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Emotions & Empathy Exploration

Lesson Plan

Emotions & Empathy Exploration

Navigate emotions & improve self-regulation

This 8-week lesson series helps middle school boys navigate strong emotions and improve self-regulation skills, focusing on cultural competence and humility. Through restorative practices, active learning, and trauma-informed teaching, students will engage in discussions, activities, and reflections to better understand and manage their emotions. This approach fosters a supportive environment for students to develop empathy and cultural awareness, essential for personal growth and social interactions.

Audience

Middle school boys grades 6th-7th

Time

8 weeks, 45 min per session

Approach

Restorative Practices, Active Learning, Collaborative Learning, Trauma-Informed Teaching, Experiential Learning

Materials

Video: Managing Feelings & Emotions For Elementary-Middle School, Video: Brené Brown on Empathy, Video: Understanding Your Emotions, Video: Coping Mechanisms, Video: 4 Things All Great Listeners Know, Video: Emotional Intelligence, Video: How to Break the Ice, Video: How to Move On and Find Closure, Worksheet: Emotions & Coping Skills, Discussion: Empathy & Cultural Competence, Reading: Understanding Emotions, Pens and paper, and Projector or screen for video viewing

Step 1

Week 1: Introduction to Emotions

45 mins

  • Welcome students and introduce the topic of emotions and empathy.
  • Briefly explain the importance of understanding and managing emotions, and how empathy plays a role in cultural competence.
  • Show the video Understanding Your Emotions.
  • Discuss the three steps to managing emotions: identifying feelings, thinking about coping skills, and practicing those skills.
  • Distribute the exit ticket to assess understanding of emotions and empathy.

Step 2

Week 2: Understanding Empathy

45 mins

  • Show the video Brené Brown on Empathy.
  • Facilitate a discussion using the provided questions to explore empathy and its role in cultural competence.
  • Introduce cultural examples, such as how different cultures express empathy and emotions differently.
  • Distribute the exit ticket to assess understanding of empathy.

Step 3

Week 3: Identifying Emotions

45 mins

  • Distribute the 'Emotions & Coping Skills' worksheet.
  • Guide students to identify their own emotional triggers and coping strategies.
  • Show the video Managing Feelings & Emotions For Elementary-Middle School.
  • Encourage sharing in pairs or small groups to foster collaborative learning.
  • Discuss cultural differences in emotional expression and coping mechanisms.
  • Distribute the exit ticket to assess understanding of identifying emotions.

Step 4

Week 4: Coping Skills

45 mins

  • Review coping skills discussed in previous sessions.
  • Show the video Coping Mechanisms.
  • Engage students in role-playing scenarios to practice coping strategies.
  • Reflect on the effectiveness of different coping skills.
  • Discuss how cultural backgrounds can influence preferred coping strategies.
  • Distribute the exit ticket to assess understanding of coping skills.

Step 5

Week 5: Empathy in Action

45 mins

  • Discuss real-life scenarios where empathy can be applied.
  • Show the video 4 Things All Great Listeners Know.
  • Encourage students to share personal experiences and how empathy influenced their actions.
  • Reflect on how empathy can improve relationships and cultural understanding.
  • Use cultural examples to illustrate empathy in diverse contexts.
  • Distribute the exit ticket to assess understanding of empathy in action.

Step 6

Week 6: Emotional Intelligence

45 mins

  • Provide the reading material 'Understanding Emotions'.
  • Show the video Emotional Intelligence.
  • Discuss the concept of emotional intelligence and its components.
  • Engage students in activities that promote active listening and open communication.
  • Explore how emotional intelligence can vary across cultures.
  • Distribute the exit ticket to assess understanding of emotional intelligence.

Step 7

Week 7: Building Cultural Competence

45 mins

  • Explore the connection between empathy and cultural competence.
  • Show the video How to Break the Ice.
  • Discuss how understanding diverse perspectives can lead to better social interactions.
  • Encourage students to reflect on their own cultural experiences and biases.
  • Use specific cultural examples to highlight differences and similarities.
  • Distribute the exit ticket to assess understanding of cultural competence.

Step 8

Week 8: Reflection & Closure

45 mins

  • Recap the key points discussed throughout the series.
  • Show the video How to Move On and Find Closure.
  • Encourage students to practice empathy and self-regulation in their interactions.
  • Reflect on personal growth and set goals for continued emotional development.
  • Discuss how cultural awareness can enhance personal growth.
  • Distribute the exit ticket to assess overall understanding and personal growth.

Step 9

Group Project: Emotions & Empathy Showcase

45 mins

  • Divide students into small groups and assign them a project to create a presentation or creative piece (e.g., skit, poster, video) that explores emotions and empathy.
  • Provide guidelines and resources to help them brainstorm and develop their projects.
  • Encourage the inclusion of cultural examples in their projects.
  • Allow time for groups to present their projects to the class, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.
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Worksheet

Emotions & Coping Skills

This worksheet helps students identify their emotional triggers and develop coping strategies. It encourages self-reflection and sharing to enhance understanding and empathy.

List three emotions you often experience and describe what triggers them.

Think about situations or interactions that lead to these emotions.







Identify two coping skills you can use for each emotion listed above.

Consider relaxation, distraction, movement, or thinking skills.







Reflect on a recent situation where you managed your emotions well. What did you do?

Describe the situation, your feelings, and the coping skills you used.







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Discussion

Empathy & Cultural Competence

This discussion explores the concept of empathy and its importance in cultural competence. Students will discuss how empathy can help them understand and respect diverse backgrounds.

What is the difference between empathy and sympathy?

Use examples from the video to illustrate the differences.







How can empathy help us understand people from different cultures?

Discuss how taking the perspective of others can lead to better cultural understanding.







Share a time when you felt empathy for someone. How did it affect your actions?

Encourage students to think about how empathy influenced their behavior and relationships.







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Reading

Understanding Emotions

This reading provides insights into the nature of emotions and how they can be managed effectively. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding to emotions in a healthy way.

Understanding Emotions

Emotions are a natural part of our lives, influencing how we think and act. They can be powerful and sometimes overwhelming, but learning to manage them is crucial for personal well-being and social interactions.

Recognizing Emotions

  • Emotions can be triggered by various situations, such as stress, relationships, or changes in our environment.
  • Identifying what we feel and why is the first step in managing emotions effectively.

Responding to Emotions

  • Once we recognize our emotions, we can choose how to respond. This might involve using coping skills like deep breathing, talking to someone, or engaging in a calming activity.
  • It's important to remember that all emotions are valid, but how we express them can impact ourselves and others.

Building Emotional Intelligence

  • Emotional intelligence involves understanding our own emotions and those of others. It helps us navigate social situations and build strong, empathetic relationships.
  • Practicing empathy, active listening, and open communication are key components of emotional intelligence.

By understanding and managing our emotions, we can improve our mental health and foster positive interactions with those around us.

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Quiz

Week 1 Exit Ticket

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Week 2 Exit Ticket

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Week 3 Exit Ticket

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Week 4 Exit Ticket

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Week 5 Exit Ticket

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Week 6 Exit Ticket

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Week 7 Exit Ticket

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Week 8 Exit Ticket

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