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Are You Feeling WITH Me or FOR Me?

Lesson Plan

Are You Feeling WITH Me or FOR Me?

Students will be able to explain the difference between an empathetic response and a sympathetic response in a given scenario.

Understanding the difference between empathy and sympathy helps students connect more deeply and authentically with others, fostering stronger relationships and a more supportive classroom environment.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Through video, discussion, and scenarios, students will explore empathy and sympathy.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Markers/Whiteboard, Slide Deck: Feeling WITH or FOR Me?, Video on Empathy vs. Sympathy, and Empathy/Sympathy Scenario Cards

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Video (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students what it means to be a good friend or to care for someone.
    - Introduce the idea that there are different ways we can show we care.
    - Show the Video on Empathy vs. Sympathy.
    - After the video, ask students for their initial thoughts and observations. Use Slide 1 and Slide 2 to guide this section.

Step 2

Venn Diagram: Compare and Contrast (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Project a Venn Diagram (or draw one on the board). Use Slide 3 to illustrate.
    - As a class, discuss the definitions of empathy and sympathy from the video.
    - Fill in the Venn Diagram with student input, noting similarities and differences. Emphasize 'feeling with' for empathy and 'feeling for' for sympathy.

Step 3

"Which is It?" Scenario Sort (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups.
    - Distribute the Empathy/Sympathy Scenario Cards to each group.
    - Instruct groups to read each scenario and decide if the best response would be empathetic or sympathetic. They should be prepared to explain why.
    - Circulate and provide support, listening to student reasoning. Use Slide 4 to introduce the activity.

Step 4

Think-Pair-Share: "Feeling With People" (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
    - Ask each group to share one scenario and their reasoning.
    - Conclude with a Think-Pair-Share: "Why is 'feeling with' people a stronger way to connect than 'feeling for' them?"
    - Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion on their insights. Use Slide 5 and Slide 6 for reflection and wrap-up.
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Slide Deck

Are You Feeling WITH Me or FOR Me?

Understanding Empathy vs. Sympathy

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about what it means to be a good friend or to care for someone. Explain that today we'll explore different ways we show care. Transition to playing the video.

What did you observe?

What stood out to you in the video?
What do you think 'feeling with' someone means?
What do you think 'feeling for' someone means?

After the video, open the floor for initial reactions. What did they notice? What did they find interesting or confusing? Guide the discussion towards the core ideas presented in the video.

Empathy vs. Sympathy: A Venn Diagram

Let's compare and contrast Empathy and Sympathy.

Empathy: Feeling WITH someone. Understanding their feelings as if they were your own.
Sympathy: Feeling FOR someone. Pity or sorrow for their misfortune.

Similarities? Differences?

Draw or project a Venn Diagram. Explain that we'll use it to compare and contrast empathy and sympathy. Solicit ideas from students based on the video and prior discussion. Emphasize the core difference: 'with' vs. 'for'.

Which Is It? Scenario Sort

In your groups, read each scenario card.
Decide if the best response is EMPATHY or SYMPATHY.
Be ready to explain your choice!

Explain the 'Which is It?' activity. Distribute the scenario cards and instruct students to work in small groups. They need to read each scenario and decide if an empathetic or sympathetic response is more appropriate, and be ready to explain why. Circulate and listen to their discussions.

Reflect & Connect

Why is 'feeling WITH' people often a stronger way to connect than 'feeling FOR' them?

Think-Pair-Share

Bring the class back together. Have groups share one scenario and their answer. Then, transition to the Think-Pair-Share question. Give students a minute to think individually, then pair up, and finally share with the class.

Key Takeaways

Empathy helps us truly understand others.
Feeling 'with' someone builds stronger connections.
Both empathy and sympathy have their place, but empathy helps us connect more deeply.

Summarize the key takeaways: Empathy builds stronger connections by truly understanding others' perspectives. Encourage students to practice both empathy and sympathy, knowing when each is most helpful.

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Activity

Video: Feeling WITH vs. Feeling FOR

Watch the video below to understand the difference between empathy and sympathy. As you watch, think about:

- What does it mean to "feel with" someone?
- What does it mean to "feel for" someone?
- Can you think of a time when someone "felt with" you?
- Can you think of a time when someone "felt for" you?

[Placeholder Video Link - Imagine a helpful animated short on Empathy vs. Sympathy]
(Teacher Note: A great option is the Brené Brown RSA Short on Empathy, or a similar age-appropriate animated video.)

After watching, we will discuss your observations as a class.

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Discussion

Empathy/Sympathy Scenario Cards

Instructions: Read each scenario with your group. Discuss whether an empathetic response or a sympathetic response would be most helpful. Be ready to explain why you chose your answer.

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## Scenario 1: Lost Toy
Your friend, Maya, looks very sad. She tells you that she accidentally left her favorite stuffed animal at the park, and when she went back, it was gone.

Would you respond with empathy or sympathy? Why?





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## Scenario 2: Falling Down
During recess, your classmate, Ben, trips and scrapes his knee. He's crying a little and holding his knee.

Would you respond with empathy or sympathy? Why?





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## Scenario 3: Bad Grade
Your friend, Sam, studied really hard for a math test, but he still got a bad grade. He feels really disappointed in himself.

Would you respond with empathy or sympathy? Why?





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## Scenario 4: New Kid
A new student, Leo, joins your class. He looks a little nervous and is sitting alone at lunch.

Would you respond with empathy or sympathy? Why?





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## Scenario 5: Argument with Sibling
Your friend, Chloe, tells you she had a big fight with her older brother this morning, and now she feels angry and misunderstood.

Would you respond with empathy or sympathy? Why?





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