Empathy in Action

Sarah Corrigan

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Empathy in Action

Foster empathy and cooperation

This lesson uses role-playing scenarios and guided discussions to teach students how to recognize and understand the emotions of others. By fostering greater empathy and cooperation among peers, students will learn the importance of perspective-taking in daily interactions. This lesson is crucial for developing social-emotional skills that enhance peer relationships and create a supportive classroom environment.

Audience

Grades 6-8 Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Foster empathy and cooperation

Materials

Role-playing scenario cards, Discussion questions, and Whiteboard and markers

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Begin with a brief discussion on what empathy means.
Ask students to share examples of when they felt understood by someone else.

Step 2

Role-Playing Activity

15 minutes

Divide students into small groups and distribute role-playing scenario cards.
Instruct each group to act out their scenario, focusing on expressing and recognizing emotions.
Encourage students to discuss how they felt during the role-play.

Step 3

Guided Discussion

7 minutes

Bring the class back together for a discussion.
Use the prepared discussion questions to guide the conversation about the role-playing experience and the importance of empathy.

Step 4

Closure

3 minutes

Summarize the key points of the lesson.
Encourage students to practice empathy in their daily interactions.

0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Worksheet

Role-Playing Scenario Cards

These cards contain different scenarios for students to role-play, helping them practice empathy and perspective-taking.

A friend is upset because they lost their favorite book.

A classmate is nervous about an upcoming test.

A sibling is angry because they were left out of a game.

Discussion

Guided Discussion Questions

These questions will help facilitate a discussion on empathy and the role-playing activity.

How did it feel to act out the scenarios?

Encourage students to reflect on their emotions and the emotions of others.

What did you learn about empathy from this activity?

Guide students to discuss the importance of understanding others' feelings.

How can we show empathy in our daily lives?

Discuss practical ways to demonstrate empathy at school and home.