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Social Awareness Quest

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Lesson Plan

Social Awareness Quest Plan

Students will explore and define social awareness, practice perspective-taking through interactive activities, and measure their understanding with a pre-test and post-test.

Building social awareness fosters empathy, respectful interactions, and stronger classroom communities by helping students recognize and respond to others’ feelings and perspectives.

Audience

5th–7th Grade Students

Time

2 sessions, 15 minutes each

Approach

Pre-assess, define, practice empathy, reflect, and post-assess.

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Session 1: Pre-Test & Defining Social Awareness

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Social Awareness Pre-Test and allow 7 minutes for completion
  • Collect pre-tests and note baseline understanding
  • Ask: “What does social awareness mean?” Record student ideas on chart paper
  • Share a simple definition: “Social awareness is noticing and understanding how others feel and why.”
  • Discuss 2–3 real-life examples where social awareness matters

Step 2

Session 2: Perspective Activity & Post-Test

15 minutes

  • Pair students and give each a Perspective Card scenario
  • Students read their scenario aloud, identify the character’s feelings, and explain their reasoning (5 minutes)
  • Distribute the Reflection Worksheet and ask students to write about a time they recognized someone else’s feelings (4 minutes)
  • Collect worksheets, then hand out the Social Awareness Post-Test
  • Allow 5 minutes for students to complete the post-test and submit for assessment
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Slide Deck

Social Awareness Quest

2 sessions | 15 minutes each

Welcome students! Introduce the Social Awareness Quest unit. Explain we’ll explore noticing and understanding others’ feelings over two brief sessions.

Session Overview

Session 1: Pre-Test & Define Social Awareness
Session 2: Perspective Activity & Post-Test

Review the agenda so students know what to expect each day.

What Is Social Awareness?

Social awareness is noticing and understanding how others feel and why.

Ask students: “What does social awareness mean?” Highlight common ideas before showing the formal definition.

Why It Matters

• Helping a friend who is sad
• Noticing when someone is left out of a game
• Recognizing teammates’ feelings during group work

Share each example. Invite students to add more real-life situations where social awareness is helpful.

Session 1: Pre-Test

  1. Hand out the Social Awareness Pre-Test.
  2. Allow 7 minutes to complete.
  3. Collect all pre-tests.

Distribute the pre-test. Remind students to do their best and that it’s not graded. Collect when time is up.

Session 2: Perspective Activity

  1. Pair up and choose a Perspective Card.
  2. Read the scenario aloud.
  3. Identify the character’s feelings and explain your reasoning. (5 minutes)

Explain the steps. Walk around to support pairs as they discuss feelings and reasoning.

Reflection & Post-Test

  1. Complete the Reflection Worksheet – write about a time you recognized someone else’s feelings. (4 min)
  2. Take the Social Awareness Post-Test. (5 min)

Guide students through reflection and then distribute the post-test. Collect all materials at the end.

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Worksheet

Social Awareness Pre-Test

Name: ________________________________ Date: _______________

Section A: Rate the following statements on a scale of 1–5 (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree)

  1. I know what social awareness means. 1 2 3 4 5

  2. I can notice when someone else is feeling sad. 1 2 3 4 5

  3. I can tell if someone feels left out. 1 2 3 4 5

  4. I feel comfortable asking someone how they feel. 1 2 3 4 5

  5. I invite classmates to join when they seem alone. 1 2 3 4 5


Section B: Read the scenario below and answer the questions.

Scenario: Sam always plays by themselves during recess. Today you notice Sam sitting under a tree looking sad.

a) What feeling might Sam be experiencing?
__________________________________________________________

b) What is one thing you could do to show social awareness and help Sam feel included?
__________________________________________________________


Section C: Multiple Choice

When you see someone being left out, the most socially aware response is to:

□ A. Ignore them and keep playing with your friends.
□ B. Tell them to join in without asking how they feel.
□ C. Notice they’re alone, ask how they are feeling, and invite them to join.

Section D: Overall Self-Assessment

On a scale of 1–5 (1 = Not aware at all, 5 = Very aware), how would you rate your ability to notice and understand others’ feelings now?
My rating: ___
Explanation:
__________________________________________________________





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Worksheet

Social Awareness Post-Test

Name: ________________________________ Date: _______________

Section A: Rate the following statements on a scale of 1–5 (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree)

  1. I know what social awareness means. 1 2 3 4 5

  2. I can notice when someone else is feeling sad. 1 2 3 4 5

  3. I feel comfortable asking someone how they feel. 1 2 3 4 5

  4. I can tell when someone feels left out. 1 2 3 4 5

  5. I try to include classmates who seem alone. 1 2 3 4 5


Section B: In your own words, what is social awareness? Why is it important in our classroom and community?










Section C: List two ways you can notice how someone else is feeling. Provide a different example for each.

  1. ________________________________________________________


  2. ________________________________________________________


Section D: Read the scenario below. Then answer the questions.

Scenario: During lunch, you notice Jordan sitting alone at a table, staring at their tray quietly.

a) What feeling might Jordan be experiencing?
__________________________________________________________

b) What is one thing you could do to show social awareness and help Jordan feel included?
__________________________________________________________


Section E: Multiple Choice

When you see someone being left out, the most socially aware response is to:

□ A. Tell them to get over it and join without asking how they feel.
□ B. Notice they seem upset, ask if they’re okay, and invite them to join your table.
□ C. Wait for someone else to help first.

Section F: Overall Self-Assessment

On a scale of 1–5 (1 = Not aware at all, 5 = Very aware), how would you rate your ability to notice and understand others’ feelings now?
My rating: ___
Explanation:
__________________________________________________________





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Activity

Perspective Cards

Use these scenario cards in pairs to practice perspective-taking. For each card:

  1. Read the scenario aloud.
  2. Identify how the character might be feeling.
  3. Explain why you think they feel that way.

Download Perspective Cards


Card 1

During recess, you see Alex standing alone near the fence, watching others play tag but not joining in.


Card 2

In the cafeteria, Mia pushes her tray aside and pokes at her food without talking to anyone.


Card 3

In art class, Kevin looks frustrated and crumples his paper after making a mistake on his drawing.


Card 4

During group work, Sophia hasn’t shared her ideas and keeps looking down at her desk.


Card 5

In the hallway, Jordan is the last one walking at the end of the line, head down and shoulders slumped.


Card 6

On the playground, Raj is sitting on the swing but not swinging; he keeps glancing at his phone.


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Worksheet

Reflection Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: ___________

  1. Describe a time you noticed someone else’s feelings. Who was it and what was happening?





  2. What clues did you use to understand how they felt (words, facial expressions, actions)?





  3. How did you respond or what did you say to show you cared?





  4. How did your response affect them? How did it make you feel?





  5. What is one thing you can do in the future to be more socially aware in similar situations?





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Worksheet

Coping Skills and Strategies Handout

Name: ________________________________ Date: _______________

What Is a Coping Strategy?

A coping strategy is a tool or technique you use to manage strong emotions—like stress, worry, or frustration—so you can think clearly and act kindly.

Why Use Coping Strategies?

  • Helps you stay calm and focused
  • Lets you respond thoughtfully instead of reacting quickly
  • Supports social awareness by noticing how you and others feel
  • Builds healthy habits for school and at home

Coping Skills You Can Try

  1. Deep Breathing
    • How: Breathe in slowly for 4 seconds, hold for 2 seconds, breathe out for 6 seconds.
    • Why: Slows your heart rate and calms your mind.

  2. Positive Self-Talk
    • How: Say kind and encouraging things to yourself, like “I can handle this.”
    • Why: Reminds you of your strengths and boosts confidence.

  3. Counting to Ten
    • How: Slowly count from 1 to 10 in your head before you react.
    • Why: Gives your brain a moment to pause and plan a good response.

  4. Take a Short Break
    • How: Step away from the situation—walk, stretch, or find a quiet spot.
    • Why: Creates space to cool down and regain control of your feelings.

  5. Talk to a Trusted Person
    • How: Share how you feel with a friend, teacher, or family member.
    • Why: Talking it out helps you feel supported and understood.

  6. Perspective-Taking
    • How: Ask yourself, “How might they be feeling right now?”
    • Why: Builds empathy and helps you respond with kindness.

  7. Use an I-Statement
    • How: “I feel ___ when ___ because ___.”
    • Why: Shares your feelings clearly without blaming others.

  8. Physical Activity
    • How: Take a quick walk, do jumping jacks, or stretch.
    • Why: Releases tension and improves mood.

  9. Mindful Observation
    • How: Focus on one thing around you (a sound, object, or scent) for 30 seconds.
    • Why: Grounds you in the present moment and reduces worry.


My Favorite Strategies

  1. ________________________________________________________


  2. ________________________________________________________


  3. ________________________________________________________


My Coping Plan

When I notice I’m feeling upset or I see someone else upset, I will:
_________________________________________________________





Reflection After Using My Plan

How did using these strategies help me or someone else?
_________________________________________________________





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