The Empathy Game

Madison Janicola

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

The Empathy Game

Foster empathy and kindness

In this lesson, students will engage in interactive games designed to help them recognize and understand the feelings of others. Through discussion and reflection activities, students will learn to foster empathy and kindness. This lesson is important as it helps young students develop social-emotional skills that are crucial for their personal and social development.

Audience

Kindergarten to 3rd Grade

Time

30 mins

Approach

Foster empathy and kindness

Materials

Printable Emotion Cards, Discussion Questions, and Reflection Worksheet

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

Begin by explaining the concept of empathy in simple terms: understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
Ask students if they can think of a time when they felt happy, sad, or excited and how they knew what they were feeling.

Step 2

Interactive Game

10 mins

Use the Printable Emotion Cards to play a game where students pick a card and act out the emotion shown.
Other students guess the emotion and discuss what might make someone feel that way.
Encourage students to think about how they would feel in a similar situation.

Step 3

Discussion

10 mins

Use the Discussion Questions to guide a conversation about empathy.
Encourage students to share their thoughts and listen to others.
Discuss why it's important to understand how others feel and how it can help us be kind.

Step 4

Reflection

5 mins

Hand out the Reflection Worksheet for students to complete.
Ask students to draw or write about a time they showed empathy or kindness.
Allow students to share their reflections with the class if they feel comfortable.

Step 5

Closure

5 mins

Recap the importance of empathy and kindness.
Encourage students to practice empathy in their daily interactions.
Thank students for their participation and thoughtful contributions.

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Worksheet

Printable Emotion Cards

These cards are used in the interactive game to help students identify and act out different emotions.

Happy

Sad

Excited

Angry

Surprised

Scared

Confused

Proud

Discussion

Discussion Questions

These questions guide a conversation about empathy and understanding others' feelings.

What is empathy?

Explain empathy as understanding and sharing the feelings of others.

Why is it important to understand how others feel?

Discuss how empathy can help us be kind and supportive.

Can you think of a time when you showed empathy?

Encourage students to share personal experiences.

Worksheet

Reflection Worksheet

This worksheet allows students to reflect on their experiences with empathy and kindness.

Draw or write about a time you showed empathy or kindness.

Think about a time you helped someone or understood how they felt.