The Power of Empathy

Kelly Sexton

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Students will learn to identify, express, and manage their emotions in healthy ways, building emotional literacy and self-awareness.

Developing emotional intelligence is key to personal growth and social success, ensuring students can navigate challenges both inside and outside the classroom.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussions and activities in a full-class setting.

Materials

Lesson Plan

Prep

Review Materials & Setup

5 minutes

Review the lesson plan for structure and flow using Lesson Plan.
Familiarize yourself with key discussion prompts and emotion-identification activities.
Organize any digital or printed resources you plan to use during the lesson.

Step 1

Warm-Up and Emotion Check-In

5 minutes

Begin with a brief discussion on what emotions are and why they matter.
Ask students to name a few emotions they’ve experienced lately and how these made them feel.
Use questioning techniques to encourage participation.

Step 2

Main Activity: Emotion Identification & Expression

15 minutes

Present a series of emotion cards (or verbal prompts) and ask students to identify and name the emotion.
Engage the class in a group discussion on healthy ways to express these emotions.
Have students share personal strategies for managing strong feelings, fostering peer learning.

Step 3

Cool-Down and Reflection

5 minutes

Guide students through a brief mindfulness or deep-breathing exercise to calm the mind.
Encourage a closing discussion where students reflect on what they learned about themselves and empathy.
Summarize key takeaways on the importance of understanding and expressing emotions.

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Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan: The Power of Empathy

Students will learn to identify, express, and manage emotions while practicing empathy by engaging in discussion and reflective activities.

Fostering empathy is vital for understanding others' feelings and building a compassionate, supportive classroom environment, enhancing emotional intelligence.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and hands-on activities.

Materials

Lesson Plan: The Power of Empathy

Prep

Preparation and Review

5 minutes

Review the lesson plan and get familiar with the discussion points and emotion-identification activities.
Organize digital or printed emotion cards or prompts to use during activities.
Prepare for guiding reflections and mindfulness exercises.

Step 1

Warm-Up and Emotion Check-In

5 minutes

Start with a brief discussion on the importance of emotions and empathy.
Invite students to share recent emotions they've felt and what triggered them.
Use prompting questions to engage all students.

Step 2

Main Activity: Emotion Identification & Empathy Building

15 minutes

Present emotion cards or verbal prompts for students to identify and name various emotions.
Facilitate a group discussion on how understanding emotions can help build empathy towards others.
Encourage students to share personal strategies for managing feelings and showing support to peers.

Step 3

Cool-Down and Reflection

5 minutes

Lead a brief mindfulness or deep-breathing exercise to help students calm their minds.
Wrap up with a reflection discussion, asking students about the importance of empathy in daily life.
Summarize the key takeaways from the session.

Slide Deck

The Power of Empathy

Welcome 7th Graders!

Today, we'll explore emotions and learn how to better connect with others through empathy.

This is the title slide that introduces the session and the importance of empathy. Highlight that today we'll explore emotions and learn how empathy plays a role in understanding others.

Warm-Up & Emotion Check-In

• Discuss what emotions are and why they matter.
• Share recent emotions and what triggered them.
• Think: How do our feelings affect our actions?

Use this slide to start a warm-up discussion on emotions and set the stage for empathy. Encourage students to share feelings they've experienced, and ask guiding questions.

Main Activity: Identify Emotions

• Look at different emotion cards or listen to verbal prompts.
• Identify and name each emotion.
• Discuss how understanding these emotions builds empathy toward others.
• Share strategies for managing and expressing feelings.

On this slide, introduce the main activity. Present emotion cards or prompts and invite students to identify the emotions, then discuss how recognizing these emotions can help build empathy.

Cool-Down & Reflection

• Participate in a brief mindfulness or deep-breathing exercise.
• Reflect on today's lesson: What did you learn about empathy?
• Discuss why empathy is important in everyday life.

Guide the class through a mindfulness exercise for cool-down and reflection. Recap the importance of empathy and ask students to share what they learned about emotions and connecting with others.

Activity

Empathy Building Activity

In this activity, you'll get a chance to practice empathy through role-playing in pairs or small groups. This exercise will help you apply what you've learned about recognizing and understanding emotions, as well as responding with care and support.

Activity Instructions

Pair Up or Form Small Groups:
- Work with a partner or small group (3-4 students per group).
Role-Play Scenarios:
- Each group will receive a scenario card. The scenarios involve different situations where someone might be feeling a strong emotion (for example, feeling left out, frustrated, or excited).
- Discuss the scenario within your group. Decide on different roles such as the person experiencing the emotion and the friend who responds with empathy.
Enact the Scenario:
- Perform the role-play for your group. Focus on using empathetic language: listen actively, acknowledge feelings, and offer support.
- Try phrases like "I understand that you feel..." or "It sounds like you’re really upset because..."
Group Reflection:
- After the role-play, discuss as a group:
  - What did you notice about how it felt to share your emotions?
  - How did the empathetic responses help you feel understood and supported?
  - What might you do differently next time in a real situation?
Class Discussion:
- Each group will have the opportunity to share their experiences and insights with the class. Reflect on how empathy can help build stronger friendships and a more supportive classroom community.

Follow-Up Points

Personal Reflection: Write briefly about a time when someone showed you empathy. How did it make you feel? What did you learn from that experience?
Classroom Tools: List some empathetic phrases you can use the next time a friend is feeling down.
Action Plan: Think about one way you can show empathy this week in your daily interactions. Share your plan with a partner or write it down for personal reference.

Remember, empathy is all about understanding and connecting with others. Enjoy this activity and think about how these skills can help build a caring community in our classroom!