Lesson Plan
Scenario-Based Social Skills
Students will practice empathy and decision-making by role-playing neighborhood scenarios and collaboratively solving challenges, strengthening social awareness and community responsibility.
This lesson helps 5th graders develop empathy by stepping into others’ shoes and making thoughtful decisions, fostering stronger community ties and responsible citizenship.
Audience
5th Grade Small Group
Time
35 minutes
Approach
Guided role-play and collaborative problem-solving.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Familiarize yourself with the Empathy in Action Slide Deck.
- Print sufficient copies of the Role-Play Prompts Script and Problem-Solvers Table Handouts.
- Review the Debrief & Takeaways Discussion Guide to prepare reflection questions.
- Set up the projector or display and arrange seating to facilitate small-group role-play.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Welcome students and introduce the “Community First” objective.
- Briefly discuss what empathy and community responsibility mean.
- Display the first two slides from the Empathy in Action Slide Deck.
Step 2
Scenario Role-Play
20 minutes
- Divide students into pairs or trios and distribute the Role-Play Prompts Script.
- Assign each group a different neighborhood challenge scenario.
- Groups role-play, focusing on empathetic responses and effective decision-making.
- Circulate to prompt deeper thinking and encourage positive peer feedback.
Step 3
Problem-Solving Tables
5 minutes
- Reconvene as a whole group around tables.
- Provide each table with Problem-Solvers Table Handouts.
- Groups discuss and list solutions they practiced, noting the benefits to the community.
Step 4
Debrief & Takeaways
5 minutes
- Lead a reflection using the Debrief & Takeaways Discussion Guide.
- Ask: How did empathy influence your decision? How can you apply these skills in real life?
- Summarize key insights and encourage students to commit to responsible community actions.
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Slide Deck
Empathy in Action
Community First: Practicing Empathy & Decision-Making
Welcome students and introduce the slide deck title. Emphasize that today’s focus is on practicing empathy and making community-minded decisions.
What Is Empathy?
• Seeing the world through someone else’s eyes
• Understanding others’ feelings and perspectives
• Responding with kindness and care
Define empathy in kid-friendly terms. Ask a quick question: “Can anyone share a time you tried to understand how a friend felt?”
Community Responsibility
• Caring for people around you
• Making decisions that benefit everyone
• Taking action to solve problems together
Explain community responsibility. Invite one or two students to suggest what it means to help their neighborhood.
Today’s Journey
- Introduction & Warm-Up (5 min)
- Scenario Role-Play (20 min)
- Problem-Solving Tables (5 min)
- Debrief & Takeaways (5 min)
Walk through the session structure so students know what to expect.
Scenario Prompts
Use the Role-Play Prompts Script to explore challenges like:
• A neighbor’s dog goes missing
• A community garden needs care
• A new student feels left out
Invite groups to open the Role-Play Prompts Script. Read one example aloud.
Role-Play Tips
• Speak and listen as if you’re the character
• Ask “How do you feel?” and “Why?”
• Show respect: turn-taking and eye contact
• Think of questions to learn more
Offer guidance on effective role-play. Model one tip if time allows.
Problem-Solvers Tables
• Review solutions your group practiced
• List benefits each solution brings to the community
• Be ready to share one idea with everyone
Direct students to move to small tables and open the Problem-Solvers Table Handouts.
Reflection & Takeaways
Use the Debrief & Takeaways Discussion Guide:
• How did empathy guide your choice?
• How can you apply this in real life?
• What’s one community action you’ll try this week?
Use the Debrief & Takeaways Discussion Guide for questions. Encourage students to commit to one action.
Script
Role-Play Prompts Script
Teacher, read each scenario aloud to your small groups. Then guide students through the questions and instructions below to practice empathy and decision-making.
Scenario 1: A Neighbor’s Lost Dog
Teacher says:
“Let’s imagine Mrs. Rivera’s dog, Max, has run away. He’s small and scared. Mrs. Rivera is worried and doesn’t know where he is.”
- Ask your group: “How would you feel if you were Mrs. Rivera? What worry might you have?”
- Prompt students: “As a helper, what questions could you ask Mrs. Rivera to understand how she feels and what might help?”
- Role-play instructions:
- Student A is Mrs. Rivera, explaining why Max is important to her.
- Student B is a neighbor offering to help search.
- Practice asking open-ended questions (“Can you tell me where Max was last seen?”) and showing caring words (“I’m here to help you.”).
After 3 minutes, switch roles.
Scenario 2: Community Garden in Trouble
Teacher says:
“Your neighborhood garden was being taken care of by families, but lately the plants look wilted because no one watered them. The people who water the garden feel frustrated.”
- Ask your group: “Why might the volunteer gardeners feel upset? How do you think the plants and animals in the garden are affected?”
- Prompt students: “What ideas could you suggest to help everyone share gardening duties? How would you explain your idea kindly?”
- Role-play instructions:
- Student A is a frustrated gardener explaining the problem.
- Student B is a community member offering a solution (like a watering schedule).
- Practice saying, “I hear you’re upset—let’s brainstorm a plan together.”
After 3 minutes, switch roles.
Scenario 3: A New Student Feels Left Out
Teacher says:
“Jamie is new to our school and sits alone at lunch. They don’t know anyone and feel sad.”
- Ask your group: “What might Jamie be thinking or feeling right now?”
- Prompt students: “How could you invite Jamie to join your group? What would you say to make them feel welcome?”
- Role-play instructions:
- Student A is Jamie, explaining how lonely they feel.
- Student B is a classmate inviting Jamie to sit together.
- Practice friendly language (“Hi Jamie, would you like to join us?”) and ask, “What’s your favorite game?” to learn about them.
After 3 minutes, switch roles.
Wrap-Up Prompt
Teacher says:
“Great job exploring feelings and solutions! Before we move on, share one thing you learned about empathy or teamwork in your role-play.”
End of Role-Play Prompts Script
Activity
Problem-Solvers Table Handout
Use this handout to capture the solution your group role-played and the ways it benefits our community. Be ready to share one idea in the debrief.
Group Members:
1. Scenario Practiced:
(From the Role-Play Prompts Script)
2. Solution Your Group Role-Played:
3. Benefits to Our Community:
- Benefit 1:
- Benefit 2:
4. How Did Empathy Guide Your Decision?
Reflect on how stepping into someone else’s shoes helped you choose this solution.
5. Commitment to Action:
What’s one real-life action your group will try this week?
When you’ve completed this handout, place it on the table and get ready for our final reflection using the Debrief & Takeaways Discussion Guide.
Discussion
Debrief & Takeaways Discussion Guide
Objective: Reflect on your role-play experience, connect empathy to community impact, and set a personal action plan.
1. Share Your Solution
• Which scenario did your group practice? What solution did you role-play?
2. Explore Empathy
• How did stepping into another person’s shoes help you choose this solution?
• Can you give a specific example from your role-play?
3. Community Benefits
• What positive effects could your solution have on our neighborhood or school community?
• Who benefits and how?
4. Apply to Real Life
• Think of a time outside of class when you could use this kind of empathetic decision-making.
• Describe one real situation.
5. Commitment to Action
• What is one specific community-minded action you will try this week?
• Who will you help, and how will you show empathy?
Closing Prompt:
“Remember, small acts of empathy can make a big difference. Thank you for sharing—let’s keep looking out for each other!”