Empathy Emotion Chart
Use this chart to sort the Social Awareness Scenario Cards under the emotion you think fits. Place or write each card under the correct heading.
Happy
Sad
Surprised
Angry
Scared
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Slide Deck
Social Superpower: Social Awareness
A 30-minute lesson for 5th graders to build empathy and understanding of others’ feelings.
Welcome students! Today we’re going to discover your Social Superpower—social awareness. Explain that noticing how others feel helps us build stronger friendships and be kinder classmates.
Lesson Objectives
- Identify and interpret emotions in social situations
- Reflect on others’ perspectives and feelings
- Practice showing empathy to build stronger friendships
Read each objective aloud and check for understanding. Emphasize that these goals will guide our activities.
What Is Social Awareness?
Social awareness means noticing and understanding others’ feelings and viewpoints.
Why it matters:
- Helps us respond kindly
- Builds trust and respect
- Strengthens our relationships
Define social awareness. Ask students for examples of times they noticed a friend’s feelings.
Empathy Emotion Chart
We’ll use the Empathy Emotion Chart with these categories:
• Happy
• Sad
• Surprised
• Angry
• Scared
Display or pass around the chart. Point out the five emotion categories and invite quick examples.
Scenario Card Sorting
• Pair up and grab 3–4 Social Awareness Scenario Cards
• Read each scenario together
• Discuss what emotion the person might feel
• Place the card under the matching emotion on the chart
Explain the card-sorting process. Remind pairs to look for clues like facial expressions, words, and actions.
Sample Scenario
"Jack saw his friend sitting alone at lunch, head down and shoulders slumped."
Questions:
• How might Jack’s friend feel?
• What clues helped you decide?
Read the sample scenario aloud. Ask: What clues tell you how this person feels? Encourage a few quick responses.
Feelings Reflection
Use the Feelings Reflection Sheet to choose one scenario and answer:
- How would you feel in this situation?
- How do you think the other person feels?
- What could you say or do to show you understand their feelings?
Distribute the reflection sheets. Walk students through each prompt and model an example if needed.
Class Discussion
Volunteer to share one of your reflections:
• What clues did you use to identify the emotion?
• Why is noticing others’ feelings important?
Invite 2–3 volunteers to share. Highlight the clues they noticed and the kinds words or actions suggested.
Keep Practicing Your Superpower
Look for social clues all day:
• Facial expressions
• Tone of voice
• Body language
Showing awareness builds kindness and stronger friendships!
Wrap up by encouraging students to practice social awareness throughout the day and celebrate their efforts.
Worksheet
Social Awareness Scenario Cards
Cut out each card and use during the Scenario Card Sorting activity. Read the scenario aloud or with a partner, then decide which emotion best fits and what clues helped you decide.
- Jack saw his friend sitting alone at lunch, head down and shoulders slumped.
- Mia walked into class looking at her phone with tears in her eyes.
- Carlos smiled broadly and gave high-fives to classmates during recess.
- Sara stood by the art board, staring at her unfinished drawing with a furrowed brow.
- Darnell crossed his arms and frowned after missing a shot in the basketball game.
- Emma nervously bit her nails before presenting her book report to the class.
- Leo whispered with friends but kept glancing nervously toward the teacher.
- Ana sighed loudly and rested her head on her desk during quiet reading time.
- Noah clenched his jaw and gripped his pencil tightly during the math test.
- Lily jumped up and down, waving her hand excitedly to answer a question.
Worksheet
Worksheet
Feelings Reflection Sheet
Use this sheet to reflect in writing on one of the scenarios you sorted on the Empathy Emotion Chart. Think about how you would feel, how the other person feels, and ways to show empathy.
Scenario You Chose:
-
How would you feel in this situation?
-
How do you think the other person feels?
-
What could you say or do to show you understand their feelings?
Lesson Plan
Social Superpower Lesson Plan
Students will identify and interpret emotions in various social scenarios and reflect on others’ perspectives to build empathy and stronger friendships.
Understanding others’ feelings helps students develop empathy, kindness, and respectful interactions, laying the foundation for a positive classroom community.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive scenarios and guided reflection
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
5 minutes
Step 1
Introduction to Social Awareness
5 minutes
Step 2
Scenario Card Sorting
10 minutes
Step 3
Feelings Reflection
10 minutes
Step 4
Class Discussion and Wrap-Up
5 minutes