you and your classroom setup.
2. Explore the Free Stories: Begin by introducing your students to the free stories. This will help them get familiar with the app and see how it fits into their learning routine.
3. Upgrade to Pro for More Content: If you find that EmoQuest is a hit with your students (which we think you will!), consider upgrading to the Pro version. The additional stories and monthly updates offer a wealth of new scenarios and learning opportunities.
4. Integrate into Lessons: Use EmoQuest as part of your daily or weekly routine. Incorporate it into lessons about emotions, social interactions, or even collaborate with your school social workers. Its interactive nature makes it a versatile tool in your teaching toolbox.
5. Reflect and Discuss: After using EmoQuest, take some time to discuss what your students learned. Ask questions about their choices for Jimmy and the emotions they recognized. This reflection helps solidify their learning and encourages them to apply it to real-life situations.
Why You Should Give EmoQuest a Try
EmoQuest is more than just an app to put kids on during center time. It’s a resource that can bring a new level of engagement and understanding to your classroom. By combining interactive storytelling with emotion recognition, it offers a unique way to teach social and emotional skills that are vital for your students’ growth and development.
If you’re ready to explore EmoQuest and see how it can benefit your students, click here to learn more and get started.
Here’s to adding a new dimension to your teaching and helping your students thrive emotionally and socially. Happy exploring, and I’d love to hear about your experiences with EmoQuest in the comments!
