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Empathy and Kindness Workshop

Lesson Plan

Empathy and Kindness Workshop

Build empathy through understanding words

In this lesson, students will engage in activities designed to build empathy by understanding the feelings associated with kind and unkind words. They will participate in discussions, role-playing, and create a 'kindness pledge' for their class. This lesson is important as it helps students develop social-emotional skills, fostering a positive classroom environment and encouraging respectful interactions.

Audience

2nd Grade Students

Time

45 mins

Approach

Build empathy through understanding words

Materials

Post-it notes, Markers, Chart paper, Kindness Pledge Worksheet, and Empathy Discussion Questions

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

  • Begin with a brief discussion on what empathy means.
  • Ask students to share examples of kind and unkind words they have heard.

Step 2

Activity: Word Impact

10 mins

  • Distribute post-it notes and markers to each student.
  • Ask students to write down a kind word or phrase on one note and an unkind word or phrase on another.
  • Collect the notes and read them aloud, discussing how each word might make someone feel.

Step 3

Discussion: Empathy

10 mins

  • Use the Empathy Discussion Questions to guide a conversation about how words affect emotions.
  • Encourage students to share personal experiences and feelings.

Step 4

Role-Playing

10 mins

  • Divide students into small groups.
  • Assign each group a scenario where they must act out a situation involving kind and unkind words.
  • After each role-play, discuss as a class how the situation could be handled with empathy.

Step 5

Create a Kindness Pledge

5 mins

  • Provide each student with the Kindness Pledge Worksheet.
  • Guide them in writing a pledge that includes promises to use kind words and show empathy.
  • Collect the pledges to create a class poster.

Step 6

Closure

5 mins

  • Recap the importance of empathy and kind words.
  • Encourage students to practice their pledges daily.
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Discussion

Empathy Discussion Questions

A set of questions to guide a discussion on empathy and the impact of words.

How do you feel when someone says something kind to you?

Encourage students to think about specific instances and describe their emotions.







What can we do if we hear someone using unkind words?

Discuss strategies like speaking up, offering support, or seeking help from an adult.







Why is it important to think before we speak?

Highlight the impact words can have on others' feelings and relationships.







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Worksheet

Kindness Pledge Worksheet

A worksheet for students to create their own kindness pledge, focusing on using kind words and showing empathy.

Write down three kind words you promise to use every day.








Describe one way you will show empathy to your classmates.








What is one thing you can do to make someone feel better if they are upset?








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