Lesson Plan
Perspective Paths: Stepping into Another's Shoes
Students will learn to consider how others might feel in different situations and understand that people can have varied experiences and emotions to foster kindness, reduce conflict, and build a more inclusive classroom environment.
This lesson is important because understanding different perspectives builds empathy, which is crucial for creating a supportive and inclusive classroom. It helps students navigate social situations, resolve conflicts peacefully, and appreciate the diversity of human experiences.
Audience
K-5th Grade Students
Time
45-60 minutes
Approach
Interactive storytelling and role-play activities.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector for Slide Deck, Markers or crayons, Construction paper or drawing materials, Story Scenario Cards, and Empathy Action Worksheet
Prep
Preparation Steps
20 minutes
- Review the Perspective Paths: Stepping into Another's Shoes Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Slide Deck, Story Scenario Cards, and Empathy Action Worksheet.
- Print and cut out the Story Scenario Cards.
- Gather construction paper or drawing materials and markers/crayons for students.
- Set up the projector or smartboard for the Slide Deck.
Step 1
Warm-Up: How Do You Feel?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students to think about a time they felt happy, sad, or excited. (1 minute)
- Invite a few students to share their experiences briefly. (2 minutes)
- Introduce the idea that everyone has different feelings and experiences. (2 minutes)
- Teacher Note: Use Slide 2 for this warm-up.
Step 2
Introducing Perspective Paths
10 minutes
- Explain that today, they will embark on
Step 3
Story Time & Role-Play
20 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group). (2 minutes)
- Give each group one or two Story Scenario Cards. (3 minutes)
- Instruct groups to read their scenario and discuss how each character might feel and why. (5 minutes)
- Encourage them to think about what they would do if they were in that character's shoes. (5 minutes)
- Have each group briefly act out their scenario and share their insights with the class. (5 minutes)
- Teacher Note: Facilitate discussion and ensure all students have a chance to participate. Use Slides 5-7 to guide this section.
Step 4
Empathy Action Worksheet
10 minutes
- Distribute the Empathy Action Worksheet to each student. (1 minute)
- Explain that they will choose one scenario (from the cards or their own experience) and draw/write about it, focusing on how different people might feel and what actions they can take to show empathy. (2 minutes)
- Students will complete the worksheet independently. (7 minutes)
- Teacher Note: Circulate and provide support as needed. Use Slide 8 to introduce the worksheet.
Step 5
Share & Reflect
8 minutes
- Invite students to share their drawings or writings from the Empathy Action Worksheet with a partner or the whole class. (5 minutes)
- Facilitate a brief class discussion on what they learned about stepping into another's shoes and how it can help them be better friends and classmates. (3 minutes)
- Teacher Note: Emphasize the importance of listening and respecting different viewpoints. Use Slide 9 for reflection.
Step 6
Cool-Down: Empathy Challenge
2 minutes
- Challenge students to practice stepping into someone else's shoes at least once before the next class. (1 minute)
- Ask them to think about how someone else might feel in a situation they encounter. (1 minute)
- Teacher Note: Conclude by reinforcing the lesson's main message. Use Slide 10 for the cool-down.
Slide Deck
Perspective Paths: Stepping into Another's Shoes
Let's learn to understand each other!
Welcome students and introduce the lesson title. Briefly explain that today they will learn about understanding how others feel.
How Do You Feel Today?
Think about a time you felt...
- Happy 😊
- Sad 😥
- Excited 🤩
Why did you feel that way?
Ask students to think about a time they felt happy, sad, or excited. Encourage a few to share their feelings and why they felt that way. Emphasize that everyone has different feelings.
What Does 'Stepping into Another's Shoes' Mean?
It means trying to understand how someone else feels, even if it's different from how you feel. It's about seeing things from their point of view!
Introduce the concept of 'stepping into another's shoes' as understanding someone else's feelings and thoughts. Use simple language and examples.
Why is Empathy Important?
When we step into someone else's shoes, we can:
- Be kinder friends
- Help solve problems
- Make our classroom a better place!
Explain that understanding others helps us be kinder, solve problems, and make our classroom a happier place for everyone.
Story Time: What Would You Do?
Now, let's read some stories!
In your groups, you will get a story card. Read it together and discuss:
- How do the characters feel?
- Why do they feel that way?
- What would you do if you were them?
Introduce the Story Scenario Cards. Explain that students will work in groups to read stories and imagine how the characters feel. Encourage active listening and discussion.
Example Scenario
Sarah accidentally knocked over Leo's block tower. Leo looks sad and angry. Sarah didn't mean to do it.
- How does Leo feel?
- How does Sarah feel?
- What could Sarah do?
Show an example of a scenario card to model the activity. Prompt students to think about emotions and motivations.
Time to Discuss and Share!
Work with your group to discuss your scenario. Be ready to:
- Share how the characters might feel.
- Explain why they might feel that way.
- Show us what you would do!
Remind students to discuss in their groups and prepare to share their role-play or discussion with the class.
Empathy Action Worksheet
Now it's your turn to create!
Choose a scenario (from our stories or your own idea) and think about it.
On your Empathy Action Worksheet:
- Draw or write about the situation.
- Show how different people might feel.
- Write or draw an action you can take to show empathy.
Introduce the Empathy Action Worksheet. Explain that students will choose a scenario and draw/write about showing empathy. Guide them to think about feelings and actions.
Sharing Our Creations
Let's share what we learned!
- Share your worksheet with a partner or the class.
- What did you learn about stepping into someone else's shoes?
- How can this help us be better friends?
Facilitate sharing. Encourage students to explain their work and reflect on how showing empathy impacts situations. Emphasize that everyone's feelings are valid.
Your Empathy Challenge!
Your challenge this week:
- Try to step into someone else's shoes at least ONCE!
- Think about how another person might be feeling.
- Practice kindness and understanding!
Thank you for learning about Perspective Paths!
Give students a challenge to practice empathy in their daily lives. Conclude by reinforcing the importance of empathy and kindness.
Activity
Story Scenario Cards
Instructions: Read each scenario with your group. Discuss how each character might feel and why. Then, discuss what you would do if you were in that character's shoes. Be ready to share with the class!
Scenario 1: The Missing Snack
Maya brought her favorite apple to school for snack time. When she opened her lunchbox, the apple was gone! She saw Liam eating an apple that looked just like hers.
- How might Maya feel?
- How might Liam feel (if he accidentally took her apple or if he took it on purpose)?
- What could happen next? What could Maya or Liam do?
Scenario 2: New Kid in Class
A new student, Sam, joined your class today. During recess, Sam stood by themselves, watching everyone play, but not joining in.
- How might Sam feel?
- How might the other students feel about Sam?
- What could you do to help Sam feel welcome?
Scenario 3: The Broken Toy
Maria was playing with her new toy car on the playground. Her friend, David, wanted to play with it too. David grabbed the car, and it accidentally broke. Maria started to cry.
- How might Maria feel?
- How might David feel?
- What could David do to make things better?
Scenario 4: A Different Game
Some friends are playing soccer. Another group of friends wants to play tag. They both want to use the same part of the field.
- How might the soccer players feel?
- How might the tag players feel?
- What could both groups do to solve this problem fairly?
Worksheet
Empathy Action Worksheet: Stepping into Their Shoes
Name: ________________________
Instructions: Choose one of the story scenarios we discussed, or think of a time when someone felt a strong emotion. In the box below, draw a picture of the situation. Then, answer the questions below.
My Empathy Scenario
(Draw your scenario here)
Thinking About Feelings
-
Who is in your scenario? (List the people involved)
-
How do you think ____________________ feels? (Pick one person from your drawing)
-
Why do you think they feel that way?
-
How do you think another person in the scenario feels? (Pick another person, or yourself if you were there)
-
Why do you think they feel that way?
Showing Empathy
-
What is ONE kind action you could take or say to show you understand how someone in your scenario feels?
-
How do you think that action would make them feel?