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 empathy helps students build stronger, more supportive relationships with their peers and family by learning to truly connect with others' feelings.
Audience
3rd Grade
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Through a video, Venn diagram, scenario sorting, and discussion.
Materials
Smartboard or projector, Are You Feeling With Me or For Me? Slide Deck, Video on Empathy vs. Sympathy Activity, Whiteboard or large paper for Venn Diagram, Markers, and Empathy/Sympathy Scenario Cards Discussion (printed and cut out)
Prep
Preparation Steps
15 minutes
- Review the Are You Feeling With Me or For Me? Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Watch the Video on Empathy vs. Sympathy Activity to ensure it plays correctly and you are familiar with its content.
- Print and cut out the Empathy/Sympathy Scenario Cards Discussion for the small group activity.
- Prepare a whiteboard or large paper for drawing a Venn Diagram.
Step 1
Video Introduction
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "Have you ever tried to help a friend who was sad, but it didn't quite feel right? Or maybe someone tried to help you, and it didn't feel like they really 'got' it? Today, we're going to explore two ways we can respond to others: feeling 'with' them or feeling 'for' them."
- Introduce the video: "We're going to watch a short video that helps explain this idea. Pay close attention to the difference between 'feeling with' and 'feeling for'."
- Play the Video on Empathy vs. Sympathy Activity.
Step 2
Venn Diagram: Compare and Contrast
5 minutes
- After the video, draw a large Venn Diagram on the board or chart paper. Label one circle "Sympathy" and the other "Empathy."
- Ask students: "Based on the video, what are some things we can say about sympathy? What does 'feeling for' someone look like?" (e.g., pity, feeling bad for them, wanting to fix it, distance).
- Record their responses in the "Sympathy" circle.
- Ask: "Now, what about empathy? What does 'feeling with' someone mean?" (e.g., understanding their feelings, putting yourself in their shoes, sharing feelings, connecting, listening).
- Record their responses in the "Empathy" circle.
- Guide students to identify commonalities or key differences to place in the overlapping section or to further clarify the distinctions.
Step 3
"Which Is It?" Scenario Sort
5 minutes
- Divide students into small groups of 3-4.
- Give each group a set of Empathy/Sympathy Scenario Cards Discussion.
- Instruct groups: "Read each scenario card. Discuss with your group whether the response described is an example of 'empathy' or 'sympathy.' Place the card under the correct heading."
- Circulate among groups, listening to their discussions and providing guidance as needed. Ask probing questions: "Why do you think that's empathy? What makes it different from sympathy?"
Step 4
Think-Pair-Share: "Feeling With People"
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask students to think individually: "Why do you think 'feeling with' someone (empathy) is often a stronger way to connect with people than 'feeling for' them (sympathy)?"
- After a minute of individual thinking, have students pair up with a partner to share their thoughts.
- Call on a few pairs to share their ideas with the whole class. Facilitate a brief discussion, emphasizing that empathy makes people feel understood and less alone.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Are You Feeling WITH Me or FOR Me?
Understanding Empathy vs. Sympathy
How do you respond when someone is sad or upset? What makes someone feel truly understood?
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's main question. Briefly explain that today we'll explore different ways to respond when someone is having a hard time, and how those responses make people feel. Connect it to their own experiences.
Understanding "Feeling With" vs. "Feeling For"
We're going to watch a short animated video.
Listen carefully for the difference between:
- Empathy (feeling WITH someone)
- Sympathy (feeling FOR someone)
Think about how each makes the person feel.
Introduce the video as a way to clarify the concepts of empathy and sympathy. Encourage students to listen for the key differences and how each type of response feels to the person experiencing it. Explain that the video uses animations to make it easier to understand.
Empathy vs. Sympathy: A Venn Diagram
Let's compare and contrast!
- What goes in the 'Sympathy' circle (feeling FOR)?
- What goes in the 'Empathy' circle (feeling WITH)?
- What do they have in common (if anything)?
Transition to the Venn Diagram activity. Explain that the Venn Diagram will help them organize their thoughts and see the connections and differences between empathy and sympathy. Guide them through filling out the diagram as instructed in the lesson plan.
Which Is It? Scenario Sort
Work in your groups to read each scenario.
Decide if the response is:
- Empathy (feeling WITH)
- Sympathy (feeling FOR)
Be ready to explain your choices!
Explain the "Which is It?" scenario sort activity. Give clear instructions on how they will work in groups with the Empathy/Sympathy Scenario Cards Discussion to identify empathetic or sympathetic responses. Emphasize discussion within their groups.
Think-Pair-Share: The Power of "Feeling With"
Why is empathy (feeling WITH someone) often a stronger way to connect with people than sympathy (feeling FOR someone)?
- Think silently for 1 minute.
- Pair up with a partner and share your thoughts.
- Share with the class.
Introduce the Think-Pair-Share activity. Give students quiet time to think individually before discussing with a partner. Encourage them to consider the impact of each type of response.
Key Takeaways
Remember:
- Sympathy is feeling for someone.
- Empathy is feeling with someone.
- Empathy helps us build stronger connections and makes others feel understood and less alone.
Try to practice "feeling with" your friends and family this week!
Summarize the key takeaways from the lesson. Reiterate that empathy is about understanding and connecting, which makes people feel seen and supported. Encourage them to practice empathy in their daily interactions.
Activity
Video: The Power of Empathy
Watch this short animated video about empathy. As you watch, think about these questions:
- What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?
- How does the person receiving sympathy feel?
- How does the person receiving empathy feel?
- What does it mean to "feel with" someone?
The Power of Empathy (RSA Short based on Brené Brown) - YouTube
Discussion
Empathy/Sympathy Scenario Cards
Instructions: Read each scenario carefully. Discuss with your group whether the response shown is an example of Empathy (feeling with) or Sympathy (feeling for). Be prepared to explain your reasoning to the class.
Scenario Card 1
Situation: Your friend, Leo, is really sad because his pet fish died.
Response: You say, "Oh no, I'm so sorry! I remember when my hamster died, and it felt so bad. It's okay to be sad, I'm here for you."
Is this Empathy or Sympathy?
Scenario Card 2
Situation: Your classmate, Maria, missed the school field trip because she was sick, and she looks upset.
Response: You say, "Aw, that's too bad. Well, at least you didn't have to do all that walking!"
Is this Empathy or Sympathy?
Scenario Card 3
Situation: Your sister, Chloe, is frustrated because she can't figure out a difficult math problem.
Response: You sit next to her, look at the problem with her, and say, "I can see how confusing this looks. It's really tough when you get stuck. What part is making it hardest for you?"
Is this Empathy or Sympathy?
Scenario Card 4
Situation: Your teacher seems stressed because a lot of papers fell on the floor.
Response: You immediately rush over to pick them all up, saying, "Don't worry, I'll fix it for you!"
Is this Empathy or Sympathy?
Scenario Card 5
Situation: Your friend, Sam, is disappointed because he didn't win the spelling bee.
Response: You say, "I know you really wanted to win, and it's okay to feel sad about it. You worked so hard, and I'm proud of you."
Is this Empathy or Sympathy?
Scenario Card 6
Situation: A new student, David, looks very nervous and sits alone at lunch.
Response: You walk over to him and say, "It can be a little scary starting at a new school. Do you want to sit with me and my friends today?"
Is this Empathy or Sympathy?