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Empathy in Action

Lesson Plan

Empathy in Action

Understanding and practicing empathy

This lesson focuses on teaching 11th-grade students about empathy and its significance in building strong, supportive communities. Through interactive games and discussions, students will practice seeing things from others' perspectives, which is crucial for developing social-emotional skills and fostering a more inclusive environment.

Audience

11th Grade Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Understanding and practicing empathy

Materials

Discussion Questions, Empathy Scenarios Worksheet, and Printable Empathy Cards

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

  • Begin with a brief introduction to empathy and its importance in everyday life.
  • Ask students to share their understanding of empathy and why it might be important in their lives.

Step 2

Interactive Game

15 mins

  • Organize students into small groups.
  • Distribute the 'Printable Empathy Cards' to each group.
  • Instruct students to take turns picking a card and acting out the scenario while others guess the emotion being portrayed.
  • Discuss as a class how understanding these emotions can help in real-life situations.

Step 3

Discussion

15 mins

  • Use the 'Discussion Questions' attachment to guide a class discussion.
  • Encourage students to share personal experiences where empathy played a role.
  • Discuss how empathy can change interactions and relationships.

Step 4

Empathy Scenarios

15 mins

  • Hand out the 'Empathy Scenarios Worksheet'.
  • Have students work individually or in pairs to complete the worksheet.
  • Ask volunteers to share their responses and discuss different perspectives.

Step 5

Closure

5 mins

  • Summarize the key points discussed in the lesson.
  • Encourage students to practice empathy in their daily interactions.
  • Ask students to reflect on one new thing they learned about empathy today.
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Discussion

Discussion Questions

A set of questions to guide a class discussion on empathy and its impact on relationships.

What does empathy mean to you?

Encourage students to think about empathy in terms of understanding and sharing the feelings of others.







Can you think of a time when someone showed empathy towards you? How did it make you feel?

Guide students to reflect on personal experiences and the positive impact of empathy.







How can empathy change the way we interact with others?

Discuss the role of empathy in improving communication and building stronger relationships.







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Worksheet

Empathy Scenarios Worksheet

A worksheet with scenarios for students to analyze and discuss how empathy can be applied.

Read the scenario: A friend is upset because they failed a test. How can you show empathy?

Consider how you would feel in their situation and what you would want to hear.







Scenario: You see someone being left out during a group activity. What empathetic actions can you take?

Think about how inclusion can make a difference and what steps you can take to include them.







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Worksheet

Printable Empathy Cards

Cards with different emotional scenarios for students to act out and discuss.




You lost your favorite book.







Your friend is moving away.







You didn't get invited to a party.







You won a competition.







You are feeling overwhelmed with homework.




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Empathy in Action • Lenny Learning