Lesson Plan
Stepping Into Perspectives Lesson Plan
Students will practice perspective taking through interactive role-plays and group reflection, demonstrating empathy by articulating others’ feelings and viewpoints.
Building empathy and social awareness helps students relate to classmates’ experiences, fostering a kinder classroom community and stronger peer relationships.
Audience
4th Grade Class
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Role-play and guided discussion
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review Empathy Role-Play Slides to familiarize yourself with scenarios and prompts.
- Print and cut scenario cards from Perspective Swap Role-Play.
- Set up seating in a circle for the discussion portion.
- Print copies of the Empathy Exit Ticket for each student.
Step 1
Warm-Up
10 minutes
- Introduce the concept of perspective taking and empathy.
- Ask students: “What does empathy mean? How do we show it?”
- Display slide 1–3 of the Empathy Role-Play Slides with definitions and examples.
- In pairs, have students share a time someone misunderstood them and how it felt.
Step 2
Main Activity
20 minutes
- Explain that students will act out scenarios and then swap roles to ‘walk in each other’s shoes.’
- Divide students into pairs and provide each pair with two scenario cards from Perspective Swap Role-Play.
- Partner A reads and acts out the first scenario while Partner B observes and takes notes on feelings expressed.
- After 5 minutes, partners switch roles and draw a new card.
- Circulate to support role-plays and encourage expressive dialogue.
Step 3
Discussion
10 minutes
- Gather students in a circle for the Reflective Circle Share.
- Use prompts from Reflective Circle Share:
- “How did it feel to act out someone else’s situation?”
- “What did you notice about expressing feelings?”
- “How can this help us understand friends who feel differently?”
- Encourage at least 3–4 volunteers to share insights.
Step 4
Cool-Down
5 minutes
- Distribute the Empathy Exit Ticket to each student.
- Ask students to write one new insight about perspective taking and one question they still have.
- Collect tickets to inform future social-emotional check-ins.
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Slide Deck
Empathy Role-Play
What is empathy? How can we practice “walking in someone else’s shoes?”
Welcome students and introduce the session. Emphasize that today we’ll explore empathy by stepping into others’ situations.
Learning Objectives
• Define empathy and perspective taking
• Practice role-playing to express others’ feelings
• Reflect on how empathy helps our classroom community
Read the objectives aloud and point out why each matters. Ask students to keep these in mind throughout the lesson.
Understanding Empathy & Perspective Taking
Empathy: The ability to notice and share another person’s feelings.
Perspective Taking: Imagining a situation from someone else’s point of view.
Explain each term clearly. Invite student volunteers to share their own definitions.
Example Scenario
“Jamie just moved to a new school. On their first day, they sat alone at lunch and felt nervous.”
• How might Jamie feel?
• What could you say or do to help Jamie feel welcome?
Use gestures and voice tone to model the scenario. Then ask students what feelings they heard.
Role-Play Activity Instructions
- Pair up and take two scenario cards from
Perspective Swap Role-Play. - Partner A acts out the first card while Partner B notes feelings.
- After 5 minutes, switch roles and draw a new card.
- Use expressive voices and body language to show emotions.
Go step-by-step and check for understanding. Refer to printed scenario cards from the activity.
Reflection Questions
• How did it feel to act out someone else’s experience?
• What new feelings or ideas did you notice?
• How can you use perspective taking to be a better friend?
Encourage students to speak in full sentences. Prompt quieter students gently.
Activity
Perspective Swap Role-Play Scenario Cards
Use these cards in pairs. Partner A reads and acts out the scenario; Partner B observes and notes feelings. Then swap roles and draw a new card.
Scenario Cards
- Scenario: Jamie just moved to a new school and sat alone at lunch feeling nervous and shy.
- Prompt: Act out Jamie’s body language and what they might say when a new classmate sits nearby.
- Reflection: How might you feel if you were Jamie? What could you say to help Jamie feel welcome?
- Scenario: Alex is being teased on the playground about their clothes.
- Prompt: Show how Alex reacts and what thoughts run through their head.
- Reflection: How does teasing feel? How could a friend stand up for Alex?
- Scenario: Sam’s favorite pet ran away last night.
- Prompt: Express Sam’s emotions when they realize their pet is gone and share with a friend.
- Reflection: What words or actions could help Sam feel supported?
- Scenario: Riley forgot their lines during the school play and feels embarrassed.
- Prompt: Portray Riley’s reaction on stage and what they might whisper to themselves.
- Reflection: How would you comfort Riley if you were a classmate or teacher?
- Scenario: Jordan didn’t get invited to a classmate’s birthday party and feels sad.
- Prompt: Act out Jordan telling another friend about how they found out.
- Reflection: What could a friend say or do to help Jordan feel included?
- Scenario: Morgan is nervous about reading aloud in front of the class.
- Prompt: Show Morgan’s anxiety and what they might say before starting.
- Reflection: How can classmates help Morgan feel more confident?
- Scenario: Taylor received a lower grade than expected on a math test.
- Prompt: Portray Taylor talking with the teacher about their grade.
- Reflection: What questions could Taylor ask? How might a teacher respond kindly?
- Scenario: Casey has an exciting science invention to share and is bursting to present it.
- Prompt: Act out Casey’s excitement and how they introduce the invention to friends.
- Reflection: How do you show positive support when someone shares good news?
Mix and match these cards so each pair experiences different perspectives. Encourage expressive voices, facial expressions, and follow-up reflection.
Discussion
Reflective Circle Share
Purpose: Create a safe space for students to reflect on their role-plays, practice listening, and learn from each other’s experiences.
Discussion Guidelines
- Listen Respectfully: Give your full attention when someone is speaking.
- Speak Using “I” Statements: Share your own thoughts and feelings (e.g., “I felt…”).
- One Speaker at a Time: Wait for your turn and don’t interrupt.
- Show Empathy: Respond with kindness and understanding.
Discussion Questions
- How did it feel to act out someone else’s situation?
- Follow-Up: Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
- Follow-Up: What did your partner do to make you feel understood?
- What did you notice about expressing feelings through role-play?
- Follow-Up: Was it easier or harder than talking about real experiences?
- Follow-Up: Which gestures or words felt most genuine?
- How can perspective taking help us support friends who feel differently?
- Follow-Up: Think of a time a friend was upset—what could you do now?
- Follow-Up: How might empathy change the way we act at recess or in class?
Closing Reflection
- Thank everyone for sharing.
- Invite one final thought: “What is one thing you’ll try this week to show empathy?”
- Remind students to complete the Empathy Exit Ticket.
Cool Down
Empathy Exit Ticket
Name: _____________________ Date: ____________
- One new insight I had about perspective taking and empathy:
- One question I still have about understanding others’ feelings: