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Empathy in Action

Lesson Plan

Your Emotional GPS Lesson Plan

Students will learn to identify and label their emotions using an emotion wheel, practice self-regulation strategies through scenario analysis, and reflect on personal coping plans.

Developing emotional awareness and regulation fosters resilience, reduces stress, and enhances empathy, supporting both well-being and academic success.

Audience

10th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive check-in, mini-lesson, paired activity, and reflection

Materials

Printed Emotion Wheel Handout, Emotion Scenario Cards, Emotion Journal Template, Sticky Notes, Markers or Pens, and Whiteboard or Chart Paper

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Opening Check-In

5 minutes

  • Distribute sticky notes for students to write their current emotion
  • Post notes on the whiteboard or chart paper
  • Invite volunteers to share their emotion and context briefly
  • Assessment: Observe student comfort identifying and sharing emotions

Step 2

Mini-Lesson on Emotional GPS

7 minutes

  • Introduce the concept of an "Emotional GPS"
  • Hand out Emotion Wheel Handout
  • Explain primary and secondary emotions; model circling emotions felt this week
  • Ask students to circle 2–3 emotions they experienced recently
  • Assessment: Check handouts for correct emotion identification and engagement

Step 3

Guided Scenario Activity

10 minutes

  • Pair students and distribute two Emotion Scenario Cards per pair
  • Instruct pairs to read each scenario, identify the core emotion, and select a self-regulation strategy
  • Pairs note their chosen strategy and rationale on paper
  • Circulate to prompt deeper questions (e.g., “Why did you choose that strategy?”)
  • Assessment: Listen for accurate emotion labeling and realistic coping strategies

Step 4

Individual Reflection

5 minutes

  • Provide each student with an Emotion Journal Template
  • Have students write about a recent emotional experience and the strategy they plan to use
  • Encourage personal connections and honest reflection
  • Assessment: Collect journals to review the depth and relevance of each reflection

Step 5

Closing and Exit Ticket

3 minutes

  • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their chosen strategy aloud
  • Distribute small sticky notes as exit tickets: students write one emotion and one strategy
  • Collect exit tickets for quick formative assessment
  • Reinforce the value of using their Emotional GPS daily
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Lesson Plan

Empathy in Action Lesson Plan

Students will understand and practice empathy by exploring its defining features, analyzing real-life scenarios, and reflecting on strategies to support peers, fostering stronger connections and a supportive classroom environment.

Developing empathy helps students build strong relationships, improve communication, and create an inclusive classroom community. Practicing empathy reduces conflicts and supports mental well-being.

Audience

10th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive mini-lesson, paired scenario practice, and guided reflection.

Materials

Empathy Continuum Chart, Empathy Scenario Cards, Empathy Reflection Journal Template, Sticky Notes, Markers or Pens, and Whiteboard or Chart Paper

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Opening Activity

5 minutes

  • Distribute sticky notes and ask students to write a word that describes empathy or a time they felt understood
  • Post notes on whiteboard or chart paper and cluster similar ideas
  • Facilitate a brief discussion on emerging themes and definitions of empathy
  • Assessment: Observe student contributions and depth of understanding

Step 2

Mini-Lesson on Empathy

7 minutes

  • Introduce empathy vs. sympathy using the Empathy Continuum Chart
  • Highlight key components: perspective-taking, emotional resonance, supportive action
  • Model reading a scenario and demonstrating an empathetic response
  • Assessment: Ask volunteers to define empathy in their own words

Step 3

Paired Scenario Practice

10 minutes

  • Pair students and distribute two Empathy Scenario Cards per pair
  • Instruct pairs to read each scenario and discuss: “How would you respond empathetically? What words or actions would you use?”
  • Pairs record their responses in bullet form
  • Circulate to prompt deeper perspective-taking questions
  • Assessment: Listen for accurate empathy application and genuine connection

Step 4

Group Discussion

5 minutes

  • Invite pairs to share one scenario and their empathetic response
  • Chart effective strategies and empathetic language on the whiteboard
  • Discuss common themes and potential challenges in practicing empathy
  • Assessment: Note clarity and relevance of shared strategies

Step 5

Reflection & Exit Ticket

3 minutes

  • Provide each student with an Empathy Reflection Journal Template
  • Prompt: “Write about a time you can apply empathy this week and the strategy you will use.”
  • Collect exit tickets: one strategy and intended action
  • Reinforce the importance of practicing empathy daily
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Slide Deck

Empathy in Action

• 10th Grade SEL Lesson (30 min)
• Tier 1 Classroom Focus

Today’s Goal: Build understanding and practice of empathy to strengthen our connections.

Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Emphasize the importance of empathy in daily interactions and our classroom community.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

  1. Define empathy and distinguish it from sympathy
  2. Practice perspective-taking with real-life scenarios
  3. Reflect on how to apply empathy this week

Share the lesson objective and outcomes. Clarify that empathy goes beyond sympathy.

Opening Activity

• Write on a sticky note:
– One word describing empathy, or
– A moment you felt truly understood

• Post notes and cluster common themes
• Discuss emerging definitions of empathy

Explain the opening activity. Distribute sticky notes; have students write a word or brief phrase. Group similar notes to spark discussion.

Empathy vs. Sympathy

• Sympathy: Feeling for someone
• Empathy: Feeling with someone

Key Components:
– Perspective-taking
– Emotional resonance
– Supportive action

Display Empathy Continuum Chart

Introduce the Empathy Continuum Chart. Use examples to illustrate the shift from sympathy to full empathy.

Paired Scenario Practice

  1. In pairs, take two Empathy Scenario Cards
  2. For each:
    a. Identify the person’s feelings
    b. Brainstorm empathetic words/actions
  3. Record your responses in bullet form

Read one scenario aloud to model. Emphasize choice of words, tone, and supportive gestures.

Group Discussion

• Pairs share one scenario and their response
• Chart effective empathetic strategies:
– Phrases to show you understand
– Actions that demonstrate care
• Discuss challenges and insights

Invite 2–3 pairs to share. Chart their examples. Highlight effective language and actions that show active listening and understanding.

Reflection & Exit Ticket

• Complete your Empathy Reflection Journal Template:
– Describe when you’ll practice empathy this week
– Which strategy you’ll use

• Turn in as your exit ticket

Explain the exit ticket process. Encourage students to apply empathy in a real situation this week and follow through.

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Worksheet

Empathy Continuum Chart

Use this chart to explore how sympathy differs from empathy. Fill in each section with your own definitions, focuses, examples, and actions.

Continuum StageDefinitionEmotional FocusExample PhrasesExample Actions
Sympathy











Empathy











Personal Reflection

  1. Think of a time when someone showed you sympathy. Describe the situation and how it made you feel.











  1. Think of a time when someone showed you empathy. Describe the situation and how it made you feel.











  1. Moving from sympathy toward empathy often involves deeper listening and connection. List two concrete strategies you can use to respond more empathetically to others.






Use this chart alongside the Empathy in Action Lesson Plan and your Empathy Reflection Journal Template to guide your SEL practice.

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Activity

Empathy Scenario Cards

Cut apart each of the following scenarios so pairs can discuss them one at a time.

Card 1

Your best friend just found out they didn’t make the school basketball team after practicing all summer. They’re angry and on the verge of tears.

Card 2

A new student in your class speaks English as a second language and looks nervous speaking up during group work. They often stay silent even when they know the answer.

Card 3

One of your classmates wore a unique outfit today and a few people made fun of them in the hallway. They walked away quickly, head down.

Card 4

Your friend’s family just announced they’re moving to another state at the end of the semester. They seem sad and distracted in class.

Card 5

A student in your group project is going through a breakup, and they haven’t turned in their portion of the work on time. They look exhausted and upset.

Card 6

Someone accidentally broke your lab partner’s phone during science class. They’re frustrated and feel guilty, but haven’t said anything yet.

Card 7

You notice a classmate sitting alone at lunch every day. They bring the same half‐eaten sandwich and scroll on their phone quietly.

Card 8

A teammate lost confidence after making two mistakes during the school play rehearsal. They’re avoiding eye contact and rehearsing their lines alone.

Use these cards during your paired scenario practice. Read each prompt, identify the other person’s feelings, and brainstorm empathetic words or actions you could offer.

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Journal

Empathy Reflection Journal Template

Date: ____________________________

1. Describe a recent moment when you showed or experienced empathy. Include details about the setting, the people involved, and what happened.













2. What thoughts and emotions did you notice in yourself? How do you believe the other person felt in that moment? Explain.











3. What specific words or actions did you use (or wish you had used) to convey empathy? Why did you choose (or would choose) those approaches? You may also note new strategies to try next time.











4. Plan two moments this week to practice empathy:

  • Situation 1: Describe where and with whom you’ll practice empathy.



  • Your empathetic response (words/actions):



  • Situation 2: Describe another moment this week for empathy.



  • Your empathetic response (words/actions):



5. How do you think these empathetic actions will influence your relationships and our classroom community? Reflect on the potential impact of practicing empathy consistently.











Use this journal alongside the Empathy Continuum Chart and the Empathy Scenario Cards to guide your reflections and action planning.

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Empathy in Action • Lenny Learning