Slide Deck
Social Superpowers Activated!
Understanding Others, Understanding Ourselves!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of social awareness. Explain that today's lesson will help them understand how to better connect with others.
Warm-Up: What Do You See?
Look closely at this image. What do you observe?
What do you think others might see differently?
Display the image from the Warm-Up: What Do You See? material. Ask students to silently observe and think about what they see. Then ask them to share, prompting for different interpretations. Emphasize that different perspectives are valid.
Watch this short video to understand the basics of social awareness and why it's a vital skill!
Introduce the concept of social awareness. Define it simply and explain its importance in daily life – in school, with friends, and at home. Ask students for initial thoughts on what social awareness means to them. This video provides a great visual explanation of social awareness.
Your Social Superpower: Empathy!
Empathy is feeling with someone. It's about putting yourself in someone else's shoes.
Why is empathy important?
- Builds stronger friendships.
- Helps resolve disagreements.
- Makes you a better listener.
Introduce the idea of 'social thermometers' or 'social radars' as tools to gauge social situations. Explain that paying attention to verbal and non-verbal cues helps us understand what's happening around us. Display an image that visually represents empathy or understanding.
Scenario Challenge!
Imagine this:
During a group project, one team member seems quiet and isn't contributing much. You notice they keep looking down at their phone.
- What might they be feeling?
- What might be happening?
- How can you show social awareness in this situation?
Present a short, relatable scenario where social awareness is key. Guide students through how different characters might be feeling and what a socially aware person might do. This leads into the discussion activity. Display an image that visually represents the scenario.
Group Discussion: Put Your Superpowers to Work!
In your groups, discuss the scenarios in your Social Superpowers Discussion Guide.
Think about:
- What are the emotions involved?
- What are different perspectives?
- What is the best way to respond?
Explain that students will be discussing scenarios in small groups. Provide clear instructions for the Social Superpowers Discussion Guide. Circulate and facilitate during the activity.
Share Your Insights!
What did your groups discover?
- Any surprising perspectives?
- What strategies can we use to be more socially aware?
Bring the class back together and have groups share key takeaways from their discussions. Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion, highlighting important points about empathy, perspective, and effective responses.
Activate Your Social Superpowers Everyday!
Social awareness helps you:
- Connect better with others.
- Understand different viewpoints.
- Navigate social situations with confidence.
Keep practicing!
Conclude the lesson by summarizing the main points and reinforcing the value of social awareness. Explain that this is a skill that grows with practice. Use the Cool Down activity.
Cool Down: Reflection
What's one new thing you learned about social awareness today, or one way you plan to practice it this week?
Distribute the Cool Down: Social Awareness Reflection or have students respond verbally. Collect responses to gauge understanding.
Script
Social Superpowers Activated! - Teacher Script
Warm-Up: What Do You See? (5 minutes)
(Display Slide 2: "Warm-Up: What Do You See?")
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! To kick things off today, take a look at the image on the screen. I want you to silently observe it for a moment. What do you see? What stands out to you?"
(Pause for students to observe.)
"Now, I want you to think: What do you imagine someone else, perhaps sitting next to you, might see? Could there be different interpretations?"
(After a brief pause, invite a few students to share their observations and potential different interpretations. Encourage diverse responses.)
"Excellent! What we just did, looking at something and considering how others might see it differently, is a great starting point for our topic today: social awareness. It’s all about understanding that people experience the world in unique ways."
Introduction to Social Awareness (5 minutes)
(Display Slide 3: "What is Social Awareness?")
"So, what exactly is social awareness? Simply put, it’s like having a superpower that helps you understand the world around you, especially the people in it. It's your ability to pick up on what others are feeling, thinking, and experiencing, even if they don't say it directly."
"Think of it as having a social radar. It helps you:
- Understand the feelings of others.
- Take different perspectives – putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.
- Recognize social cues, like body language or tone of voice.
- And understand how your words and actions might affect others."
"Why is this superpower so important? Well, it helps us build stronger friendships, understand different viewpoints, resolve disagreements more peacefully, and navigate all sorts of social situations with confidence. It makes you a better teammate, a better friend, and a better community member."
Your Social Superpower: Empathy! (5 minutes)
(Display Slide 4: "Your Social Superpower: Empathy!")
"One of the biggest components of social awareness is empathy. Has anyone heard that word before? What do you think it means?"
(Allow 1-2 student responses.)
"Great ideas! Empathy is more than just feeling sorry for someone; it’s about feeling with someone. It’s truly trying to understand their emotions as if you were experiencing them yourself. It’s putting yourself in their shoes."
"Imagine your friend is upset because they didn't do well on a test. Sympathy might be saying, 'Oh, that's too bad.' Empathy is remembering how you felt when you struggled with something, and saying, 'I know how frustrating that feels. I've been there.'"
"Why is empathy so important?"
- "It builds stronger connections and friendships because people feel understood."
- "It helps us resolve disagreements because we can see where the other person is coming from."
- "And it makes us better listeners and more supportive friends."
Scenario Challenge! (5 minutes)
(Display Slide 5: "Scenario Challenge!")
"Now, let's put our social awareness skills to the test with a quick scenario. Imagine this: During a group project, one of your team members seems very quiet. They aren't contributing much to the discussion, and you notice they keep looking down at their phone instead of at the group."
(Give students a moment to think.)
"Based on what we've discussed about social awareness and empathy, what might this person be feeling? What could be happening with them? And, most importantly, how can you, as a socially aware teammate, respond in this situation? Think about the different perspectives involved."
(Invite a few students to share their thoughts and possible responses. Guide them to consider multiple reasons for the behavior and empathetic responses.)
"Those are insightful observations! Sometimes, what we see on the surface isn't the whole story. Being socially aware means we pause, consider possibilities, and choose our response carefully."
Group Discussion: Put Your Superpowers to Work! (8 minutes)
(Display Slide 6: "Group Discussion: Put Your Superpowers to Work!")
"Now it’s your turn to really put these social superpowers to work! I’m going to divide you into small groups. Each group will receive a Social Superpowers Discussion Guide with a few scenarios. Your task is to discuss each scenario using your social awareness and empathy skills."
"For each scenario, I want you to think about:
- What are the emotions involved for everyone?
- What are the different perspectives at play?
- And what is the most socially aware and empathetic way to respond or help?"
"You'll have about 8 minutes for this activity. Choose one person to be a note-taker and another to be a reporter who will share your group's best insights with the class. Any questions?"
(Divide students into groups, distribute the Social Superpowers Discussion Guide, and set a timer. Circulate among groups to facilitate discussion and offer guidance.)
Share Your Insights! (5 minutes)
(Display Slide 7: "Share Your Insights!")
"Alright, let's bring it back together. Wonderful discussions, everyone! I heard some really thoughtful ideas as I walked around."
"Who would like to share one of their scenarios and discuss what your group came up with? What were some of the key emotions or perspectives you identified? What strategies did you discuss for being more socially aware in that situation?"
(Call on a few group reporters to share. Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion, highlighting common themes and effective strategies. Emphasize that there isn't always one right answer, but rather a spectrum of socially aware responses. Aim to connect student responses back to the key components of social awareness and empathy.)
"Fantastic contributions, everyone! It’s clear you’re all activating your social superpowers."
Activate Your Social Superpowers Everyday! (2 minutes)
(Display Slide 8: "Activate Your Social Superpowers Everyday!")
"As we wrap up today, remember that social awareness isn't just something we talk about in class. It’s a skill you can use every single day to make your interactions better and build stronger relationships."
"It helps you connect better with others, understand different viewpoints, and navigate all sorts of social situations with confidence. The more you practice, the stronger your social superpowers will become!"
Cool Down: Reflection (3 minutes)
(Display Slide 9: "Cool Down: Reflection")
"To finish up, I’d like you to take a moment to reflect. I’m handing out a quick Cool Down: Social Awareness Reflection sheet. On it, please write down one new thing you learned about social awareness today, or one way you plan to practice it this week."
(Distribute the Cool Down: Social Awareness Reflection. Allow students time to write. Collect responses as they finish.)
"Thank you all for your thoughtful participation today! You’ve shown great social awareness and empathy. I look forward to seeing your superpowers in action."
Discussion
Social Superpowers Discussion Guide
Instructions: In your groups, read each scenario below. Discuss the questions that follow, thinking about social awareness and empathy. Be ready to share your group's insights with the class.
Scenario 1: The Frustrated Friend
Your friend, usually very outgoing, has been quiet and withdrawn in class for the past few days. They snap at you when you ask them if they want to play basketball at lunch. Later, you overhear them talking about a difficult family situation at home.
Discussion Questions:
- What emotions might your friend be feeling? (Consider both visible and hidden emotions.)
- What might be their perspective in this situation? How is it different from your initial thought?
- How can you show social awareness and empathy in your response to your friend? What could you say or do?
Scenario 2: The Group Project Dilemma
Your group is working on a presentation, and one member consistently interrupts others, dominates the conversation, and dismisses ideas that aren't their own. Other group members are starting to look frustrated and aren't speaking up as much.
Discussion Questions:
- What emotions might the other group members be feeling? What about the person who is dominating?
- What are the different perspectives at play within the group?
- As a socially aware group member, how might you address this situation respectfully and effectively to help everyone contribute?
Warm Up
Warm-Up: What Do You See?
Take a moment to look at the image below.
1. What do you see in this image?
- Do you think others might see something different? What else could someone see?
Cool Down
Cool Down: Social Awareness Reflection
Take a moment to reflect on today's lesson.
-
What is one new thing you learned about social awareness today?
-
What is one way you can practice social awareness in your daily life this week (e.g., at home, with friends, in another class)?
Lesson Plan
Social Superpowers Activated!
Students will be able to define social awareness, identify key components such as empathy and perspective-taking, and apply these concepts to understand different social situations.
Understanding social awareness is crucial for building strong relationships, resolving conflicts peacefully, and thriving in diverse environments. It empowers students to be more compassionate and effective communicators.
Audience
8th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through guided discussion and engaging activities.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Social Superpowers Slide Deck, Social Superpowers Discussion Guide, Markers or pens, Warm-Up: What Do You See?, and Cool Down: Social Awareness Reflection
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Read through the Social Superpowers Discussion Guide to prepare for facilitating student conversations.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for use, and markers/pens are available.
- Prepare to display the image from the Warm-Up: What Do You See? material.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Do You See?
5 minutes
- Ask students: "What do you see? What do you think others might see?"
- Facilitate a brief discussion, emphasizing that different people can see the same thing in different ways. This sets the stage for perspective-taking. Refer to the Social Superpowers Slide Deck for the warm-up slide.
Step 2
Introduction to Social Awareness
5 minutes
- Define social awareness as understanding the feelings, thoughts, and perspectives of others, as well as being aware of social cues and group dynamics.
- Discuss why it's a crucial life skill for building strong relationships and navigating diverse environments. Refer to the Social Superpowers Script for detailed talking points.
Step 3
Your Social Superpower: Empathy!
5 minutes
- Explain empathy as
Step 4
Scenario Challenge!
5 minutes
- Guide students through how different characters might be feeling and what a socially aware person might do.
- Encourage a brief whole-class discussion, drawing on examples from the Social Superpowers Script.
Step 5
Group Discussion: Put Your Superpowers to Work!
8 minutes
- Distribute the Social Superpowers Discussion Guide to each group.
- Instruct groups to discuss the scenarios, focusing on emotions, perspectives, and socially aware responses.
- Circulate among groups to facilitate discussion and offer guidance. Refer to the Social Superpowers Script for facilitation tips.
Step 6
Share Your Insights!
5 minutes
- Have groups share key takeaways from their discussions.
- Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion, highlighting important points about empathy, perspective, and effective responses. Refer to the Social Superpowers Script for prompts and guidance.
Step 7
Activate Your Social Superpowers Everyday!
2 minutes
- Emphasize that social awareness is a skill that grows with practice and can be used in daily life. Refer to the Social Superpowers Slide Deck and Social Superpowers Script for concluding remarks.
Step 8
Cool Down: Reflection
3 minutes
- Collect responses to gauge understanding and encourage personal reflection.
- Thank students for their participation.