Lesson Plan
Empathy: Feel With Me
Students will be able to define empathy and identify situations where it can be applied to understand and share the feelings of others.
Understanding empathy helps students develop stronger interpersonal relationships, resolve conflicts peacefully, and contribute to a more supportive and inclusive classroom and community.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through guided discussion and interactive scenario analysis.
Materials
Digital Projector or Interactive Whiteboard, Empathy Slide Deck, Empathy Discussion Script, and Empathy Scenarios Worksheet
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Empathy Slide Deck and ensure all technological components are ready.
- Read through the Empathy Discussion Script to familiarize yourself with the discussion points and questions.
- Print enough copies of the Empathy Scenarios Worksheet for each student or prepare for digital distribution.
- Arrange classroom seating to facilitate small group discussions, if possible.
- Review all generated materials as needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Feeling Check-In
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick 'feeling check-in' where students can share (voluntarily) one word that describes how they are feeling today. No need for explanations.
- Transition by asking students to briefly consider how they might know how a classmate is feeling without them saying anything. (This sets the stage for non-verbal cues and understanding others).
- Introduce the lesson title: Empathy: Feel With Me.
Step 2
Introduction to Empathy
5 minutes
- Use the Empathy Slide Deck to introduce the concept of empathy.
- Present the definition of empathy: 'The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.'
- Discuss the difference between empathy and sympathy using examples.
- Engage students with questions from the Empathy Discussion Script to gauge their initial understanding and experiences with empathy.
Step 3
Exploring Empathy Through Scenarios
10 minutes
- Distribute the Empathy Scenarios Worksheet to each student or display scenarios on the board.
- Divide students into small groups (2-3 students).
- Each group will read through 1-2 scenarios and discuss: 'How might the person in this scenario be feeling?' and 'What could you do or say to show empathy?'
- Circulate among groups, providing guidance and prompting deeper thinking as outlined in the Empathy Discussion Script.
Step 4
Group Share and Discussion
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Have each group share one scenario and their empathetic responses with the whole class.
- Facilitate a brief discussion on common themes, challenges, and successful strategies for showing empathy. Refer to the Empathy Discussion Script for prompts.
Step 5
Cool-Down: Empathy Reflection
5 minutes
- Ask students to complete the Empathy Reflection Cool-Down.
- Prompt students to reflect on one new thing they learned about empathy or one way they plan to practice empathy in the coming week.
- Collect cool-down tickets or have students share briefly if time permits. Conclude by reiterating the power of empathy in building a kinder community.
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Slide Deck
Empathy: Feel With Me
Understanding Feelings, Building Connections
How do you know what someone else is feeling?
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Explain that today we'll be exploring what it means to truly understand others.
What is Empathy?
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
It's about trying to see the world from someone else's perspective.
Present the definition of empathy. Emphasize 'understanding' and 'sharing' feelings. Ask students for initial thoughts or examples.
Empathy vs. Sympathy
Sympathy: Feeling pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune.
Empathy: Feeling with someone; understanding their emotions as if you were experiencing them yourself.
Clarify the difference between empathy and sympathy. Use simple examples. Sympathy is feeling for someone, empathy is feeling with someone.
Why Does Empathy Matter?
- Stronger Friendships: You can better support your friends.
- Better Problem Solving: You understand different viewpoints.
- Kinder Classrooms: Creates a more supportive environment.
- A More Peaceful World: Less conflict, more understanding.
Discuss why empathy is important in our daily lives, in school, and with friends/family. Connect it to building a positive community.
How Can We Practice Empathy?
- Listen Actively: Pay attention to what they're saying and how they're saying it.
- Observe Body Language: What do their face and body tell you?
- Ask Questions: "How are you feeling?" "Is there anything I can do?"
- Imagine Yourself: "If I were in their shoes, how would I feel?"
Explain practical ways students can show empathy. Focus on active listening and observing non-verbal cues.
Scenario Time!
Let's put our empathy skills to the test!
Work in small groups to discuss different situations.
Introduce the scenario activity. Explain that they will work in groups to apply their understanding of empathy.
Reflect & Connect
One thing I learned about empathy today is...
One way I can practice empathy this week is...
Encourage students to reflect on what they've learned and how they can apply it.
Script
Empathy Discussion Script
Warm-Up: Feeling Check-In (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon everyone! Let's start with a quick check-in. Without needing to explain, just think of one word that describes how you are feeling right now. You can share it with the class if you feel comfortable, or just keep it in your mind. Take a moment to think."
(Allow a few voluntary shares, modeling if necessary.)
Teacher: "Thank you for sharing, or for thinking about it. Now, think about this: how do you sometimes know how a classmate or a friend is feeling, even if they don't say anything at all? Maybe you see it in their face, or how they're sitting. Take a moment to consider that."
(Pause for reflection.)
Teacher: "Today, we're going to dive into understanding those feelings, both our own and others, and learn how we can better connect with each other. Our lesson today is called Empathy: Walk in Their Shoes."
Introduction to Empathy (5 minutes)
Teacher: (Display Empathy Slide Deck - Slide 2: What is Empathy?)
"So, what exactly is empathy? Can anyone tell me in their own words what they think it means?"
(Listen to student responses. Guide them toward the definition.)
Teacher: "That's right! Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It's about trying to see the world from someone else's perspective, almost like putting yourself in their shoes. It's not just knowing what they feel, but genuinely feeling with them."
(Display Empathy Slide Deck - Slide 3: Empathy vs. Sympathy)
"Sometimes, people confuse empathy with sympathy. Sympathy is when you feel pity or sorrow for someone's misfortune. You feel bad for them. Empathy, on the other hand, is when you try to feel with them. You understand their emotions as if you were experiencing them yourself. For example, if your friend is sad because they lost their pet, sympathy would be saying 'I feel so bad for you.' Empathy would be understanding their deep sadness and perhaps remembering a time you felt similar grief, and saying 'I can only imagine how heartbroken you must be right now.'"
Teacher: "Why do you think it's important to understand this difference? Why is it more powerful to be empathetic than just sympathetic?"
Exploring Empathy Through Scenarios (10 minutes)
Teacher: (Distribute Empathy Scenarios Worksheet and display Empathy Slide Deck - Slide 6: Scenario Time!)
"Alright, now let's put our empathy skills to the test! I'm going to hand out a worksheet with a few scenarios. You'll work in small groups of 2-3 people."
"For each scenario, I want you to discuss two things:
- How might the person in this scenario be feeling? (Think about their emotions, body language, and what might be going through their mind.)
- What could you do or say to show empathy? (How can you genuinely connect with their feelings and show you understand?)"
"I'll be walking around to listen in and help if you get stuck. Remember to really try and 'walk in their shoes' for each situation. You have 10 minutes for this activity."
_(Circulate, listen, and offer prompts. Examples of prompts:)
- "What makes you think they might be feeling that way?"
- "What might be another feeling they could be experiencing?"
- "How would you feel if that happened to you?"
- "What's the best way to show you care without making assumptions?"
Group Share and Discussion (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Okay everyone, let's bring it back together. I heard some really insightful discussions happening. Who would like to share one of their scenarios and what your group discussed about how to show empathy?"
(Call on 2-3 groups to share. After each share, facilitate a brief class discussion.)
Teacher: "That's a great example. Why do you think that particular response is empathetic?"
"Did anyone else have a similar scenario or a different way they might approach it?"
Teacher: "What were some common feelings you identified in the scenarios? What were some common ways to show empathy?"
Cool-Down: Empathy Reflection (5 minutes)
Teacher: (Display Empathy Slide Deck - Slide 7: Reflect & Connect and distribute Empathy Reflection Cool-Down)
"To wrap up our lesson today, I want each of you to take a moment to reflect. On this cool-down sheet, please answer these two questions:
- One thing I learned about empathy today is...
- One way I can practice empathy this week is..."
"Take a few minutes to write your thoughts. When you're done, you can place your sheet in the basket by the door."
(Collect cool-down sheets.)
Teacher: "Thank you all for your thoughtful participation today. Remember, practicing empathy isn't always easy, but it's a powerful way to build stronger connections, solve problems, and make our classroom, school, and community a kinder, more understanding place. Let's all try to 'walk in someone else's shoes' a little more this week. Great job everyone!"
Worksheet
Empathy Scenarios Worksheet
Instructions: Read each scenario with your group. Discuss how the person in the scenario might be feeling and what you could do or say to show empathy. Be ready to share your thoughts with the class!
Scenario 1
Your classmate, Alex, usually loves to talk and joke around, but today they are sitting quietly at their desk, staring out the window. When you ask if they're okay, they just shrug and look away.
How might Alex be feeling?
What could you do or say to show empathy?
Scenario 2
During gym class, a new student named Maya accidentally trips and falls in front of everyone while trying to catch a ball. Some kids giggle, and Maya quickly gets up, looking down at her shoes.
How might Maya be feeling?
What could you do or say to show empathy?
Scenario 3
Your best friend, Sam, has been working really hard on a science project for weeks. Today, they found out they didn't get the grade they were hoping for, and you see them looking upset after class.
How might Sam be feeling?
What could you do or say to show empathy?
Cool Down
Empathy Reflection Cool-Down
Instructions: Please answer the following questions to reflect on what we learned about empathy today.
-
One thing I learned about empathy today is...
-
One way I can practice empathy this week is...
Thank you for sharing your reflections!