Empathy Match Game Overview

Objective: Help students practice recognizing emotions in real-life situations and responding with empathy.

Materials:

• Empathy Scenario Cards
• Timer or Stopwatch

Prep (5 minutes):

• Print and cut out all scenario cards from the Empathy Scenario Cards.
• Shuffle cards and place them face-down in a stack.
• Set timer for 7 minutes.

Instructions:

1. Setup (2 minutes)
   
   • Arrange students in a circle.
     
   • Explain how the game will work (see Gameplay rules).
2. Gameplay (7 minutes)
   
   • Students take turns drawing one card from the stack.
     
   • Read the scenario aloud.
     
   • Identify and name the character’s feeling (using the Feelings Chart Poster).
     
   • Propose one specific way to show empathy in that situation.
     
   • Group briefly affirms or adds to the empathetic response.
3. Group Debrief (3 minutes)
   
   • Ask: “Which response felt most helpful? Why?”
     
   • Invite 2–3 students to share what they learned about empathy.
     
   • Challenge: “This week, notice one time you helped someone feel better. Be ready to share next session!”

Empathy Scenario Cards (#empathy-scenario-cards)

1. You see a classmate sitting alone at lunch looking sad.

1. Your friend lost their favorite toy and looks upset.

1. A new student stands by themselves during recess.

1. You notice someone got a bad grade and is staring at their paper quietly.

1. A peer accidentally spilled lunch on their shirt and seems embarrassed.

1. You hear someone crying after a test they thought they failed.

1. A student wasn’t picked for the team and is walking away alone.

1. You see a classmate struggling to carry a heavy backpack.

1. A friend is worried about speaking in front of the class.

1. Someone forgot their lunch and looks hungry at the cafeteria line.

Compliment Relay Game Overview

Objective: Give and receive sincere compliments quickly to build confidence, positive peer connections, and practice kind communication.

Materials:

• Kind Words Prompt Cards
• Timer or Stopwatch

Prep (5 minutes):

• Print and cut out all cards from the Kind Words Prompt Cards.
• Shuffle cards into a face-down stack for each team.
• Arrange two lines of chairs (or tape markers) facing each other for teams.
• Set timer for 6 minutes of gameplay.

Instructions:

1. Setup (2 minutes)
   
   • Divide students into two equal teams and have them form single-file lines facing each other.
     
   • Place one shuffled stack of prompt cards in front of each first player.
     
   • Explain: “Each turn, you’ll draw a prompt, read it quietly, and give a genuine compliment to the person across from you.”
2. Gameplay (6 minutes)
   
   • On “Go,” both first players draw a card at the same time.
     
   • Each reads the prompt and delivers a sincere compliment to their partner (e.g., “I like how you always…”).
     
   • The receiver responds with “Thank you.”
     
   • Both students then move to the end of their line—new players step forward.
     
   • Continue until the timer ends, aiming for clear, specific compliments and active listening.
3. Debrief (2 minutes)
   
   • Ask: “What compliment stood out to you today?”
     
   • Invite 2–3 students to share how giving or receiving compliments felt.
     
   • Reinforce: “Kind words can brighten someone’s day—let’s keep noticing opportunities!”

Kind Words Prompt Cards (#kind-words-prompt-cards)

1. Tell your partner something you admire about their creativity.
   
   
   
2. Compliment a quality you appreciate in their work habits.
   
   
   
3. Share one thing you like about how they treat others.
   
   
   
4. Say something positive about their sense of humor.
   
   
   
5. Point out one strength you’ve noticed in their teamwork.
   
   
   
6. Tell them what you think they’re really good at in class.
   
   
   
7. Praise a way they helped someone else recently.
   
   
   
8. Compliment their kindness or friendliness.
   
   
   
9. Share what you appreciate about their listening skills.
   
   
   
10. Tell them one thing you respect about their attitude.
    
    
    

Word Swap Relay Game Overview

Objective: Practice transforming hurtful phrases into supportive, kind statements to promote respectful communication.

Materials:

• Hurtful Word Cards
• Timer or Stopwatch

Prep (5 minutes):

• Print and cut out all cards from the Hurtful Word Cards.
• Shuffle cards into a face-down stack for each team.
• Arrange two lines of chairs (or tape markers) facing each other for teams.
• Set timer for 6 minutes of gameplay.

Instructions:

1. Setup (2 minutes)
   
   • Divide students into two equal teams and have them form single-file lines facing each other.
     
   • Place one shuffled stack of hurtful-word cards in front of each first player.
     
   • Explain: “When you draw a card, read the hurtful phrase aloud. Then, rephrase it into a kind, supportive statement.”
2. Gameplay (6 minutes)
   
   • On “Go,” both first players draw a card simultaneously.
     
   • Each reads the hurtful phrase and immediately offers a kinder rephrasing (e.g., “You’re so stupid” becomes “Can I help explain? Everyone learns differently.”).
     
   • The partner responds with “Thank you.”
     
   • Both students then move to the end of their line—new players step forward.
     
   • Continue until the timer ends, focusing on quick thinking and empathy.
3. Debrief (2 minutes)
   
   • Ask: “Which rephrasing felt most helpful?”
     
   • Invite 2–3 students to share their favorite turn-around from the game.
     
   • Reinforce: “Turning harsh words into supportive ones helps everyone feel respected.”

Hurtful Word Cards (#hurtful-word-cards)

1. “You’re so stupid.”
   
   
   
2. “Why are you such a loser?”
   
   
   
3. “Nobody likes you.”
   
   
   
4. “You’re the worst partner ever.”
   
   
   
5. “You’ll never get this right.”
   
   
   
6. “You’re annoying me.”
   
   
   
7. “Stop being such a baby.”
   
   
   
8. “You made everything go wrong.”
   
   
   
9. “You don’t belong here.”
   
   
   
10. “I can’t stand you.”