• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
  • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Empathy Workshop: Understanding Disabilities

Fazeel Chauhan

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Empathy Workshop: Understanding Disabilities

Build empathy towards disabilities

This workshop aims to foster empathy among 7th-grade students towards individuals with disabilities. Through engaging discussions, a video presentation, and interactive activities, students will learn to appreciate the challenges faced by people with disabilities and develop a more inclusive mindset. This lesson is crucial in promoting understanding and acceptance, which are key components of a supportive and diverse community.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Build empathy towards disabilities

Materials

Discussion Guide, Brené Brown on Empathy Video, Empathy Worksheet, and Pens and Paper

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

  • Begin with a brief introduction to the concept of empathy and its importance in understanding others.
  • Explain the objective of the workshop: to build empathy towards individuals with disabilities.

Step 2

Video Presentation

5 mins

  • Show the Brené Brown on Empathy video.
  • Ask students to note down key points about empathy and how it differs from sympathy.

Step 3

Discussion

15 mins

  • Use the Discussion Guide to facilitate a conversation about the video.
  • Encourage students to share their thoughts on how empathy can be applied to understanding disabilities.

Step 4

Hands-On Activity

20 mins

  • Distribute the Empathy Worksheet.
  • Have students work in pairs to complete activities that simulate challenges faced by individuals with disabilities (e.g., writing with non-dominant hand, navigating a space blindfolded).
  • Discuss the experiences and feelings encountered during the activities.

Step 5

Closure

10 mins

  • Recap the key learnings from the workshop.
  • Encourage students to reflect on how they can apply empathy in their daily interactions.
  • Collect the worksheets for review.
lenny

Discussion

Discussion Guide: Empathy and Disabilities

This guide will help facilitate a discussion on empathy, focusing on understanding disabilities. It includes questions to encourage students to think critically about the video and their own experiences.

What is the difference between empathy and sympathy?

Encourage students to refer to the video and discuss how empathy involves connecting with others' feelings.







How can empathy help us understand the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities?

Guide students to think about the importance of perspective-taking and emotional connection.







Can you think of a time when you showed empathy towards someone? How did it affect the situation?

Encourage students to share personal experiences and reflect on the impact of empathy.







lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Empathy Worksheet

This worksheet includes activities designed to help students experience challenges similar to those faced by individuals with disabilities, fostering empathy and understanding.

Write your name using your non-dominant hand. How did it feel?








Navigate a small obstacle course blindfolded with a partner's guidance. What challenges did you face?








Reflect on the activities. How did they change your perspective on disabilities?








lenny
lenny