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Empathy Beats

Lesson Plan

Empathy Beats Lesson Plan

Students will practice understanding peers’ feelings and perspectives through discussion and role-play, then collaborate to write and perform a class rap promoting kindness and respect.

Building empathy helps students form positive relationships, resolve conflicts peacefully, and create an inclusive classroom culture. The rap activity engages diverse learners through creativity and cooperation.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Discussion, role-play, and group rap-writing

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

  • Pose the question: “What does empathy mean to you?” and record student responses on the board
  • Introduce why understanding others’ feelings matters in school and beyond
  • Highlight two key empathy strategies: active listening and perspective-taking

Step 2

Scenario Role-Play

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Empathy Scenarios Handout to pairs
  • In pairs, students read a scenario, then role-play each character while practicing active listening and sharing feelings
  • Rotate roles so each student practices both listening and sharing perspectives

Step 3

Collaborative Rap Writing

10 minutes

  • Display the Rap Lyric Template and open the Class Rap Collaborative Doc
  • As a class, brainstorm words and phrases related to kindness, respect, and empathy; record on board
  • In small groups, students draft 2–4 lines of rap lyrics using brainstormed terms and empathy strategies
  • Groups paste their lines into the collaborative doc, then refine rhyme and rhythm together

Step 4

Performance and Reflection

8 minutes

  • Play the empathy beat track; groups or volunteers perform the class rap using the collaborative doc as reference
  • After performances, facilitate a quick reflection: “How did writing and performing this rap help you think about empathy?”
  • Summarize key takeaways and encourage students to apply empathy strategies in daily interactions
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Slide Deck

Empathy Beats

Getting Along with Others through Empathy and Rap
• 7th Grade, 30-minute lesson
• Explore feelings, active listening, perspective-taking, and create a class rap

Welcome students and introduce today’s focus on empathy through discussion, role-play, and rap.

What Is Empathy?

Prompt: “What does empathy mean to you?”
• Share a time you felt understood
• Discuss why understanding others’ feelings helps us connect

Ask volunteers to share their definitions of empathy and record responses. Highlight why empathy matters.

Key Empathy Strategies

  1. Active Listening: Give your full attention, reflect back feelings
  2. Perspective-Taking: Imagine someone else’s feelings and point of view

Define and model each strategy. Invite students to practice with a partner.

Scenario Role-Play

• Grab your Empathy Scenarios Handout
• In pairs, read a scenario and discuss how each character feels
• Practice active listening and perspective-taking
• Switch roles and repeat with another scenario

Distribute the handout. Circulate to ensure pairs practice both listening and speaking roles.

Rap Lyric Template

• View the Rap Lyric Template
• Brainstorm words/phrases about kindness, respect, empathy; record on board
• In small groups, draft 2–4 rap lines using those terms
• Paste your lines into the Class Rap Collaborative Doc

Project the template and open the collaborative doc. Guide the brainstorming, then let each group draft lyrics.

Performance Prompt

• Play the Empathy Beat track
• Groups or volunteers perform the class rap
• Use the collaborative doc as your lyric sheet

Queue the empathy beat track. Encourage students to focus on message rather than perfection.

Reflection & Closing

Reflection Questions:
• How did writing and performing the rap deepen your understanding of empathy?
• Which empathy strategy did you use most?
• How will you apply empathy in school this week?

Lead a brief debrief. Encourage students to set one empathy goal for the week.

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Worksheet

Empathy Scenarios Handout

Instructions

Work with your partner to read each scenario. For each character:

  1. Identify how they might feel.
  2. Decide what you could say or do to show empathy and support.

Write your responses in the spaces provided.

Scenario 1: The Forgotten Project Partner

Alex and Jordan were assigned to work on a science project together. On the day of their presentation, Jordan realizes Alex never showed up to help or share their ideas. Now Jordan feels nervous and unprepared.

  1. How might Jordan be feeling?






  1. What could Alex say or do now to show understanding and help Jordan?






Scenario 2: The New Student at Lunch

Sara just moved to town and is eating lunch alone. A group of classmates nearby hears her sigh and notices she seems sad.

  1. How might Sara be feeling?






  1. What could you and your friends say or do to include Sara and show empathy?






Scenario 3: The Teased Backpack

During recess, Mark drops his backpack on the playground, and some kids start teasing him about it. Mark looks embarrassed and asks them to stop.

  1. How might Mark be feeling?






  1. What could a bystander say or do to stand up for Mark and show empathy?






Reflection

After you finish, share your thoughts with your partner and practice role-playing each response. Use active listening and perspective-taking as you speak and respond.

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Lesson Plan

Empathy Beats Lesson Plan

Students will explore and practice empathy through active listening and perspective-taking, then collaborate to write and perform a class rap that promotes kindness and respect.

Developing empathy fosters positive relationships, reduces conflict, and builds an inclusive classroom culture. Using a rap activity engages diverse learners, boosts creativity, and reinforces social skills in a fun, memorable way.

Audience

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Discussion, role-play, group rap-writing

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

  • Ask: “What does empathy mean to you?” and record responses on the board
  • Highlight why understanding others’ feelings matters in school and beyond
  • Introduce two key strategies: active listening and perspective-taking

Step 2

Scenario Role-Play

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Empathy Scenarios Handout to pairs
  • Partners read a scenario and identify characters’ feelings
  • Role-play each character, practicing active listening and sharing perspectives
  • Rotate roles so each student practices both listening and speaking

Step 3

Collaborative Rap Writing

10 minutes

  • Display the Rap Lyric Template and open the Class Rap Collaborative Doc
  • As a class, brainstorm words/phrases about kindness, respect, and empathy; record on board
  • In small groups, draft 2–4 lines of rap lyrics using brainstormed terms and empathy strategies
  • Paste group lines into the collaborative doc and refine rhyme and rhythm together

Step 4

Performance and Reflection

8 minutes

  • Play the Empathy Beat track; groups or volunteers perform the class rap using the collaborative doc as a guide
  • Facilitate reflection: “How did writing and performing this rap help you think about empathy?”
  • Ask: “Which empathy strategy did you use most? How will you apply empathy in school this week?”
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Worksheet

Rap Lyric Template

Instructions

Use the brainstormed words and phrases about kindness, respect, and empathy to craft your rap. Focus on rhyme, rhythm, and a clear message that shows understanding and support.

1. Brainstorm Box

List 5–7 empathy or kindness words/phrases you might include in your rap:







2. Verse (2–4 lines)

Each line should use at least one empathy word or phrase. Aim to rhyme line 2 with line 4.

























3. Chorus (2–4 lines)

Repeat or highlight a key empathy message. Keep it catchy and memorable.

























4. Rhyme & Emphasis Notes

  • Circle or underline the words that rhyme: ___________________________






  • Highlight or star the empathy words/phrases: ________________________






5. Performance Tips

  • Practice flowing with the beat: _____________________________________






  • Use vocal tone and gestures to emphasize empathy: _________________






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Cool Down

Empathy Reflection Exit Ticket

Name: _________________________ Date: ___________

  1. In your own words, what does empathy mean?





  2. Describe one moment from today’s lesson when you used active listening or perspective-taking. What did you say or do?










  3. How will you show empathy with classmates or family tomorrow? Be specific.





  4. One key takeaway I’ll remember from our Empathy Beats rap activity is:











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