Lesson Plan
Respect Roadmap
Students will define respect and empathy, analyze real-life scenarios to practice respectful choices, co-create a classroom code of conduct, and reflect on fostering a positive classroom community.
Building respect and empathy promotes a safe, inclusive classroom where students feel valued, reducing conflict and improving learning outcomes.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, scenario-based practice, collaborative code-writing, personal reflection.
Materials
- Empathy in Action Slide Deck, - Scenario Swap Discussion Cards, - Classroom Code Creator Worksheet, - Respect Reflections Journal, and - Whiteboard and Markers
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review Empathy in Action Slide Deck
- Review Scenario Swap Discussion Cards
- Preview Classroom Code Creator Worksheet
- Skim Respect Reflections Journal
- Arrange desks for group discussion and prepare chart paper with markers
Step 1
Introduction & Hook
5 minutes
- Ask: “What does respect look like and sound like?”
- Record student responses on whiteboard
- Highlight keywords: empathy, kindness, fairness
Step 2
Empathy in Action Presentation
10 minutes
- Display Empathy in Action Slide Deck
- Define respect and empathy with real-life examples
- Pause for quick check: thumbs up/down on understanding
Step 3
Scenario Swap Activity
15 minutes
- Pair students and distribute Scenario Swap Discussion Cards
- In pairs, read scenario and discuss respectful responses
- Swap cards with another pair and repeat
- Invite 2–3 pairs to share insights with class
Step 4
Classroom Code Creator
10 minutes
- Provide each group with Classroom Code Creator Worksheet
- Brainstorm 3–5 norms for a respectful classroom
- Post top ideas on chart paper and agree as a class
Step 5
Respect Reflections Cool-Down
5 minutes
- Students write one personal commitment in Respect Reflections Journal
- Invite volunteers to share their commitment
- Close by reinforcing importance of daily respectful actions
Slide Deck
Empathy in Action
Understanding Respect & Empathy
Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s mini-lesson: understanding respect and empathy. Tell students this will help them work together positively all year.
What Is Respect?
• Respect means treating others the way you want to be treated.
• It shows you value someone’s feelings, ideas, and property.
Ask students to call out words or actions that show respect. Jot ideas on the board. Then review the definition below.
What Is Empathy?
• Empathy means putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.
• It’s feeling how they feel and responding with kindness.
Invite volunteers to share a time they felt someone showed them empathy. Highlight how it felt.
Why Respect & Empathy Matter
• Builds trust and teamwork
• Helps solve conflicts peacefully
• Creates a safe, welcoming classroom
Highlight why these qualities matter. Encourage a quick pair-share: “Name one benefit of empathy in our classroom.”
Scenario: New Student at Lunch
You see a new classmate sitting alone at lunch. Some kids are teasing them in the hallway.
What could you do to show respect and empathy?
Read the scenario aloud or display it. Ask students what respectful, empathetic choices they could make.
Quick Understanding Check
Give me a thumbs up if you can define respect and empathy and explain why they matter.
Use this as a formative check. Thumbs up = ready, thumb sideways = need one more example, thumb down = need help. Adjust pace accordingly.
Coming Up Next
Scenario Swap Activity & Classroom Code Creator Worksheet
Transition: “Next, we’ll dive into more scenarios and co-create our classroom code. Get ready for the Scenario Swap Activity!”
Discussion
Scenario Swap Discussion Cards
Below are nine real-life scenarios. In pairs, read each scenario, discuss the guiding questions, then swap cards with another pair and tackle a new one. Be prepared to share your ideas!
Card 1: New Student at Lunch
Scenario: A new classmate sits alone at lunch. A few students walk by and make teasing comments.
Guiding Questions:
- What respectful actions could you take in this moment?
- How might empathy help you decide what to say or do?
- How would you feel if you were the new student?
Follow-Up Points:
- What if the new student seems hesitant to join you?
- How can you encourage others to include them too?
Card 2: Papers Scatter in Hallway
Scenario: As you pass through the hallway, a classmate drops a stack of papers. Some students stop to laugh.
Guiding Questions:
- How can you show respect to the student who dropped their papers?
- What empathetic words or actions would you offer?
- How could you respond to the students who are laughing?
Follow-Up Points:
- If the student seems embarrassed, what can you say to help?
- How would you involve others to create a supportive atmosphere?
Card 3: Excluded from a Game
Scenario: During recess, you notice a classmate standing alone near the playground equipment. A group of friends is playing a game without inviting them.
Guiding Questions:
- What could you say or do to show fairness?
- How can you practice empathy in inviting them to join?
- What if they say they don’t want to play—what next?
Follow-Up Points:
- How might you speak up if others object?
- What respectful language helps everyone feel welcome?
Card 4: Interrupted During Presentation
Scenario: In class presentations, one student repeatedly interrupts the speaker with jokes. The speaker looks frustrated.
Guiding Questions:
- How can you show respect to the presenter?
- What empathetic approach could you use to address the interrupter?
- How would you support the speaker afterward?
Follow-Up Points:
- How might you talk to the interrupter privately versus in front of the class?
- What if the interrupter says they’re “just joking”? How do you respond?
Card 5: Desk Graffiti
Scenario: You discover someone has scribbled on a friend’s desk in class. Your friend looks upset and frustrated.
Guiding Questions:
- What respectful steps can you take to help your friend?
- How can empathy shape how you talk about feelings of frustration?
- Should you involve the teacher or try to solve it on your own?
Follow-Up Points:
- How do you balance empathy for your friend with fairness toward the person who did it?
- What long-term actions could prevent this from happening again?
Card 6: Rumor Spreading in the Hallway
Scenario: You overhear a group of students spreading a false rumor about a classmate.
Guiding Questions:
- What respectful steps can you take when you hear this rumor?
- How could empathy guide you to support the classmate being targeted?
- What could you say to the students spreading the rumor?
Follow-Up Points:
- Should you involve a trusted adult? Why or why not?
- How can you help restore trust after a rumor?
Card 7: Group Project Disagreement
Scenario: In your history group, members argue over who should do which part, and one student feels left out.
Guiding Questions:
- How can you show respect when dividing tasks?
- What empathetic questions can you ask to understand everyone’s concerns?
- How could you ensure each member feels included?
Follow-Up Points:
- What if someone refuses to speak up? How do you encourage them?
- How do you handle if someone keeps dominating the discussion?
Card 8: Teasing About Clothing
Scenario: A classmate is teased for wearing clothes that others think are “uncool.”
Guiding Questions:
- What respectful comments could you make to the teaser and the target?
- How can empathy help you understand why the classmate might feel hurt?
- What actions could you take to stop the teasing?
Follow-Up Points:
- How might you address stereotypes or judgments about appearance?
- How can you encourage a culture of acceptance?
Card 9: Lost Borrowed Item
Scenario: You lent your favorite book to a classmate, and it comes back damaged. They apologize but look upset.
Guiding Questions:
- How can you respectfully express your feelings about the damage?
- What empathetic response could you offer when they apologize?
- How might you work together to fix or replace the book?
Follow-Up Points:
- How can you set respectful expectations when lending items in the future?
- What does this situation teach us about trust and responsibility?
Activity
Classroom Code Creator Worksheet
Group Name: ______________________ Members: ______________________
1. Brainstorm Classroom Norms
List at least five ways we can show respect and empathy in our classroom:
- __________________________________________
- __________________________________________
- __________________________________________
- __________________________________________
- __________________________________________
2. Discuss & Vote
Discuss the brainstormed norms. Each member votes for the three norms they think are most important. Tally your votes below:
| Norm Idea | Votes |
|---|---|
| 1. _____________________________ | ___ |
| 2. _____________________________ | ___ |
| 3. _____________________________ | ___ |
3. Draft Our Code
Using your top three norms, write a clear, positive statement for each:
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
4. Reflection
How will our classroom code help everyone feel safe, included, and respected?
After your group finishes, post your draft on the chart paper. We'll review all drafts and agree on our final Classroom Code together!
Cool Down
Respect Reflections
Take a few quiet moments to think about today’s lesson on respect and empathy. Answer the prompts below in your journal.
- Describe one moment today when you or someone else showed respect in our classroom:
- How did showing or observing empathy make you or someone else feel? Why does that matter?
- What personal commitment will you make to practice respect and empathy tomorrow? Be specific:
- Share one idea for how we can keep our classroom a supportive, respectful space for everyone: