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Empathy Expedition

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Terri Arnold

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Empathy Expedition Lesson Plan

Students will practice empathy by sharing personal stories and participating in role-reversal exercises to understand diverse perspectives and enhance emotional awareness.

Cultivating empathy empowers students to appreciate others’ experiences, improve social skills, foster inclusivity, and reduce conflict in the school community.

Audience

Middle School Students (Grades 6–8)

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive storytelling and role-play to foster perspective-taking.

Materials

  • Empathy Expedition Slide Deck, - Storytelling Activity Guide, - Role-Reversal Activity Guide, - Timer, and - Pens and Paper

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the Empathy Expedition Slide Deck
  • Print enough copies of the Storytelling Activity Guide for each student
  • Print enough copies of the Role-Reversal Activity Guide
  • Arrange seating in a semi-circle to promote open discussion

Step 1

Introduction to Empathy

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and introduce the concept of empathy
  • Use slides 1–3 of the Empathy Expedition Slide Deck to define empathy and its importance
  • Explain today’s activities and goals

Step 2

Storytelling Activity

20 minutes

  • Distribute the Storytelling Activity Guide
  • Ask students to spend 5 minutes writing a brief story about a personal experience that evoked emotion
  • Pair up students to share their stories for 7 minutes, encouraging active listening and clarifying questions
  • Reconvene and invite 2–3 volunteers to summarize their partner’s story to the class

Step 3

Role-Reversal Exercise

20 minutes

  • Hand out the Role-Reversal Activity Guide
  • Divide students into small groups and assign each group a scenario (e.g., new student in class, resolving a conflict)
  • In each group, students take turns acting out both roles for 10 minutes, practicing perspective-taking
  • After each role-play, group members give positive feedback and discuss feelings experienced

Step 4

Reflection and Discussion

15 minutes

  • Provide each student with paper and pens
  • Prompt students to write a short reflection: “How did you feel in each role? What did you learn?” (5 minutes)
  • Lead a whole-class discussion using slides 10–12: highlight key takeaways and encourage students to share insights
  • Conclude by summarizing how empathy can be applied daily in school and at home
lenny

Slide Deck

Empathy Expedition: Walking in Others’ Shoes

An adventure in understanding others’ feelings and perspectives
Grade Levels: 6–8 | Duration: 60 minutes

Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce yourself and set a positive tone. Encourage curiosity.

What Is Empathy?

• Empathy means understanding how someone else feels
• It’s different from sympathy – you step into their shoes, not just feel sorry
• Empathy helps us connect with others

Define empathy in simple language. Ask students if they’ve ever felt misunderstood.

Why Is Empathy Important?

• Builds stronger friendships
• Reduces bullying and conflicts
• Helps us support people who are different
• Makes our school a kinder place

Explain why empathy matters. Relate benefits to students’ daily life at school.

How Do We Practice Empathy?

  1. Listen with full attention
  2. Ask questions like “How are you feeling?”
  3. Imagine how you’d feel in their situation
  4. Show kindness in your words and actions

Share simple strategies. Encourage students to add their own ideas.

Activity 1: Storytelling

• Write a short story about a time you felt strong emotion
• Spend 5 minutes writing on your own
• Pair up and share for 7 minutes each
• Listen actively and ask clarifying questions

Introduce the storytelling activity. Explain time limits and what to hand out.

Storytelling Tips

• Be honest and descriptive
• Use “I felt…” statements
• Respect your partner’s story by listening without interrupting
• After listening, summarize in your own words

Display tips to guide students’ writing and sharing.

Activity 2: Role-Reversal

• In groups of 3–4, choose a scenario
• Take turns acting both roles (person A and person B)
• Spend 5 minutes in each role
• After each role-play, share how you felt

Transition to role-reversal. Explain group formation and scenario assignment.

Example Scenarios

  1. Welcoming a new student in class
  2. Resolving a disagreement over a game
  3. Asking for help when struggling with homework
  4. Comforting someone who’s upset

Offer examples of scenarios to help students get started.

Reflection Prompts

• How did it feel to be in each role?
• What surprised you about the other person’s perspective?
• What did you learn about yourself?
• How can you use empathy every day?

Guide students into reflection. Emphasize honest self-expression.

Key Takeaways

• Empathy is stepping into someone else’s shoes
• Active listening and open questions help us understand
• Role-play and storytelling strengthen empathy skills
• Small acts of empathy can make a big difference

Summarize the main lessons. Encourage students to share aloud.

Putting Empathy into Action

• Notice when someone seems sad or left out
• Offer to listen or help without judgment
• Use “I understand how you feel” statements
• Practice empathy with family and friends

Challenge students to apply empathy. Suggest next steps in class or at home.

Thank You!

Empathy Expedition complete. Keep exploring others’ feelings every day!
Questions? Comments?

Thank students for their participation. Invite final questions and feedback.

lenny

Activity

Empathy Storytelling Activity Guide

Overview

In this activity, students will craft and share a short personal story that highlights an emotional experience. The goal is to practice active listening, step into someone else’s feelings, and strengthen empathy skills.

Materials

  • Paper or journal
  • Pen or pencil
  • Timer

Time Needed

20 minutes total:

  • 5 minutes writing
  • 14 minutes sharing and questions
  • 1 minute transition

Steps

  1. Introduce the Activity (1 minute)

    • Explain that they will write a brief story about a time they felt a strong emotion and then share it with a partner.
    • Emphasize the importance of honest details and active listening.

  2. Writing Phase (5 minutes)

    • Prompt students to write for five uninterrupted minutes.
    • Encourage them to use descriptive language and “I felt…” statements.

  3. Pair Sharing (14 minutes)

    • Divide the class into pairs.
    • Each student has 7 minutes: 5 minutes to share and 2 minutes for partner questions.
    • Partners should use the sharing guidelines to ask open-ended questions and summarize what they’ve heard.
    • After both partners share, invite volunteers to summarize their partner’s story aloud.

  4. Transition to Next Activity (1 minute)

    • Collect guides and prepare for the Role-Reversal Exercise.

Writing Prompts

Use these questions to guide your story:

  • What happened? Describe the setting, people, and events.
  • How did you feel in that moment? (Use “I felt…”)
  • Why was that emotion so strong or memorable?
  • How did you react, and what did you learn afterward?







Sharing Guidelines

  • Listen Fully: No interruptions.
  • Body Language: Face your partner, maintain eye contact, and nod.
  • Ask Open-ended Questions: e.g., “How did that make you feel?” or “What did you think next?”
  • Summarize: Restate your partner’s story in your own words before giving feedback.







Reflection Questions (for class debrief)

  • How did it feel to share your story with someone else?
  • What new insight did you gain about your partner’s experience?
  • Which question helped you understand their feelings the most?
  • How might you use active listening and empathy in your daily life?













lenny
lenny

Activity

Empathy Role-Reversal Activity Guide

Overview

Students will step into each other’s roles in real-life scenarios to practice perspective-taking, identify emotions, and give constructive feedback. This builds deeper understanding of others’ experiences.

Materials

  • Printed scenario cards (one per group)
  • Role-Reversal Reflection Sheet (optional for notes)
  • Timer or stopwatch
  • Pens and paper

Time Needed

20 minutes total:

  • 2 minutes: scenario assignment
  • 5 minutes: Role-play Round 1
  • 3 minutes: group feedback
  • 5 minutes: Role-play Round 2 (switch roles)
  • 3 minutes: group feedback
  • 2 minutes: transition and debrief

Steps

  1. Introduce & Organize (2 minutes)

    • Explain that each group will act out a scenario twice, switching roles midway.
    • Emphasize respect, active listening, and using “I felt…” statements.
    • Divide students into pairs or triads and distribute one scenario card per group.

  2. Role-Play Round 1 (5 minutes)

    • Assign one student as Person A and the other as Person B. (Triads: third student observes.)
    • Enact the scenario for 3–4 minutes, staying in character.
    • Observers note body language, tone, and emotions expressed.

  3. Group Feedback (3 minutes)

    • Each student (and observer) shares:
      • What emotion did you notice in each role?
      • What verbal or nonverbal cue helped you understand that feeling?
    • Keep feedback positive and specific.

  4. Role-Play Round 2 (5 minutes)

    • Swap roles: Person A becomes Person B and vice versa; observers remain.
    • Repeat the enactment.

  5. Group Feedback (3 minutes)

    • Compare experiences in each role:
      • How did your feelings change when you switched?
      • What surprised you about stepping into the other person’s shoes?

  6. Whole-Class Debrief & Transition (2 minutes)

    • Ask one or two groups to share key insights with the class.
    • Collect any notes and prepare for the reflection writing.

Example Scenarios

  1. Welcoming a New Student: One student is new and shy; the other is a classmate offering friendship.
  2. Resolving a Game Dispute: Two friends disagree over rules in a playground game.
  3. Asking for Homework Help: One student is frustrated with homework; the other offers assistance.
  4. Comforting a Friend: One student is upset about a family issue; the other tries to provide support.

Reflection Questions

After the role-plays, have students write short answers:

1. How did you feel in each role?






2. What surprised you about the other person’s perspective?






3. Which role was harder to play and why?






4. How can you use this experience to show empathy in real life?










By actively switching roles and reflecting on feelings, students will strengthen their empathy skills and learn to appreciate multiple viewpoints.

lenny
lenny