Empathy in Global Friendships

Natica Jones

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Empathy in Global Friendships

Exploring empathy in global friendships

This lesson delves into the role of empathy in forming and maintaining friendships across different cultures. Students will explore how empathy can bridge cultural gaps and enhance global understanding. This lesson is important as it helps students develop a global perspective and appreciate the diversity of friendships worldwide.

Audience

10th Grade Students

Time

60 mins

Approach

Exploring empathy in global friendships

Materials

Case Studies on Global Friendships, Discussion Questions, and Worksheet: Cultural Perspectives on Friendship

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Begin with a discussion on what friendship means in different cultures.
Ask students to share any personal experiences with friends from diverse backgrounds.

Step 2

Activity: Analyzing Case Studies

20 mins

Distribute 'Case Studies on Global Friendships' to small groups.
Instruct each group to analyze the case study, focusing on how empathy played a role in the friendship.
Encourage students to discuss cultural differences and similarities in friendships.

Step 3

Discussion: Empathy in International Friendships

15 mins

Use the 'Discussion Questions' to guide a class discussion on the role of empathy in international friendships.
Encourage students to share their thoughts on how empathy can enhance global understanding.

Step 4

Worksheet: Cultural Perspectives on Friendship

10 mins

Hand out the 'Worksheet: Cultural Perspectives on Friendship' to each student.
Ask students to complete the worksheet individually, reflecting on how empathy influences friendships in different cultures.
Discuss the answers as a class.

Step 5

Closure

5 mins

Summarize the key points of the lesson.
Ask students to share one thing they learned about empathy and global friendships today.

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Worksheet

Case Studies on Global Friendships

These case studies provide examples of friendships across different cultures, highlighting the role of empathy.

Case Study 1: A friendship between students from Japan and Brazil, focusing on cultural exchange and understanding.

Case Study 2: A pen-pal relationship between a student in the USA and one in Kenya, exploring shared interests and empathy.

Case Study 3: A group project involving students from India and Germany, emphasizing collaboration and empathy.

Discussion

Discussion Questions

These questions are designed to facilitate a reflective discussion on empathy in global friendships.

How does empathy help us connect with friends from different cultures?

Discuss how understanding and respecting cultural differences can strengthen friendships.

What challenges might arise in international friendships, and how can empathy help overcome them?

Encourage students to think about communication barriers and cultural misunderstandings.

Can you think of a global issue where empathy in friendships could make a difference?

Allow students to explore how empathy can contribute to global peace and understanding.

Worksheet

Worksheet: Cultural Perspectives on Friendship

This worksheet helps students reflect on how empathy influences friendships in different cultures.

Describe a cultural tradition that influences friendships in a specific country.

Think about how cultural practices shape social interactions.

How might empathy be expressed differently in various cultures?

Consider verbal and non-verbal expressions of empathy.

Reflect on a time when you learned something valuable from a friend from a different culture.

Think about how this experience changed your perspective.