Lesson Plan
Empathy Role-Play Guide
Guide 6th graders to practice empathy through structured role-play and perspective-taking activities, enabling them to recognize and respond to peers’ emotions using CASEL’s social awareness framework.
Cultivating empathy enhances students’ social awareness, strengthens peer relationships, and fosters a supportive classroom culture. This toolkit builds essential SEL skills for conflict resolution and teamwork.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up Discussion
10 minutes
Step 2
Perspective-Taking Activity
15 minutes
Step 3
Role-Play Scenarios
20 minutes
Step 4
Group Debrief
10 minutes
Step 5
Reflection and Assessment
5 minutes

Slide Deck
Walk in Their Shoes
What is Empathy?
Why Empathy Matters
CASEL’s Five Competencies
Social Awareness: Empathy
Discussion Prompt

Activity


Discussion


Rubric

