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Empathy: Walk In Their Shoes

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Lesson Plan

Empathy: Walk In Their Shoes

Students will be able to define empathy and identify different ways to show empathy in their daily lives. They will practice perspective-taking and develop a deeper understanding of others' emotions.

Empathy is a foundational skill for building strong relationships, resolving conflicts peacefully, and creating an inclusive community. Understanding and sharing others' feelings helps students navigate social situations, support their peers, and develop into compassionate individuals.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, storytelling, and a role-playing activity.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Empathy Slides, Empathy Scenario Cards, and Empathy Reflection Journal

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What is Empathy?

5 minutes

  1. Begin by asking students: "What does it mean to put yourself in someone else's shoes?" (2 minutes)
    2. Facilitate a brief discussion to gather initial thoughts and definitions. (3 minutes)
    3. Introduce the term 'empathy' and explain it as understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

Step 2

Exploring Empathy (Slides & Discussion)

10 minutes

  1. Present the Empathy Slides. (2 minutes)
    2. Use the slides to guide a discussion on the definition of empathy, its importance, and examples of empathetic actions. (5 minutes)
    3. Ask open-ended questions like: "Why is empathy important in our classroom? At home? With friends?" (3 minutes)

Step 3

Empathy Scenario Role-Play

10 minutes

  1. Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group). (1 minute)
    2. Distribute one set of Empathy Scenario Cards to each group. (1 minute)
    3. Instruct groups to choose a scenario and act it out, focusing on how to show empathy in that situation. Encourage them to think about different perspectives. (5 minutes)
    4. After each group performs, facilitate a brief class discussion about their chosen scenario and the empathetic responses demonstrated. (3 minutes)

Step 4

Cool-Down: Reflecting on Empathy

5 minutes

  1. Distribute the Empathy Reflection Journal. (1 minute)
    2. Ask students to complete the journal prompt: "Describe a time when someone showed you empathy, or a time when you showed empathy to someone else. How did it feel?" (4 minutes)
    3. Collect journals for review or allow students to share their reflections if time permits and they feel comfortable.
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Slide Deck

What does it mean to walk in someone else's shoes?

Think about a time you tried to understand how someone else was feeling. What did you do?

Welcome students and get them thinking about the day's topic. Ask a few students to share their initial thoughts.

Empathy: More Than Just Sympathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

It's about connecting with someone on an emotional level.

It's NOT the same as sympathy, which is feeling sorry for someone.

Introduce the formal definition of empathy. Emphasize that it's about understanding and sharing feelings, not just feeling sorry for someone.

Why is Empathy Important?

  • Builds Stronger Relationships: When you understand others, you connect better.
  • Helps Solve Conflicts: Seeing things from another's side can lead to solutions.
  • Creates a Positive Community: A classroom where everyone feels understood is a happy one.
  • Makes You a Better Friend, Teammate, and Person!

Discuss why empathy is so vital in various aspects of life. Encourage students to provide their own examples.

How Can We Show Empathy?

  • Listen Actively: Pay attention to what others say and how they say it.
  • Observe Body Language: What are their non-verbal cues telling you?
  • Ask Questions: "How are you feeling?" "Is there anything I can do?"
  • Imagine Yourself in Their Situation: What would you need or want?
  • Offer Support: A kind word, a helping hand, or just being there.

Provide concrete examples of how empathy can be shown. Ask students to brainstorm more examples.

Scenario Time: Putting Empathy into Action!

You're going to work in small groups.

Each group will get a scenario card.

Your task: Act out the scenario, focusing on how you can show empathy. Think about different perspectives!

Explain the role-play activity. Ensure students understand they will be acting out scenarios and focusing on empathetic responses.

Reflecting on Empathy

Take a moment to reflect on what we've discussed and experienced today.

Complete your Empathy Reflection Journal by describing a time when someone showed you empathy, or a time when you showed empathy to someone else. How did it feel?

Transition to the reflection journal. Remind them to think deeply about their experiences with empathy.

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Activity

Empathy Scenario Cards

Instructions: In your groups, choose one scenario. Act it out, focusing on how to show empathy in the situation. Discuss how each person in the scenario might be feeling.

Scenario 1: Lost Homework

Your friend, Alex, comes to school upset because they can't find their completed homework assignment. They spent hours on it last night, and now it's gone. Alex is close to tears and worried about getting a bad grade.

  • How can you show empathy to Alex?
  • What might Alex be feeling?
  • What could you say or do?




Scenario 2: New Student

A new student, Sam, just joined your class. It's their first day, and they seem very quiet and a little bit lost. During lunch, Sam is sitting alone at a table.

  • How can you show empathy to Sam?
  • What might Sam be feeling?
  • What could you say or do?




Scenario 3: Disappointing Game

Your sports team just lost a very important game. Your teammate, Jamie, made a mistake that led to the other team scoring the winning point. Jamie is feeling really down and blames themselves.

  • How can you show empathy to Jamie?
  • What might Jamie be feeling?
  • What could you say or do?




Scenario 4: Friend is Excluded

You see a group of your classmates making plans for an outing, and they purposefully leave out your friend, Chris. Chris looks sad and walks away.

  • How can you show empathy to Chris?
  • What might Chris be feeling?
  • What could you say or do?




Scenario 5: Someone Needs Help

During a group project, one of your group members, Taylor, is struggling to understand a concept and looks frustrated. The deadline is approaching, and Taylor seems overwhelmed.

  • How can you show empathy to Taylor?
  • What might Taylor be feeling?
  • What could you say or do?




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Journal

Empathy Reflection Journal

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Reflecting on Empathy

Describe a time when someone showed you empathy, or a time when you showed empathy to someone else. How did it feel?













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