Lesson Plan
Empathy in Action Plan
Students will develop self-awareness and empathy by identifying emotions and practicing perspective-taking through bilingual activities in English and Haitian Creole.
This lesson cultivates key SEL skills—recognizing emotions, building empathy across cultures, and fostering a supportive classroom community—critical for students’ emotional well-being and inclusive relationships.
Audience
High School Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive bilingual discussion and role-play
Materials
Bilingual Emotion Cards, Empathy Role-Play Scenarios, SEL Reflection Journal Template, Whiteboard and markers, and Timer
Prep
Material Preparation
10 minutes
- Print and cut out Bilingual Emotion Cards (English/Haitian Creole)
- Review and print Empathy Role-Play Scenarios for each group
- Prepare copies of the SEL Reflection Journal Template
- Arrange desks into small-group clusters
- Test timer and whiteboard markers
Step 1
Hook: Emotion Charades
5 minutes
- Divide students into small groups of 3–4
- Give each group a set of Bilingual Emotion Cards
- One student silently acts out an emotion; peers guess in English or Haitian Creole
- Rotate until each student has acted once
Step 2
Define and Discuss Empathy
5 minutes
- On the whiteboard, write “Empathy / Empati” and its definition in both languages
- Prompt: “What does it feel like when someone truly understands you?” / “Ki santiman lè yon moun vrèman konprann ou?”
- Solicit 2–3 student responses, noting key words bilingually
Step 3
Activity: Role-Play Scenarios
12 minutes
- Assign each group one scenario from Empathy Role-Play Scenarios
- Roles: Speaker (shares feeling), Listener (practices empathy), Observer (notes empathetic phrases used)
- Encourage using both English and Haitian Creole phrases (e.g., “I hear you” / “M’ap tande ou”)
- After 5 minutes, rotate roles so each student practices listener role
Step 4
Reflection and Share-Out
8 minutes
- Distribute the SEL Reflection Journal Template
- Prompt students to write:
- One emotion they identified today / “Youn santiman mwen idantifye jodi a”
- One phrase they used to show empathy / “Yon fraz mwen itilize pou montre empati”
- Ask 2–3 volunteers to share reflections in either language
- Conclude by highlighting the importance of empathy in everyday interactions
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Empathy in Action
30-minute SEL session with bilingual supports in English and Haitian Creole.
Welcome students to our session on empathy. Introduce yourself and explain that over the next 30 minutes we will explore how to identify emotions and practice empathy in both English and Haitian Creole.
Objectives / Objektif
- Develop self-awareness by identifying emotions
- Practice empathy through perspective-taking
- Build relationship skills using English and Haitian Creole
Read each objective aloud. Emphasize that we will learn to recognize emotions, practice perspective-taking, and build stronger relationships.
Materials / Materyèl
- Bilingual Emotion Cards
- Empathy Role-Play Scenarios
- SEL Reflection Journal Template
- Whiteboard and markers
- Timer
Show students each material as you list it. Explain that they will use emotion cards, role-play scenarios, and a reflection journal.
Hook: Emotion Charades / Chares Emosyon
- Divide into groups of 3–4
- Use the Bilingual Emotion Cards
- One student acts out an emotion silently
- Peers guess in English or Kreyòl
- Rotate roles so each student acts
Explain the rules of Emotion Charades. Model one example: act out “surprise” silently and ask students to guess.
Define Empathy / Defini Empati
Empathy / Empati: The ability to understand and share someone else’s feelings.
Discussion Prompt:
“What does it feel like when someone truly understands you?”
“Ki santiman lè yon moun vrèman konprann ou?”
Write “Empathy / Empati” and its definition on the board. Read the discussion prompt and invite responses in either language.
Activity: Role-Play Scenarios
- In your groups, pick a scenario
- Roles:
• Speaker – Shares a feeling
• Listener – Practices empathetic responses
• Observer – Notes empathetic phrases - Use both languages (e.g., “I hear you” / “M’ap tande ou”)
- Rotate roles after 5 minutes
Explain each role clearly. Provide one brief demonstration of Speaker and Listener using both languages. Monitor groups and encourage Kreyòl phrases.
Reflection & Share-Out / Refleksyon & Pataje
- Write in your journal:
• One emotion you identified today
“Youn santiman mwen idantifye jodi a”
• One empathetic phrase you used
“Yon fraz mwen itilize pou montre empati” - Volunteer to share in English or Kreyòl
Distribute journals. Read the writing prompts. Allow time for students to write, then invite volunteers to share in English or Kreyòl.
Practice Empathy Daily / Pratike Empati Chak Jou
Remember: Small acts of understanding make a big difference.
Mèsi! / Thank you!
Summarize the session by reminding students that empathy starts with small actions. Thank them for their participation and encourage daily practice.
Worksheet
Bilingual Emotion Cards
Below is a table of common emotions in English and Haitian Creole with an emoji for visual support. Print, cut into individual cards, and use during the Emotion Charades activity.
| Emotion (English) | Emosyon (Kreyòl) | Emoji |
|---|---|---|
| Happy | Kontan | 😃 |
| Sad | Tris | 😢 |
| Angry | Fache | 😠 |
| Scared | Pè | 😨 |
| Surprised | Sezi | 😲 |
| Disappointed | Desi | 😞 |
| Proud | Fyè | 😊 |
| Confused | Konfonn | 😕 |
| Excited | Eksite | 🤩 |
| Calm | Kalme | 😌 |
| Embarrassed | Jennen | 😳 |
| Tired | Fatige | 😴 |
Reading
Empathy Scenarios
Below are four role-play scenarios reflecting common experiences high school students face. In your group, choose one scenario. Assign roles: Speaker (shares what happened and how they feel), Listener (practices empathetic responses), and Observer (notes phrases of empathy used). Feel free to use both English and Haitian Creole as you practice.
Scenario 1: Feeling Left Out / Santiman pou Izole
English: You overhear your close friend group talking about a party happening this weekend. Although you were once invited to hang out together, nobody mentioned you when planning this outing. You arrive at school feeling hurt and excluded.
Kreyòl: Ou tande gwoup zanmi ou ap pale de yon fèt wikenn sa a. Malgre ou te konn envite yo pase tan ansanm, pèsonn pa di ou anyen lè yo t ap fè plan sa yo. Ou vin lekòl la santi w blese e izole.
Scenario 2: Family Stress / Estrès Ak Fanmi
English: At home, you have many chores—washing dishes, taking care of siblings—plus upcoming tests. You feel torn between helping your family and keeping up with schoolwork. You enter class feeling overwhelmed and anxious.
Kreyòl: Lakay ou gen anpil travay: lave resipyan, okipe ti frè ou yo, ansanm ak tès ki prè pou vini. Ou santi w nan antretan ant ede fanmi w ak akonpli devwa lekòl. Ou antre nan klas la santi w twòp chay ak kè sote.
Scenario 3: Academic Pressure / Presyon Akademik
English: Your parents expect top grades. You studied hard, but your last math test score was lower than usual. You worry they’ll be disappointed and that you’ll let down your teacher and yourself. You feel stressed talking about your performance.
Kreyòl: Paran ou atann w jwenn bon nòt. Ou etidye anpil, men nòt ou nan dènye tès matematik la te pi ba pase nòmal. Ou pè yo pral desi e ke w ap boulvèse pwofesè w ak tèt ou. Ou santi w estrès pou pale sou pèfòmans ou.
Scenario 4: Navigating Identity / Defi Idantite
English: You recently moved from another country and speak more Haitian Creole than English. In class discussions your ideas go unheard or misunderstood. You feel frustrated and question whether you belong.
Kreyòl: Ou fèk sòti yon lòt peyi e ou pale plis Kreyòl pase Anglè. Nan diskisyon klas yo, moun pa tande oswa yo pa konprann ide ou. Ou santi w fristre e ou mande tèt ou si ou adapte.
Next Steps: After reading, each Speaker shares their scenario feelings. Listeners respond with empathetic statements (e.g., “I hear you” / “M’ap tande ou”). Observers note strong empathy phrases. Rotate roles so everyone experiences each part.
Journal
SEL Reflection Journal Template
Use these prompts to reflect on today’s lesson. You may write in English, Haitian Creole, or both.
1. Emotion Identification / Idantifikasyon Santiman
What is one emotion you noticed in yourself or others during today’s activities?
Ki santiman ou remake nan tèt ou oswa nan lòt moun pandan aktivite jodi a?
2. Empathetic Language / Lang Empatik
Write the empathetic phrase you used or heard that felt most meaningful.
Ekri fraz empatik ou te itilize oswa ou te tande ki te gen plis sans pou ou.
3. Personal Connection / Koneksyon Pèsonèl
Describe a real-life situation outside of class where you can practice empathy. How will you respond, and why?
Dekri yon sitiyasyon nan lavi reyèl deyò klas la kote ou ka pratike empati. Kijan w ap reponn, e poukisa?
4. Impact Reflection / Refleksyon sou Enpak
How did practicing empathy affect your feelings or actions today?
Kijan pratike empati te enfliyanse santiman oswa aksyon ou jodi a?
5. Creative Expression / Ekspresyon Kreyatif
Use words or draw a small image to show what empathy means to you.
Sèvi ak pawòl oswa fè yon ti desen pou montre sa empati vle di pou ou.