Perspective-Taking Discussion

This 15-minute activity is designed for a small group of 5 students. Instead of role-playing, students will engage in a focused discussion on perspective-taking, sharing personal experiences and insights to deepen their understanding of different viewpoints.

Objectives

• Enhance empathy by sharing personal perspectives
• Foster respectful, meaningful conversation
• Encourage students to reflect on how individual experiences shape viewpoints

Discussion Guidelines and Timeline

1. Setting the Stage (3 minutes):

   • Gather the 5 students in an intimate group setting.
   • Introduce the concept of perspective-taking, emphasizing that every individual’s experiences can bring a unique viewpoint to a discussion.

2. Guided Discussion (9 minutes):

   • Pose a series of open-ended questions to guide the conversation. Suggested questions include:
     • "Can you share a time when you felt misunderstood? How did that experience change your perspective on others?"
     • "Describe an instance where listening to someone else's experience changed your mind or helped you see things differently."
     • "What challenges do you face when trying to understand opinions that are different from your own, and how can you overcome them?"
   • Encourage all students to participate, ensuring each perspective is heard. Use these guiding questions to help prompt deeper reflections and meaningful dialogue.
   • The teacher can help moderate, ensuring the conversation stays respectful and all voices are acknowledged.

3. Wrap-Up and Reflection (3 minutes):

   • Conclude the session by asking each student to summarize one key insight they gained from the discussion.
   • Highlight the value of understanding diverse perspectives and how this can be applied in everyday interactions.

Closing Thoughts

This discussion activity shifts the focus from acting out scenarios to reflecting and talking about personal experiences. It is aimed at creating a safe space for students to share and listen, deepening their empathy and understanding of diverse viewpoints.

For further resources and guidance, please refer to the Walk in Their Shoes Lesson Plan and Walk in Their Shoes Slides.

Enjoy the exploration of different perspectives and encourage one another to keep an open mind!

Perspective-Taking Worksheet

This worksheet is designed to guide your reflections on the discussion activity about different perspectives. Please answer the questions below thoughtfully and write down any additional insights you have.

1. Personal Experience Reflection

Think about a time when you felt misunderstood or when someone's perspective was different from your own.

• What happened?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• How did that experience make you feel?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• What did you learn about yourself or others from this experience?
  
  
  
  
  
  

2. Understanding Others

Consider a moment when listening to someone else's experience changed your viewpoint.

• Describe that experience.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• What was your perspective before and after the conversation?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• How can understanding different perspectives help in resolving conflicts?
  
  
  
  
  
  

3. Overcoming Challenges

We all have challenges when trying to understand opinions different from our own.

• What challenges do you face when encountering a radically different perspective?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• What strategies can you use to overcome these challenges?
  
  
  
  
  
  

4. Moving Forward

• How can you apply what you've learned from today's discussion in your daily interactions at school and at home?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Remember to be honest and thoughtful in your responses. Your insights can help build more understanding and empathy in our community.

Additional Notes: Feel free to use extra paper if needed.

For further resources, refer to the Walk in Their Shoes Lesson Plan and Walk in Their Shoes Slides.