Hi Kelli- I had the same problem- I couldn't get my picture to post, but I did print it off so I could use it in my responses.
For my sixth graders, it was definitely an independent activity- I allowed them to go to it when they finished an assignment on their laptops. They had a great time choosing their characters, and it was remarkable how much the Wild Selves really did look like them! I didn't use the follow-up as a written activity (lack of time on that day) but we did a quick share where they got a chance to explain the "why" behind their choices. Some students understood the selection of characteristics for their critter, but a few really just wanted to put together a bizarre creature, with no real reasoning.
For my sixth graders, it was definitely an independent activity- I allowed them to go to it when they finished an assignment on their laptops. They had a great time choosing their characters, and it was remarkable how much the Wild Selves really did look like them! I didn't use the follow-up as a written activity (lack of time on that day) but we did a quick share where they got a chance to explain the "why" behind their choices. Some students understood the selection of characteristics for their critter, but a few really just wanted to put together a bizarre creature, with no real reasoning.