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The Empathy Lens Challenge

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Tia McMahon

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

The Empathy Lens Challenge

Enhance empathy and foster a more inclusive classroom and school environment by developing perspective-taking skills through scenario-based engagement, emotion identification, viewpoint consideration, and compassionate communication practice.

Understanding others' perspectives is crucial for building a respectful and inclusive community. This lesson equips students with tools to navigate social situations with greater compassion and understanding, reducing misunderstandings and promoting positive interactions.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive scenarios, group discussion, and reflective exercises.

Materials

Projector and computer, Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Empathy Lens Challenge Slide Deck, Empathy Scenario Cards (Activity), My Empathy Lens Worksheet, and Discussion Questions

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the Empathy Lens Challenge Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
    - Print and cut out the Empathy Scenario Cards (Activity). Make enough copies for small groups.
    - Print copies of the My Empathy Lens Worksheet for each student.
    - Prepare the whiteboard or chart paper for recording student responses during the discussion.
    - Review the Discussion Questions and anticipate potential student responses.
    - Ensure projector and computer are set up and working.

Step 1

Warm-Up: What is Empathy?

5 minutes

  • Display the first slide of the Empathy Lens Challenge Slide Deck asking "What does it mean to step into someone else's shoes?"
    - Ask students to share their initial thoughts with a partner.
    - Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion, guiding them towards the concept of empathy. Use the definitions provided in the slide deck.

Step 2

Introducing the Empathy Lens

10 minutes

  • Present slides explaining the "Empathy Lens" concept: identifying emotions, considering viewpoints, and compassionate communication.
    - Provide examples for each component, using relatable situations for 7th graders.
    - Emphasize that empathy is a skill that can be developed and strengthened.

Step 3

Activity: Empathy Scenario Challenge

15 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
    - Distribute the Empathy Scenario Cards (Activity) to each group (1-2 cards per group, depending on time).
    - Instruct groups to read their scenarios and, using the "Empathy Lens," discuss the following questions (which are also on the cards):
    - What emotions might the person in the scenario be feeling?
    - What might be their perspective or viewpoint?
    - How could you respond with compassionate communication?
    - Circulate among groups, providing guidance and facilitating deeper thinking.

Step 4

Share and Discuss

10 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
    - Ask each group to share one scenario and their group's application of the "Empathy Lens."
    - Facilitate a whole-class discussion using the Discussion Questions, encouraging students to reflect on common themes and challenges.
    - Address any misconceptions and reinforce key takeaways.

Step 5

Wrap-Up: My Empathy Lens Reflection

5 minutes

  • Distribute the My Empathy Lens Worksheet.
    - Instruct students to complete the reflection questions individually.
    - Collect the worksheets as an exit ticket or assign for homework.
    - Conclude by reiterating the importance of empathy in their daily lives and encouraging them to practice using their "Empathy Lens."
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Slide Deck

The Empathy Lens Challenge

Stepping into Someone Else's Shoes

Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce the idea of 'stepping into someone else's shoes' as a starting point for today's challenge.

Think-Pair-Share

What does it mean to 'step into someone else's shoes'?

Ask students to turn to a partner and discuss this question for a minute or two. Then, facilitate a brief whole-class share-out. Guide them towards understanding it means trying to understand how someone else feels or thinks.

What is Empathy?

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It's about putting yourself in their situation and trying to see things from their point of view.

Define empathy clearly for students. Emphasize that it's more than just feeling sorry for someone; it's about understanding their feelings and perspective.

Introducing the Empathy Lens

The Empathy Lens is a tool to help us better understand others and respond kindly. It has three parts:

Introduce the idea of the 'Empathy Lens' as a tool. Explain that it has three key parts that we'll explore. This is the core concept of the lesson.

Part 1: Identify Emotions

What feelings might someone be experiencing?

  • Look for clues (facial expressions, body language, tone of voice).
  • Think about the situation.
  • Don't assume; try to observe and consider.

Explain the first part: identifying emotions. Give examples of how emotions can be visible or hidden. Ask students to think about how they show emotions.

Part 2: Consider Viewpoints

How might the situation look from their side?

  • Everyone has unique experiences and beliefs.
  • Their past might influence their present feelings.
  • What information do they have that you don't?

Explain the second part: considering viewpoints. Highlight that everyone has different experiences that shape their perspective. Give a simple example like two people seeing a '6' or '9' from different sides.

Part 3: Compassionate Communication

How can you respond in a way that shows care and understanding?

  • Listen actively.
  • Offer support.
  • Use kind and respectful words.
  • Avoid judgment.

Explain the third part: compassionate communication. Connect it to identifying emotions and considering viewpoints. What would be a kind and helpful response?

Activity Time!

Now it's your turn to practice using your Empathy Lens!

  • Work in small groups.
  • Read your scenario carefully.
  • Discuss and apply the 3 parts of the Empathy Lens.

Briefly introduce the upcoming activity. Explain that students will work in small groups to apply the Empathy Lens to different scenarios. Emphasize teamwork and respectful discussion.

Share Your Insights

Let's hear what you discussed!

  • Each group will share one scenario and how they used the Empathy Lens.
  • What did you learn from these situations?

After the group activity, bring students back to share. Guide the discussion, ensuring all groups have a chance to contribute and learn from each other's applications of empathy.

Keep Using Your Empathy Lens!

Empathy is a superpower that helps us build stronger relationships and a kinder community.

Keep practicing your Empathy Lens every day!

Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the main message about empathy being a valuable skill and encouraging students to practice it in their daily lives.

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Activity

Empathy Scenario Cards

Instructions: Work with your group to read each scenario carefully. Use your "Empathy Lens" to discuss the situation. Answer the questions below for each scenario.

Scenario 1: The Frustrated Friend

Your friend, Alex, usually loves playing basketball, but today they missed several easy shots and slammed the ball to the ground in frustration. They look angry and upset, and when you try to talk to them, they just shrug and walk away.

  1. Identify Emotions: What emotions might Alex be feeling? Why?






  2. Consider Viewpoints: What might be Alex's perspective? Is there anything else that could be going on for them (even if you don't know for sure)?






  3. Compassionate Communication: How could you respond to Alex in a way that shows care and understanding?






Scenario 2: The New Student

A new student, Maya, joined your class last week. She often sits by herself during lunch and seems quiet in class. You notice other students don't talk to her much, and she sometimes looks down at her desk when people are laughing.

  1. Identify Emotions: What emotions might Maya be feeling? Why?






  2. Consider Viewpoints: What might be Maya's perspective? What challenges might she be facing as a new student?






  3. Compassionate Communication: How could you respond to Maya in a way that shows care and understanding?






Scenario 3: The Group Project Dilemma

Your group has a big project due next week. One of your group members, Sam, hasn't contributed much work, and the deadline is approaching fast. You feel stressed and a little angry because you and others are doing most of the work.

  1. Identify Emotions: What emotions might you and other group members be feeling? What emotions might Sam be feeling?






  2. Consider Viewpoints: What might be Sam's perspective? Are there reasons why Sam might not be contributing, even if they aren't obvious?






  3. Compassionate Communication: How could you approach Sam to discuss the project in a way that shows care and understanding, while also ensuring the work gets done?






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Worksheet

My Empathy Lens Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: _____________

Instructions: Reflect on today's lesson and your experiences using the Empathy Lens. Answer the questions thoughtfully.

Part 1: Reflecting on the Empathy Lens

  1. In your own words, what does it mean to have an "Empathy Lens"?






  2. What are the three parts of the Empathy Lens, and why is each part important?

    • Part 1: Identify Emotions

      Why it's important:


    • Part 2: Consider Viewpoints

      Why it's important:


    • Part 3: Compassionate Communication

      Why it's important:


Part 2: Applying Your Empathy Lens

  1. Think about a time recently when you saw someone struggling or upset. How might you have used your Empathy Lens in that situation? (If you didn't use it then, how would you use it now?)











  2. What is one specific way you can try to use your Empathy Lens in your daily life this week (e.g., at home, with friends, at school)?






  3. Why do you think it's important for our classroom and school to be places where students use their Empathy Lens?






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Discussion

Discussion Questions

Instructions: Use these questions to facilitate a whole-class discussion after the small group activity.

  1. What was it like to "step into someone else's shoes" during the scenario activity? Was it easier or harder than you expected?



  2. Were there any surprises when you tried to Identify Emotions or Consider Viewpoints in your scenarios?



  3. Why is Compassionate Communication an important part of empathy? Can you have empathy without communicating it?



  4. Can you think of a time when someone showed empathy towards you? How did it make you feel?



  5. How might practicing empathy change the way we interact with each other in our classroom and school community?



  6. What challenges might you face when trying to use your Empathy Lens in real-life situations?



  7. What is one thing you learned today that you want to remember about empathy?
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