Guided Scenario Script

Session Overview

Time: 15 minutes | Individual with 7th Grade Student | Focus: Perspective-Taking

1. Greeting and Purpose (2 minutes)

Teacher: “Hi [Student Name], great to see you! Today we’re going to practice stepping into someone else’s shoes. This skill is called perspective-taking, and it helps us understand how others might feel and why they feel that way. Ready to get started?”

Pause and wait for the student’s response.

2. Define and Review Perspective-Taking (2 minutes)

Teacher: “Perspective-taking means imagining what someone else is thinking or feeling in a situation. Let’s try a quick example. Suppose your friend just lost a game they really wanted to win. How do you think they feel?”

• If student answers “sad” → Teacher: “Yes! They might feel sad, disappointed, or frustrated. Why do you think they feel that way?”

Pause for response.

Teacher: “Exactly. They probably worked hard and hoped to win. When it doesn’t go as planned, it’s natural to feel disappointed.”
 
 

3. Guided Scenario Practice (5 minutes)

Teacher: “Now let’s use our Scaffolded Thought Map. I’ll read a scenario aloud, then ask you questions. You can write brief answers in each section of the map.”

Scenario 1: “At lunchtime, Jordan sits alone at a table while everyone else is chatting and laughing at another table.”

Step 1 – What Happened?
Teacher: “Can you tell me what happened in this scenario?”
Pause.

Step 2 – How Is Jordan Feeling?
Teacher: “How do you think Jordan feels right now? Why?”
Pause.

Step 3 – Why Might They Feel That Way?
Teacher: “What might have caused Jordan to feel that way?”
Pause.

Step 4 – What Could You Do?
Teacher: “What could you do if you saw someone sitting alone at lunch?”
Pause.

Teacher: “Great thinking! Let’s quickly review your answers together.”

4. Independent Scenario Practice (4 minutes)

Teacher: “Now I’ll read a new scenario. Fill out the same four sections on your thought map on your own. Take about two minutes, then we’ll discuss.”

Scenario 2: “A new student, Alex, tries to join a group project but the other students ignore them and continue without including Alex.”

Pause and let student write.

Teacher: “Time’s up! Let’s talk about your answers.”

• “What did you write for how Alex feels?”
• “Why do you think Alex feels that way?”
• “What could you do to help Alex feel included?”

Discuss each briefly.

5. Reflection and Wrap-Up (2 minutes)

Teacher: “You did a fantastic job putting yourself in someone else’s shoes today. To finish: how might perspective-taking help you in real life?”

Pause.

Teacher: “Can you give me one example of a time you could use this skill?”

Pause.

Teacher: “Wonderful. Remember, the more you practice perspective-taking, the better you’ll be at understanding and helping others. Thanks for your hard work today!”
 
 

Materials:

• Scaffolded Thought Map

Scaffolded Thought Map

Use this map to work through each scenario. Write your responses in the space provided.

Scenario 1: ___________________________________________

1. What happened in this scenario?

1. How is the person feeling? Why?

1. Why might they feel that way?

1. What could you do to help?

Scenario 2: ___________________________________________

1. What happened in this scenario?

1. How is the person feeling? Why?

1. Why might they feel that way?

1. What could you do to help?