Role-Reversal Talk

In this small-group discussion, students will take on different perspectives and explore how each person feels in everyday school situations.

Prompts (Choose 1 per group)

1. Homework Mix-Up
   • Role A: You forgot your homework.
   • Role B: Your friend was counting on you to share answers and now feels disappointed.

2. Recess Teasing
   • Role A: You saw someone being teased on the playground.
   • Role B: The classmate being teased feels embarrassed and alone.

3. Team Game Loss
   • Role A: Your team lost the big game.
   • Role B: Your teammate feels upset and thinks it’s your fault.

4. Lunchroom Spill
   • Role A: You accidentally spilled lunch on someone’s project.
   • Role B: The student whose project got ruined is frustrated and sad.

Facilitation & Follow-Up Questions

• How do you think each person feels in this scenario?
• What thoughts might be going through their mind?
• How could you show empathy if you were in Role A? If you were in Role B?
• What could you say or do to help the other person feel understood or supported?
• After hearing both sides, what’s one step you’d take to make things better?

Teacher Tips:
– Encourage students to use “I feel…” statements when describing emotions.
– Prompt quieter groups by asking, “What would you want someone to say to you?”
– Wrap up each discussion by highlighting one empathetic action from each group.

Emotion Mapping Worksheet

Use this worksheet to analyze your assigned scenario. Identify three key moments, label each character’s emotion, and note what triggered those feelings.

Scenario Description:

Moment 1

• What happened?

• Character’s Emotion:

• Trigger (What gave that clue?):

Moment 2

• What happened?

• Character’s Emotion:

• Trigger (What gave that clue?):

Moment 3

• What happened?

• Character’s Emotion:

• Trigger (What gave that clue?):

Reflection
How could someone show empathy in this scenario to help the characters involved?

Emotion Guide Answer Key

This guide provides sample responses and thought processes for each of the four common scenarios. Use these to check student emotion maps and reflections.

Scenario 1: Homework Mix-Up

Description: You forgot your homework and your friend was counting on you to share answers.

Moment 1

• What happened?

• The teacher asks students to turn in homework; Student A realizes they left theirs at home.
  • Character’s Emotion:
• Student A: anxious/embarrassed
• Friend B: surprised/confused
  • Trigger (What gave that clue?):
• Student A: flushed face, fumbling papers, quick eye contact with friend.
• Friend B: raised eyebrows, slight pause before speaking.

Moment 2

• What happened?

• Student A explains they forgot the homework and apologizes; Friend B’s face falls.
  • Character’s Emotion:
• Friend B: disappointed/frustrated
• Student A: regretful/guilty
  • Trigger (What gave that clue?):
• Friend B: sighing, crossed arms, downcast eyes.
• Student A: low tone, head down, “I’m really sorry…”

Moment 3

• What happened?

• Student A offers to help study after school to make up for forgetting.
  • Character’s Emotion:
• Friend B: relieved/appreciative
• Student A: hopeful/enthusiastic
  • Trigger (What gave that clue?):
• Friend B: small smile, nodding.
• Student A: more upright posture, eye contact.

Reflection:

• Empathy Action: Acknowledge your mistake (“I understand you counted on me”), apologize sincerely, and offer a solution or support (study together next time).

Scenario 2: Recess Teasing

Description: You saw someone being teased on the playground; the teased classmate feels embarrassed and alone.

Moment 1

• What happened?

• Teased student trips and others laugh.
  • Character’s Emotion:
• Teased student: embarrassed/hurt
• Teasing student(s): amused/too casual
  • Trigger:
• Teased student: wiping eyes, head down.
• Teasers: pointing, giggling.

Moment 2

• What happened?

• Teased student sits alone on the bench.
  • Character’s Emotion:
• Teased student: sad/rejected
• Bystander (you): uncomfortable/worried
  • Trigger:
• Teased student: slumped shoulders, quiet.
• Bystander: hesitation to walk away.

Moment 3

• What happened?

• You approach the student and ask if they’re okay.
  • Character’s Emotion:
• Teased student: relieved/grateful
• You: supportive/confident
  • Trigger:
• Teased student: slight nod, softer tone.
• You: warm smile, steady voice.

Reflection:

• Empathy Action: Use kind words (“That looked rough—are you okay?”), invite them to join a game, speak up against teasing.

Scenario 3: Team Game Loss

Description: Your team lost the big game and a teammate thinks it’s your fault.

Moment 1

• What happened?

• Final buzzer sounds and your team loses by one point.
  • Character’s Emotion:
• You: disappointed/frustrated
• Teammate B: angry/blaming
  • Trigger:
• Teammate B: stomping foot, “This is all your fault!”

Moment 2

• What happened?

• Teammate B confronts you and raises their voice.
  • Character’s Emotion:
• Teammate B: upset/let down
• You: defensive/upset
  • Trigger:
• Teammate B: pointing finger, tense tone.
• You: folded arms, frown.

Moment 3

• What happened?

• You say, “I’m sorry you feel that way; I’m proud of our effort,” and suggest practicing together.
  • Character’s Emotion:
• Teammate B: calm/hopesful
• You: understanding/supportive
  • Trigger:
• Teammate B: releases tension, nods.
• You: open posture.

Reflection:

• Empathy Action: Acknowledge their frustration, express shared disappointment (“We tried our best”), and offer to help improve next time.

Scenario 4: Lunchroom Spill

Description: You accidentally spilled lunch on someone’s project; they feel frustrated and sad.

Moment 1

• What happened?

• You bump the table and soup spills onto a classmate’s poster.
  • Character’s Emotion:
• Classmate: frustrated/angry
• You: shocked/apologetic
  • Trigger:
• Classmate: clenched jaw, hands on hips.
• You: wide eyes, stepped back.

Moment 2

• What happened?

• Classmate says, “You ruined my project!” loudly.
  • Character’s Emotion:
• Classmate: upset/disappointed
• You: guilty/regretful
  • Trigger:
• Classmate: pointed finger, quivering voice.
• You: lowered head.

Moment 3

• What happened?

• You offer to help remake the poster and clean up the mess.
  • Character’s Emotion:
• Classmate: relieved/thankful
• You: hopeful/helpful
  • Trigger:
• Classmate: small smile, accepting hand gesture.

Reflection:

• Empathy Action: Say, “I’m so sorry—I know you worked hard,” then give practical help (clean up, recreate project together).