Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan
Students will practice empathic skills by recognizing emotions, engaging in role-play simulations, and reflecting on healthy communication strategies to strengthen peer relationships and reduce conflict.
Developing empathy and emotion recognition supports students in building stronger social connections, resolving conflicts, and fostering self-awareness essential for academic and personal success.
Audience
9th Grade
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive activities and guided reflection.
Materials
- Emotions Chart Poster, - Emotion Cards Deck, - Role-Play Scenarios Set, - Empathy Reflection Worksheet, - Whiteboard and Markers, - Timer or Stopwatch, and - Reward Tokens or Stickers (Optional)
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and display Emotions Chart Poster.
- Print and cut out Emotion Cards Deck.
- Print, laminate, and sort Role-Play Scenarios Set.
- Make copies of Empathy Reflection Worksheet for each student.
- Review all scenarios and cards to ensure familiarity.
- Set up whiteboard, markers, and timer where all students can see.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Emotion Check-In
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle and introduce the goal of strengthening empathy and communication.
- Display the Emotions Chart Poster prominently.
- Ask each student to indicate their current emotion by pointing to the chart.
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to briefly share why they chose that emotion.
Step 2
Activity 1: Emotion Recognition
15 minutes
- Divide students into pairs or small groups.
- Give each group a shuffled Emotion Cards Deck.
- Students take turns drawing a card and naming the emotion shown.
- Group discusses facial and body cues that reveal each emotion.
- Teacher circulates, asks guiding questions: "What clues helped you?" "When have you felt this way?"
Step 3
Activity 2: Empathy Role-Play
15 minutes
- Keep students in pairs and distribute one scenario from the Role-Play Scenarios Set to each.
- Student A reads their scenario and describes how they feel in character.
- Student B practices active listening, uses "I hear you…" and asks clarifying questions.
- After 7 minutes, students switch roles or take a new scenario.
- Encourage use of empathic statements: "I feel… because…" or "It sounds like…"
Step 4
Group Discussion
5 minutes
- Reconvene as a whole class around the whiteboard.
- Ask: "What did you notice when recognizing emotions?" and "How did it feel to listen empathetically?"
- Write key takeaways on the board (e.g., active listening, nonverbal cues).
- Highlight effective communication strategies students share.
Step 5
Reflection Worksheet
3 minutes
- Hand out the Empathy Reflection Worksheet.
- Students complete two prompts: "One insight I gained…" and "One way I will show empathy…".
- Collect worksheets for quick review or have students keep them as reminders.
Step 6
Cool-Down and Closing
2 minutes
- Invite 1–2 volunteers to share their reflection aloud.
- Thank students for their participation and encourage them to practice empathy today.
- Optionally, distribute reward tokens or stickers for effort and engagement.
Slide Deck
Empathy Explorers
Tier 2 Session • 9th Grade • 45 minutes
Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and the session, set a positive tone. Explain that today we’ll explore empathy and social-emotional skills through interactive activities.
Session Objectives
• Recognize and name a variety of emotions
• Practice active, empathetic listening
• Reflect on strategies to show empathy
Read aloud each objective and connect to students’ daily experiences (e.g., resolving conflicts).
Why Empathy Matters
• Builds stronger peer relationships
• Reduces conflicts and misunderstandings
• Fosters self-awareness and emotional well-being
Highlight how empathy leads to stronger friendships, less conflict, and better self-awareness.
Agenda
- Warm-Up: Emotion Check-In (5 min)
- Activity 1: Emotion Recognition (15 min)
- Activity 2: Empathy Role-Play (15 min)
- Group Discussion (5 min)
- Reflection & Closing (5 min)
Briefly walk through the flow of today’s session, noting time allocations.
Warm-Up: Emotion Check-In
- Gather in a circle and view the Emotions Chart Poster.
- Each student points to the emotion that best describes how they feel.
- 2–3 volunteers briefly share why they chose that emotion.
Invite students to sit in a circle. Display the chart and guide them through pointing and sharing.
Exploring the Emotions Chart
• The chart groups feelings into broad categories and more specific emotions.
• Notice facial expressions, body language, and context.
• Refer to this chart during all activities.
Explain the structure of the chart: primary vs. nuanced emotions, cues to notice.
Activity 1: Emotion Recognition
• In pairs/small groups, use the Emotion Cards Deck.
• Take turns drawing a card and naming the emotion.
• Discuss facial/body cues and share a personal memory of that feeling.
Demonstrate drawing a card and modeling naming and cue-spotting. Encourage students to share examples.
Activity 2: Empathy Role-Play
• Stay in pairs; each pair gets one scenario from the Role-Play Scenarios Set.
• Student A reads and describes emotions; Student B practices active listening.
• Switch roles after 7 minutes. Use phrases like “I hear you…” or “It sounds like…”
Model an empathetic response and emphasize “I hear you…” statements.
Group Discussion
• What clues helped you recognize emotions?
• How did it feel to listen empathetically?
• Share one communication strategy that worked well.
Capture key student responses on the board under headings “Emotion Recognition” and “Empathetic Listening.”
Reflection
Complete the Empathy Reflection Worksheet:
- One insight I gained today…
- One way I will show empathy…
Explain the two prompts and encourage thoughtful answers. Collect or let students keep them.
Closing & Next Steps
• Invite 1–2 volunteers to share reflections aloud.
• Encourage role-playing empathy in real interactions.
• Distribute reward tokens or stickers for participation (optional).
Thank students, reinforce applying these skills throughout the day, and optionally hand out tokens.
Reading
Emotions Chart Poster
Primary Emotions and Nuanced Examples
1. Happiness
- Nuanced Emotions: Joy, Excitement, Contentment, Pride
- Nonverbal Cues: Smiling mouth, relaxed brows, bright eyes, open posture
2. Sadness
- Nuanced Emotions: Disappointment, Loneliness, Guilt, Grief
- Nonverbal Cues: Downturned mouth, drooping shoulders, slow movements, teary eyes
3. Anger
- Nuanced Emotions: Frustration, Irritation, Rage, Resentment
- Nonverbal Cues: Furrowed brows, clenched jaw, tense muscles, flushed face
4. Fear
- Nuanced Emotions: Anxiety, Nervousness, Alarm, Panic
- Nonverbal Cues: Wide eyes, raised eyebrows, trembling, frozen posture
5. Surprise
- Nuanced Emotions: Shock, Amazement, Astonishment, Confusion
- Nonverbal Cues: Raised eyebrows, open mouth, backward head tilt, widened eyes
6. Disgust
- Nuanced Emotions: Contempt, Revulsion, Disdain, Aversion
- Nonverbal Cues: Wrinkled nose, raised upper lip, squinted eyes, head turned away
How to Use This Poster
- During Warm-Up, point to the emotion you’re feeling now.
- In Emotion Recognition, look for these nonverbal cues in your partner’s expressions.
- Refer back here in Role-Play to choose empathic responses based on what you observe.
(Keep this chart visible throughout all activities to guide emotion naming and cue spotting.)
Activity
Emotion Cards Deck
Below are 24 emotion cards. Print, cut, and shuffle before the activity. Each card lists an emotion and key facial/body cues to help students recognize feelings.
| Emotion | Facial/Body Cues |
|---|---|
| Joy | Smiling mouth, bright eyes, relaxed posture |
| Excitement | Wide eyes, raised eyebrows, open mouth, animated gestures |
| Contentment | Soft smile, relaxed shoulders, calm breathing |
| Pride | Chin up, slight smile, hands on hips, straight posture |
| Disappointment | Downturned mouth, slumped shoulders, sighing |
| Loneliness | Eyes cast down, hunched posture, lack of eye contact |
| Guilt | Avoiding gaze, slumped posture, fidgeting |
| Grief | Tear-filled eyes, trembling, hunched over |
| Frustration | Furrowed brows, clenched jaw, tense shoulders |
| Irritation | Tight lips, eye roll, crossed arms |
| Rage | Flushed face, clenched fists, aggressive posture |
| Resentment | Cold stare, clenched jaw, crossed arms |
| Anxiety | Furrowed brows, fidgeting, shallow breathing |
| Nervousness | Biting lip, foot tapping, tense posture |
| Alarm | Wide eyes, open mouth, sudden stiff posture |
| Panic | Rapid breathing, wide eyes, frantic gestures |
| Shock | Raised eyebrows, open mouth, hands to face |
| Amazement | Eyes wide, jaw dropped slightly, lean forward |
| Astonishment | Mouth open, eyebrows high, still posture |
| Confusion | Tilted head, furrowed brows, scratching head |
| Contempt | Sneer, one corner of lip raised, eyes squinted |
| Revulsion | Wrinkled nose, pursed lips, head turned away |
| Disdain | Raised eyebrow, slight sneer, turned-away gaze |
| Aversion | Head turned back, closed eyes, hand pushing away |
Use these cards in Activity 1: Emotion Recognition. Students draw a card, name the emotion, and discuss what cues helped them identify it.
Activity
Role Play Scenarios Set
Use these eight scenario cards in Activity 2: Empathy Role-Play. Print, cut, and shuffle. Distribute one per pair. Student A reads their card and describes how they feel; Student B practices active listening and empathetic responses (e.g., “I hear you…,” “It sounds like you felt…”).
Scenario 1: Excluded Lunch Group
You went to the cafeteria and saw your usual group of friends eating without you. You feel hurt and left out because you thought you were all close.
Scenario 2: Forgotten Birthday
Your birthday passed last week and none of your classmates mentioned or celebrated it. You feel sad and unimportant, like no one remembers you.
Scenario 3: Criticized in Class
After sharing your idea in class, a classmate made a mocking remark. You feel embarrassed and discouraged to speak up again.
Scenario 4: Family Pressure
Your parents insisted you focus only on academics and got upset when you spent time on your hobby. You feel frustrated and misunderstood.
Scenario 5: Rumor Spreading
You heard that someone started a rumor about you on social media. You feel anxious, angry, and worried about how others now see you.
Scenario 6: Unfair Blame
During a group project, you were wrongly blamed for a mistake. You feel defensive, upset, and unfairly judged.
Scenario 7: Recent Loss
A close family member or pet passed away recently. You feel grief, loneliness, and overwhelmed when thinking about it.
Scenario 8: Unexpected Praise
Your teacher praised your work in front of everyone, and you felt proud—but also nervous that you won’t meet expectations next time.
Worksheet
Empathy Reflection Worksheet
Name: ________________________________ Date: ___________________
-
One insight I gained today about understanding someone else’s feelings is:
-
One way I will show empathy in my daily interactions is:
Feel free to keep this sheet as a reminder to practice empathy each day!
Cool Down
Cool-Down Reflection Exit Ticket
Name: ____________________________ Date: _______________
-
One key takeaway from today’s Empathy Explorers session is:
-
One specific way I will practice empathy before our next class is:
-
I feel confident using my empathetic listening skills today (circle one):
1 – Not confident 2 3 4 5 – Very confident
- Any remaining questions or thoughts I have: