Lesson Plan
Walk in Their Shoes
Students will be able to define perspective-taking and identify different perspectives in given scenarios, enhancing their empathy and communication skills.
Understanding different perspectives is essential for building empathy, resolving conflicts, and fostering a positive classroom and community environment. This lesson helps students develop critical social-emotional skills.
Audience
4th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and scenario-based activity.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Perspective Ponderings Slide Deck, Scenario Cards, and Perspective Play Worksheet
Prep
Review Materials and Set Up
10 minutes
- Review the Perspective Ponderings Slide Deck and talking points.
- Print and cut out the Scenario Cards.
- Print enough copies of the Perspective Play Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for use.
- Review all generated materials as needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Do You See?
5 minutes
- Begin by projecting or drawing a simple image that can be interpreted in two different ways (e.g., a duck/rabbit illusion, an old woman/young woman illusion).
- Ask students: 'What do you see?'. Allow a few students to share.
- Introduce the idea that people can look at the same thing and see something different, which is a bit like having different perspectives.
- Transition to the lesson: 'Today, we're going to explore something called perspective-taking – which means understanding how others might see things differently than we do.' - Materials: Whiteboard or projector, simple optical illusion image.
Step 2
Introducing Perspective-Taking
8 minutes
- Use the Perspective Ponderings Slide Deck to define perspective-taking.
- Explain that perspective-taking is about imagining how someone else feels or thinks in a situation.
- Discuss why it's important: helps us be kind, solve problems, and understand our friends and family better.
- Provide a simple example, like two friends wanting to play different games at recess. - Materials: Perspective Ponderings Slide Deck
Step 3
Scenario Spotlight Activity
12 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (2-3 students).
- Give each group a Scenario Card and a Perspective Play Worksheet.
- Instruct groups to read their scenario and discuss the following questions, writing their answers on the worksheet:
- What happened?
- How might each person in the scenario feel?
- Why might they feel that way?
- What could be a good solution, considering everyone's feelings?
- Circulate to support groups, encouraging thoughtful discussion and different viewpoints. - Materials: Scenario Cards, Perspective Play Worksheet
Step 4
Share & Reflect Cool Down
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask each group to share one interesting perspective or solution from their scenario.
- Conclude by reiterating the importance of trying to understand others' points of view in daily life.
- 'Remember, taking a moment to 'walk in someone else's shoes' can make a big difference!' - Materials: None
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Slide Deck
What is Perspective?
It's how you see and understand the world around you!
- Like looking through your own unique window
- Your feelings, experiences, and thoughts shape your view
Start with a quick reminder of the optical illusion from the warm-up to connect the idea of seeing things differently. Explain that a 'perspective' is like a unique view or way of understanding something, just like how each person sees the world through their own eyes and experiences.
Everyone Has One!
Just like everyone has different eyes, everyone has a different way of seeing things.
- Your experiences
- Your feelings
- Your thoughts
All create your unique point of view!
Emphasize that everyone has a unique perspective because everyone has different experiences and feelings. Give simple examples like favorite colors, foods, or games, to show how people can have different but equally valid views. Relate it to the classroom: "Even in our classroom, we all have different ways of thinking about things. What's fun for one person might not be as fun for another, and that's okay!"
Why is it Important?
Understanding others' perspectives helps us:
- Be kind and empathetic
- Solve problems together
- Communicate better
- Make friends and keep them!
Explain why perspective-taking is a valuable skill. It helps us understand each other better, be kinder, and work together. Use an analogy: "It's like being a detective and trying to figure out 'why' someone might feel or act the way they do."
Let's Try It!
Imagine two friends: Maya and Sam.
- Maya loves quiet reading time.
- Sam loves loud, active playtime.
They both want to choose the class activity for Friday.
How might Maya feel? How might Sam feel? Why?
Provide a concrete example to illustrate perspective-taking. Ask students to think about how each child might be feeling and why. Encourage them to consider more than just the surface-level emotion.
Walk In Their Shoes!
Get ready to put yourselves in someone else's shoes!
- You'll get a scenario with different people.
- Discuss how each person might feel.
- Think about why they feel that way.
- Find a solution that works for everyone!
Explain that the upcoming activity will give them more practice. Encourage them to really think about the characters in their scenarios and what it might be like to 'walk in their shoes.'
Remember...
Taking the time to understand others' points of view makes you a thoughtful friend and a great problem-solver!
Wrap up by reiterating the main message: considering other perspectives makes the world a better place for everyone.
Activity
Scenario Cards
Cut out these cards and give one to each small group. Discuss the questions on your Perspective Play Worksheet for your chosen scenario.
Scenario 1: The Broken Toy
Lily is playing with her favorite toy car, a special gift from her grandpa. While playing, another student, Ben, accidentally trips and steps on the car, breaking its wheel. Ben apologizes immediately, but Lily is very upset and starts to cry.
- How might Lily be feeling? Why?
- How might Ben be feeling? Why?
- If you were a friend watching, what would you do or say to help both Lily and Ben?
Scenario 2: Lunchtime Mix-Up
It's lunchtime, and Sarah is excited because her mom packed her favorite sandwich. She sits down at her usual spot, opens her lunchbox, and discovers her sandwich is gone! Instead, there's a different sandwich she doesn't like. Across the table, Alex looks confused, staring at a sandwich that isn't his.
- How might Sarah be feeling? Why?
- How might Alex be feeling? Why?
- What could Sarah and Alex do to solve this problem, considering how each of them feels?
Scenario 3: The Group Project
For a science project, Mrs. Davis puts students into groups. Mia loves to draw and wants to design the poster. Tom is really good at research and wants to find all the facts. However, both of them want to be the group leader.
- How might Mia be feeling? Why?
- How might Tom be feeling? Why?
- How can Mia and Tom work together to make sure everyone feels important and the project gets done well?
Scenario 4: The Playground Game
During recess, a group of kids is playing a new game. Mark is usually very good at sports, but he's having a hard time understanding the rules of this new game and keeps making mistakes. Some of the other kids are getting frustrated and rolling their eyes.
- How might Mark be feeling? Why?
- How might the frustrated kids be feeling? Why?
- What could someone do to help Mark feel better and understand the game, while also making sure everyone still has fun?
Worksheet
Perspective Play Worksheet
Group Members:
Scenario Card Number:
Read your scenario carefully and discuss the questions with your group. Write down your thoughts below.
Our Scenario Summary:
What happened in the scenario?
Taking Different Perspectives:
Person 1 in the Scenario:
How might this person be feeling?
Why might they feel this way?
Person 2 in the Scenario:
How might this person be feeling?
Why might they feel this way?
Finding a Solution:
What could be a good solution to this problem, considering how everyone involved might be feeling? How can you make sure everyone feels heard and understood?