Building Bridges: Empathy and Communication

Shannon Janovitz

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Building Bridges: Empathy and Communication

Enhance empathy and communication skills

In this lesson, students will engage in group discussions and activities focused on effective communication and empathy-building. They will learn techniques to listen actively and respond with empathy, which are crucial skills for fostering positive relationships and understanding diverse perspectives. This lesson is important as it helps students develop social-emotional skills that are essential for lifelong learning and responsible citizenship.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Enhance empathy and communication skills

Materials

Discussion Questions, Empathy Scenarios Worksheet, and Pens and Paper

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Begin with a brief discussion on the importance of empathy and communication in daily life.
Ask students to share examples of when they felt truly heard or understood.

Step 2

Group Discussion

15 mins

Divide students into small groups.
Provide each group with a set of discussion questions to explore empathy and communication.
Encourage students to share personal experiences and listen actively to each other.

Step 3

Empathy Scenarios Activity

20 mins

Distribute the Empathy Scenarios Worksheet to each group.
Have students role-play different scenarios, focusing on empathetic listening and responses.
After each role-play, discuss as a class what strategies were effective.

Step 4

Reflection and Sharing

10 mins

Ask students to reflect on what they learned about empathy and communication.
Invite volunteers to share their reflections with the class.

Step 5

Closure

5 mins

Summarize key points from the lesson.
Encourage students to practice empathy and active listening in their daily interactions.

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Discussion

Discussion Questions

A set of questions to guide group discussions on empathy and communication.

What does empathy mean to you?

Encourage students to think about empathy in terms of understanding and sharing the feelings of others.

Can you think of a time when someone showed empathy towards you? How did it make you feel?

Guide students to reflect on personal experiences and the impact of empathy.

Why is active listening important in communication?

Discuss how active listening helps in understanding others better and building trust.

Worksheet

Empathy Scenarios Worksheet

A worksheet with scenarios for students to role-play and practice empathy.

Scenario 1: A friend is upset because they failed a test. How would you respond empathetically?

Consider how you would feel in their situation and what words or actions might be comforting.

Scenario 2: You notice a classmate sitting alone during lunch. What could you do to show empathy?

Think about ways to include them and make them feel valued.

Scenario 3: A teammate is frustrated after losing a game. How can you support them?

Focus on listening to their feelings and offering encouragement.