Compassion Warm Up: "What's Your Compassion Compass?"

Time: 5 minutes

Instructions:
Think about a time when you saw someone help another person, or a time when someone helped you. It could be something big or small.

On a piece of paper or in your notebook, quickly jot down:
1. What happened?
2. How did it make you feel to see/receive that act of kindness?
3. What does it mean to be "compassionate"?





Differentiation Tip: For students who may have difficulty writing, allow them to draw a picture or share their thoughts verbally with a partner or the teacher.

Compassion Conversation Script

Warm Up: What's Your Compassion Compass? (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! To kick off our lesson today, let's start with a quick warm-up. Take out a piece of paper or open your notebooks. I want you to think about a time when you saw someone help another person, or a time when someone helped you. It could be something big, like someone helping a neighbor rebuild after a storm, or something small, like a friend sharing their lunch.

Now, jot down your answers to these three questions:

1. What happened?
2. How did it make you feel to see or receive that act of kindness?
3. What do you think it means to be 'compassionate'?"

(Allow students 2-3 minutes to write. Circulate to offer support, especially for students who may prefer to draw or talk through their ideas.)

Teacher: "Alright, who would like to share a brief thought from their warm-up? No need for long stories, just a quick insight or feeling. What did you write about? Or, what does the word 'compassionate' mean to you?"

(Call on a few volunteers, encouraging diverse responses. Affirm all contributions.)

Introduction: Defining Compassion (10 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Heartfelt Holidays: Compassion Connect Slide Deck - Slide 1)
"Excellent shares! Today, we're going to dive deeper into that powerful word: compassion. Our lesson, 'Heartfelt Holidays: Compassion Connect,' is all about exploring empathy, kindness, and gratitude, especially as we head into the holiday season. We'll be asking: What is compassion? Why is it important? And how can we show it?"

(Transition to Heartfelt Holidays: Compassion Connect Slide Deck - Slide 2)
"So, what is compassion? Many people think it's just feeling bad or sorry for someone. And while that's part of it, compassion goes a step further. It's about understanding and sharing the feelings of others, AND having a desire to help. It's empathy in action! It often involves kindness, care, and a willingness to actually do something.

Think about it: How is compassion different from just feeling sad for someone? Turn and talk to a partner for 30 seconds."

(Allow 30 seconds for partner discussion, then bring the class back together.)

Teacher: "Any thoughts on that? What's the key difference between simply feeling sad and truly being compassionate?"

(Guide students to articulate that compassion involves action or a desire to act, not just an emotion.)

(Transition to Heartfelt Holidays: Compassion Connect Slide Deck - Slide 3)
"Exactly! Compassion moves us to do something. It's not just a feeling, it's a response. We see compassion in our daily lives all the time: helping a classmate, listening to a friend, volunteering, or simply being kind to someone new. And during the holidays, it often means thinking of those less fortunate, sharing what we have, and expressing gratitude.

How does showing compassion make the world a better place? What's the impact?"

(Facilitate a brief discussion. Encourage students to think about both the recipient and the giver of compassion.)

Activity: Compassionate Choices (15 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Heartfelt Holidays: Compassion Connect Slide Deck - Slide 4)
"Now that we have a good understanding of what compassion is, let's put it into practice. We're going to do a 'Compassionate Choices' activity. I'm going to divide you into small groups.

(Assign groups. This is where pre-planned differentiation for students with multiple disabilities comes in – consider pairing them with supportive peers and providing simplified scenarios or visual aids if applicable to the activity materials.)

Teacher: "Each group will receive a scenario. Your task is to discuss: How can compassion be shown in this situation? What specific actions could you take? Remember, there's no single 'right' answer, but many ways to show care and kindness.

(Distribute the Compassionate Choices Activity scenarios. Give groups 7-8 minutes to discuss.)

Teacher: "Alright, let's hear from each group. Who would like to share your scenario and your compassionate solution?"

(Have each group quickly share their scenario and ideas. Validate and praise their thoughtful responses.)

Reflection: My Compassion Pledge (10 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Heartfelt Holidays: Compassion Connect Slide Deck - Slide 5)
"Fantastic ideas, everyone! It's clear you have strong compassionate instincts. Now, let's bring it closer to home. I'm handing out a worksheet called 'My Compassion Pledge.' On this worksheet, I want you to think about one specific way you will show compassion this week. How can you apply what we've learned today to your own life? What steps will you take to make compassion a part of your everyday actions, especially as we approach the holidays?"

(Distribute My Compassion Pledge Worksheet. Give students 7-8 minutes to write their pledges. Encourage drawing or dictation for differentiated support.)

Wrap-Up & Project Introduction: Compassion in Action (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Would anyone like to voluntarily share their compassion pledge with the class?"

(Allow a few students to share if they wish.)

Teacher: (Transition to Heartfelt Holidays: Compassion Connect Slide Deck - Slide 6)
"To extend our learning and commitment to compassion, I'm excited to introduce our 'Compassion in Action' group project! This is an opportunity for your groups to take what we've discussed today and apply it to a real-world situation.

(Transition to Heartfelt Holidays: Compassion Connect Slide Deck - Slide 7)
"Your group will use the Compassion in Action Planning Worksheet to help you plan your project, where you'll choose a cause or a group of people in need, research how you can help, plan and execute a small act of compassion or kindness, and then document your experience. Your group will then prepare a presentation of your project using chart paper to share with the class! Your Compassion in Action Project Guide has all the details on what to include, but the Compassion in Action Planning Worksheet is where your group will actually do your planning.

I'll provide the due date for the project shortly. This is your chance to truly make a difference as a team! Let's remember that compassion isn't just for the holidays; it's a gift we can give all year round. Thank you for your thoughtful participation today!"

Compassion Discussion Prompts

These prompts can be used to deepen student understanding and encourage sharing during various parts of the lesson.

Warm-Up & Introduction Discussion

• What does compassion mean to you in your own words?
  
  
  
• Can you think of a time when someone showed you compassion? How did that feel?
  
  
  
• What's the difference between feeling pity for someone and feeling compassion?
  
  
  
• Why do you think compassion is an important trait to have, especially during the holiday season?
  
  
  

Compassionate Choices Activity Follow-up

• After discussing your scenarios, what was challenging about coming up with compassionate solutions?
  
  
  
• Did any group come up with a solution that surprised you or that you hadn't considered before?
  
  
  
• How might practicing compassion in small, everyday ways impact our school community?
  
  
  

General Reflection Prompts

• What are some barriers that might prevent people from showing compassion? How can we overcome them?
  
  
  
• How can we encourage more compassionate actions in our homes, schools, and communities?
  
  
  
• Thinking about global events, how can compassion play a role in understanding and addressing large-scale challenges?
  
  
  

Differentiation Tip: For students with diverse communication needs, provide visual cues or sentence starters for responses. Allow students to use non-verbal communication (thumbs up/down, pointing) or drawing to express their thoughts if verbal responses are challenging.

Compassionate Choices Activity: Scenarios

Instructions for Groups:
Read the scenario assigned to your group. Discuss together:

1. What is the situation?
2. Who might be feeling what emotions in this scenario?
3. How can compassion be shown here? What specific actions could you take?
4. Be ready to share your scenario and your group's compassionate solution with the class!

Scenario 1: The New Student

There's a new student who joined your class last week. They seem quiet and eat lunch alone every day. You notice other students don't really talk to them. The holidays are coming up, and everyone is talking about their plans with friends and family.

Scenario 2: The Stressed Friend

Your friend has been really stressed lately because of upcoming tests and family obligations. They seem overwhelmed and keep snapping at people, including you. You know they usually aren't like this, but their behavior is starting to make you feel uncomfortable.

Scenario 3: The Broken Toy Drive

A local community center is holding a holiday toy drive, but many of the donated toys are old, broken, or clearly not suitable for children. You're helping sort them and realize many kids might not get a new toy. Your school has a small budget for holiday charity, but it's already allocated.

Scenario 4: The Embarrassing Moment

During a class presentation, one of your classmates accidentally trips and spills water all over their notes, making everyone laugh. They look mortified and are clearly on the verge of tears. The teacher is trying to help, but the classmate is really upset.

Scenario 5: The Busy Parent

You notice that a classmate often seems tired and sometimes struggles to keep up with homework. You overhear them mentioning that their parent works two jobs and they have a lot of responsibilities at home, especially with younger siblings, which makes holiday preparations difficult for their family.

Scenario 6: The Lonely Neighbor

There's an elderly neighbor who lives alone and rarely has visitors. You sometimes see them struggling to carry groceries or clear snow from their walkway. With the colder weather and holidays approaching, you worry they might be feeling particularly lonely or in need of assistance.

Differentiation Tip: For students needing extra support, provide sentence starters for their discussions (e.g., "I think the person feels... because..."; "A compassionate action could be to..."). Visual cards representing emotions or actions could also be available.

My Compassion Pledge

Name: ____________________________ Date: _____________

Reflect and Commit!

Think about what we discussed today about compassion. How can you show more compassion in your own life, especially during the holidays and beyond? This is your personal promise to make a difference.

1. What does compassion mean to you now?

2. Identify one specific person or group in your life (at school, home, or in your community) where you want to show more compassion this week.

3. Describe one concrete action you will take to show compassion to that person or group. (Be specific! How, when, where?)

4. How do you think your compassionate action will impact the other person or people involved?

5. Sign Your Pledge:

I, __________________________, pledge to make a conscious effort to practice compassion in my daily life, starting with the action described above. I understand that my kindness can make a real difference in the world.

Signature: __________________________ Date: _____________

Differentiation Tip: Students who prefer not to write can draw their responses to questions 2 and 3, or dictate them to a partner or teacher. Provide a word bank of compassionate actions (e.g., listen, help, share, understand, include, donate) for students who may need ideas.

Compassion in Action: Group Project Guide

Make a Difference This Holiday Season!

Objective: To collaboratively extend your understanding of compassion into real-world action by identifying a need and making a positive impact on others, especially during the holiday season. Students will plan and present their project using chart paper.

Due Date: [Teacher to Insert Date]

Estimated Time Commitment: 1-2 hours (outside of class) for planning and action

Your Group Compassion in Action Project

This project will guide your group through planning, executing, and presenting a compassionate act. You will use the Compassion in Action Planning Worksheet to develop your project proposal and action plan.

Here's what your group will do:

1. Identify a Need: Work as a group to brainstorm who might need compassion or kindness in your community, school, or the wider world. Choose a group or cause and explain why you chose them on your Compassion in Action Planning Worksheet.
2. Plan Your Action: On your Compassion in Action Planning Worksheet, describe one specific action your group will take to show compassion. Detail the steps, materials needed, and your timeline.
3. Execute Your Action: Put your plan into motion! Carry out your group's act of compassion.
4. Document & Prepare Presentation: Document your experience (e.g., photos, short write-up, journal entry from each member). Then, prepare a presentation of your project using chart paper to share with the class.
5. Present & Reflect: Present your project to the class. As a group, reflect on what you learned and how it felt to make a difference. Individually, you may also be asked to submit a personal reflection.

Differentiation Tip: Provide examples of completed worksheets or project ideas to inspire groups. For groups with physical or communication limitations, suggest projects that can be completed with verbal instructions or with the help of a peer/adult. Ensure each group member has a clear and manageable role.

Compassion in Action: Group Planning Worksheet

Group Names: ____________________________ Date: _____________

Project Proposal: Identifying a Need (Group Discussion)

Work together as a group. Think about your community, school, or even the wider world. Who might need compassion or kindness, especially during the holidays?

1. The group or cause our group wants to help is:

2. Our group chose them because (what need do you see?):

3. Our initial idea for showing compassion is:

Action Plan: Making it Happen (Group Plan)

Now, let's get specific about how your group will make your compassionate action a reality!

4. What specific actions will your group take? (List steps in order):

• Step 1:
  
  
• Step 2:
  
  
• Step 3:
  
  
• Step 4: (Optional)
  
  
  
  
  

5. What materials or resources will your group need? (e.g., paper, art supplies, a camera, an adult helper):

6. What is your timeline? (When will your group complete each step?):

7. How will your group document your compassionate action? (e.g., photos, a short write-up, a video, a journal entry):

8. Plan for your Chart Paper Presentation:

What key information will your group include on your chart paper to present your project to the class?

Differentiation Tip: Provide visual examples of different types of compassionate actions. For groups who struggle with written planning, allow them to create a visual plan (e.g., a storyboard or a flow chart) or dictate their plan to a teacher/aide. Ensure all group members have a role in the planning and presentation.