Lesson Plan
Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes…Without Leaving Yours
Students will be able to explain the concept of perspective taking and list two specific ways considering multiple viewpoints can improve decision-making.
Understanding perspective-taking is crucial for effective communication, conflict resolution, and developing empathy. It helps students navigate complex social dynamics and make more informed decisions by considering the impact on others.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Through interactive discussion and an engaging activity.
Materials
Smartboard or projector, Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Many Lenses Slides, Teacher Dialogue, Optical Illusion Prompt, Point-of-View Switchboard, and Mirror Check Exit Slip
Prep
Preparation Steps
15 minutes
- Review the Lesson Plan and all generated materials, making any necessary adjustments.
* Ensure the projector/Smartboard is set up and tested for displaying the Many Lenses Slides and the Optical Illusion Prompt.
* Familiarize yourself with the Teacher Dialogue to guide discussions effectively.
* Prepare the Point-of-View Switchboard scenario and role cards (to be projected).
Step 1
Warm-Up: Optical Illusion Prompt
5 min
- Display the Optical Illusion Prompt on the screen.
* Ask students: “What do you see first, and why might someone else see something different?”
* Allow for a brief share-out, noting diverse initial perceptions.
Step 2
Vocabulary Boost
5 min
- Introduce and briefly define key concepts: perspective, bias, empathy, open-mindedness.
* Encourage students to share quick examples or initial thoughts on each term.
Step 3
Guided Discussion
12 min
- Lead a discussion using prompts from the Teacher Dialogue:
* “How do our backgrounds affect what we notice or understand about a situation?”
* “Can you recall a time when misunderstandings arose because people had different viewpoints?”
* “What makes it difficult to consider things from another person’s angle?”
* “How can seeking multiple perspectives actually lead to better solutions or decisions?”
* Facilitate active listening and respectful sharing among students.
Step 4
Interactive Activity: Point-of-View Switchboard
18 min
- Explain the Point-of-View Switchboard activity.
* Present a school-related scenario (e.g., conflict over a group project, a school rule debate).
* Project different role cards (e.g., student A, student B, teacher, parent, principal) one at a time.
* Students silently choose a role and jot down what that specific role might be thinking or feeling in the scenario.
* Narrate the contrasts between different roles, emphasizing the diversity of thought and experience.
* Discuss how considering these different roles changes their understanding of the scenario.
Step 5
Cool-Down: Mirror Check Exit Slip
5 min
- Distribute or display the Mirror Check Exit Slip.
* Ask students to respond to the prompt: “Seeing through another’s eyes doesn’t blur your vision—it sharpens it.” Explain what this quote means to them in relation to perspective-taking.
* Collect responses as students leave class.
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Slide Deck
Welcome to Perspective!
Today, we're diving into how we see the world... and how others do too!
Welcome students and introduce the concept of perception. Explain that we'll start with a quick visual warm-up.
What Do YOU See?
Look closely at the image.
- What do you see first?
- Why might someone else see something different?
Display the optical illusion. Give students a moment to observe and then ask the guiding questions. Encourage different interpretations without judgment. Transition to the idea that different people see things differently.
Vocabulary Boost
Let's build our understanding with some key terms:
- Perspective: How you see and understand the world.
- Bias: Leaning towards one way of thinking or feeling.
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of another.
- Open-mindedness: Willingness to consider new ideas.
Why are these important when thinking about how people see things differently?
Introduce the four key vocabulary terms. Briefly define each and ask students for quick, initial thoughts or associations. Emphasize that these words are central to understanding perspective-taking.
Guided Discussion: Different Views
Let's talk about it:
- How do our backgrounds affect what we notice?
- When have misunderstandings come from different viewpoints?
- What’s hard about considering other angles?
- How can multiple views lead to better solutions?
Guide the discussion using the prompts from the lesson plan and script. Encourage students to share personal (but appropriate) anecdotes or observations. Facilitate a respectful environment where all voices are heard.
Activity: Point-of-View Switchboard
Imagine a school scenario. Silently choose a role and think about what that role would be feeling or thinking.
- Scenario: A new school policy is proposed to make the school day 30 minutes longer to add an extra enrichment period. How do different people feel?
Explain the 'Point-of-View Switchboard' activity. Present the scenario clearly. Give students time to mentally choose a role and jot down notes. Project the different roles one by one. Summarize the diverse thoughts, connecting them back to the importance of perspective.
Closing Thought
“Seeing through another’s eyes doesn’t blur your vision—it sharpens it.”
- What does this quote mean to you? How does it connect to what we learned today?
Read the closing quote and ask students to reflect on its meaning. Explain how this reflection will be captured in the exit slip. Reinforce the main objective of the lesson.
Script
Teacher Dialogue: Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes…Without Leaving Yours
Warm-Up (5 min)
“Good morning, everyone! Today we're going to embark on a really interesting journey – one where we learn to see the world from different angles. It’s all about understanding each other better, which is a super valuable skill in school, with friends, and even in your future careers.
Let’s start with a quick warm-up. Take a look at the image projected on the screen. It’s an optical illusion.”
Display Optical Illusion Prompt on screen.
“What do you see first when you look at it? And why do you think someone else might see something completely different? Take a moment to think, then be ready to share.”
“Thank you for sharing your observations! It’s fascinating how the same image can be perceived in so many ways. This little exercise is a perfect gateway into our topic today: perspective-taking.”
Vocabulary Boost (5 min)
“To help us talk about this, let’s quickly define a few important words. These are terms you’ve probably heard before, but we’ll connect them to our discussion today. On the slides, you’ll see our vocabulary words for today.”
Display Vocabulary Slide.
“First up, perspective. Who can give me their understanding of perspective?”
“Exactly! It’s essentially how you see and understand the world, your point of view. Now, sometimes our perspective can be shaped by bias. What comes to mind when you hear the word bias?”
“Great. Bias is a leaning towards one way of thinking or feeling, often without even realizing it. It’s not always a bad thing, but it’s important to be aware of. Next, empathy. What does it mean to have empathy?”
“Spot on. Empathy is about understanding and sharing the feelings of another. It’s trying to put yourself in their shoes. And finally, open-mindedness. What does it mean to be open-minded?”
“Perfect. It’s being willing to consider new ideas or opinions, even if they’re different from your own. As we go through our lesson today, keep these words in mind because they are all connected to how we take on different perspectives.”
Guided Discussion (12 min)
“Now, let’s dive into a discussion. I want you to really think about these questions and share your thoughts. There are no wrong answers, just different perspectives!”
Display Guided Discussion Slide.
“First: How do our backgrounds, our experiences, our culture – all of that – affect what we notice or understand about a situation? Think about something simple, like a story you’ve both read, or a movie you’ve watched, and how different people might react to it.”
“Excellent points. Our personal ‘lenses’ definitely shape what stands out to us. Moving on: Can you recall a time when misunderstandings or even conflicts arose because people had different viewpoints about something? This could be in school, with friends, or even something you’ve observed.”
“Thank you for those examples. It shows how easily different perspectives can lead to friction. So, what makes it so difficult to consider things from another person’s angle? Why is it a challenge sometimes?”
“That’s a very honest observation. It can be hard! But despite the challenges, why do you think seeking multiple perspectives can actually lead to better solutions or decisions? How does it sharpen our thinking?”
“Fantastic insights! You’re already seeing how powerful this skill can be.”
Interactive Activity (18 min)
“Alright, let’s put our perspective-taking skills to the test with an activity I call the ‘Point-of-View Switchboard.’”
Display Activity Slide.
“I’m going to describe a common school scenario. Your task is to silently choose a role – imagine you are that person. Then, in your head or on a scratch piece of paper, jot down what you think that specific role might be thinking or feeling about the scenario. What are their concerns? Their goals? Their emotions?”
“Here’s our scenario: A new school policy is proposed to make the school day 30 minutes longer to add an extra enrichment period.”
Project ‘Student A’ role card.
“Okay, first role: Student A, who has after-school sports practice every day and relies on that extra 30 minutes to get homework done before practice. What might they be thinking or feeling?”
Project ‘Student B’ role card.
“Next, consider Student B, who struggles with a particular subject and sees the enrichment period as a chance to get extra help and improve their grades. What’s their perspective?”
Project ‘Teacher’ role card.
“Now, let’s switch to a Teacher, who is excited about offering new elective options but also concerned about the increased workload and planning required. What’s on their mind?”
Project ‘Parent’ role card.
“Finally, think about a Parent, who works late and relies on the current school dismissal time for childcare arrangements. How might they view this policy change?”
“Wow, look at how many different thoughts and feelings emerge from just one policy change! We had students with very different needs, teachers with concerns about workload but also excitement, and parents with practical challenges. This shows us how complex even seemingly simple changes can be when you consider everyone involved.”
Closing Thought (5 min)
“We’re almost out of time, but before we go, I want to leave you with a powerful quote that sums up what we’ve discussed today: ‘Seeing through another’s eyes doesn’t blur your vision—it sharpens it.’”
Display Closing Thought Slide.
“On your way out, you’ll find an Exit Slip. Please take a moment to write down what this quote means to you, and how it connects to what we learned about perspective-taking today. Your responses will help me see what really resonated with you.”
“Thank you all for your thoughtful participation today. Keep practicing seeing through different lenses!”
Activity
Point-of-View Switchboard
Scenario: A new school policy is proposed to make the school day 30 minutes longer to add an extra enrichment period.
Role Card 1: Student A
- Profile: Has after-school sports practice every day and relies on that extra 30 minutes to get homework done before practice.
- What might Student A be thinking or feeling?
Role Card 2: Student B
- Profile: Struggles with a particular subject and sees the enrichment period as a chance to get extra help and improve their grades.
- What might Student B be thinking or feeling?
Role Card 3: Teacher
- Profile: Is excited about offering new elective options during the enrichment period but is also concerned about the increased workload and planning required.
- What might the Teacher be thinking or feeling?
Role Card 4: Parent
- Profile: Works late and relies on the current school dismissal time for childcare arrangements for their younger children.
- What might the Parent be thinking or feeling?
Warm Up
Optical Illusion Warm-Up
Take a close look at the image below.
Discuss:
-
What do you see first when you look at this image?
-
Why might someone else see something different from you?
Cool Down
Mirror Check Exit Slip
Quote for Reflection:
“Seeing through another’s eyes doesn’t blur your vision—it sharpens it.”
Your Reflection:
What does this quote mean to you in the context of what we discussed about perspective-taking today? How does considering other viewpoints sharpen your understanding of situations, rather than making them unclear?