Can You See What I See?

A Lesson on Perspective & Empathy

Duration

45 min

Audience

3rd Grade

Approach

Visual & Reflective

Focus

Social-Emotional

Why it Matters

Understanding different perspectives is a foundational social-emotional skill. It helps students navigate conflicts, build stronger relationships, and become more compassionate members of their classroom and community. By recognizing that others may see things differently, students can develop empathy and communicate more effectively.

Teacher Prep

Estimated Time: 15 minutes

• Review the Diverse Views Presentation.
• Print/prepare images for the Gallery Walk.
• Prepare chart paper or large sticky notes.
• Copy the Perspective Puzzle Exit Ticket.

Materials

Projector/Whiteboard
Diverse Views Slides
Large Sticky Notes
Chart Markers
Gallery Walk Images
Exit Tickets

Instructional Steps

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Introduction: What Do You See?

5 mins

• Begin by asking students: "When you look at something, does everyone see it the exact same way?"

• Introduce the idea of perspective – how different people can see or understand the same thing in their own unique way.

• Briefly explain that today's lesson is about exploring different ways of seeing things, just like in our title, Can You See What I See?

2

Diverse Views Presentation

10 mins

• Present the Diverse Views Presentation.

• Go through the slides, using prompts to spark initial thoughts and discussions about simple visual examples where perspectives might differ.

• Emphasize that there isn't always one "right" way to see something.

3

Picture Interpretation Gallery Walk

15 mins

• Divide students into small groups and explain the Gallery Walk activity.

• Assign each group a different image (or rotate images). Have them discuss what they see and what might be happening.

• Share interpretations with the whole class, highlighting differences in observations and feelings.

4

My View, Your View Talk Time

10 mins

• Facilitate a discussion using chart paper to record key ideas from the Talk Time guide.

• Ask: "How did knowing other people saw something else change your thinking?"

• Connect this to real-life classroom situations to reinforce empathy.

5

Perspective Puzzle Exit Ticket

5 mins

• Distribute the Exit Ticket for independent completion.

• Collect to assess understanding of perspective-taking goals.

Learning Objective

Students will be able to identify and describe different perspectives on a given situation, and explain how understanding these different perspectives can help reduce misunderstandings and foster empathy.

Can You See What I See

Can You See Lesson Plan

Diverse Views Slides

Gallery Walk Activity

Talk Time Discussion Guide

Perspective Puzzle Exit Ticket

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