Empathy Explorers Lesson Plan Empathy Explorers
Lesson Plan • Grade 3 SEL
45 Minutes
Tier 1 Classroom
Objective
Students will understand the concept of empathy and practice identifying feelings and providing compassionate responses in various social situations.
The "Why"
This lesson engages students in understanding others' feelings through interactive storytelling and role-playing. It helps students develop social-emotional skills, fostering a more compassionate and understanding classroom environment.
Materials
Empathy Explorers Slides
Discussion Guide
Role-Play Scenario Cards
Empathy Detective Worksheet
Lesson Sequence
1
Introduction (5 mins)
Begin with a brief discussion on what empathy means (stepping into someone else's shoes).
Ask students if they can share a time when they felt understood by someone else.
2
Storytelling (10 mins)
Use the Empathy Explorers Slides to tell a story highlighting empathy.
Pause at key moments to ask students how they think the characters are feeling.
3
Discussion (10 mins)
Use the Discussion Guide to facilitate a conversation about the story.
Encourage students to share their thoughts on how the characters showed empathy.
4
Role-Playing (15 mins)
Divide students into small groups and distribute Role-Play Scenario Cards.
Have each group act out their scenario, focusing on empathetic responses.
After each role-play, discuss as a class what empathetic actions were observed.
5
Closure (5 mins)
Recap the importance of empathy in everyday interactions.
Ask students to share one way they can show empathy to someone today.
Empathy Discussion Guide Empathy Discussion Guide
Teacher Resource • Story Reflection & Dialogue
1 What emotions did the characters in the story experience?
Encourage students to identify specific emotions (sadness, excitement, fear, frustration) and relate them to personal experiences.
Teacher Tip: If students struggle with emotion words, use an "Emotion Wheel" or point back to specific character expressions in the slides.
2 How did the characters show empathy towards each other?
Discuss specific actions or words that demonstrated empathy. Look for listening, helpful gestures, or kind words.
Teacher Tip: Focus on non-verbal cues too—did a character sit next to a friend who was lonely?
3 Why is it important to understand how others feel?
Highlight the benefits of empathy in building relationships, resolving conflicts, and creating a safe classroom environment.
Teacher Tip: Connect this back to the "Golden Rule" or "Classroom Community" goals.
Goal: Foster a compassionate dialogue about social interactions.
Empathy Scenario Cards Scenario 1
A friend is sad because they lost their favorite toy.
How can you show empathy?
Scenario 2
A classmate is nervous about speaking in front of the class.
How can you show empathy?
Scenario 3
Someone is upset because they didn't get invited to a party.
How can you show empathy?
Scenario 4
A peer is frustrated because they can't solve a math problem.
How can you show empathy?
Empathy Detective Worksheet Empathy Detective
Investigating Feelings & Showing Kindness
Name:
Date:
1. The Heart Map
Think about a time you felt a strong emotion. Draw a face in the heart that shows how you felt, then write about what happened.
Draw your feeling face here
I felt...
Because...
2. Showing You Care
Empathy is like a superpower. Read the situation and write one thing you could **say** and one thing you could **do** to help.
"A friend is crying because they weren't picked for the team."
I could say...
I could do...
The Empathy Explorer Pledge
"I promise to look at the world through other people's eyes, listen with my heart, and use my words to lift others up."
Signed:
Empathy Explorers Slides 3rd Grade SEL Journey
EMPATHY EXPLORERS
Discovering the power of understanding others' hearts.
Start the Mission
What is Empathy?
"Seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another."
Understanding how someone feels.
Stepping into their "shoes."
Caring about what happens to them.
Explorer Story
Scenario: The Playground Picnic
Leo was sitting all alone on the bench during recess. He had dropped his sandwich in the mud, and he didn't have any more lunch. He was looking down at his feet and biting his lip.
Discussion: How is Leo feeling? What clues do you see?
Empathy in Action
Maya saw Leo from the swings. She remembered a time she lost her lunch money and felt hungry and embarrassed. She walked over and said, "Hey Leo, that really stinks. I have an extra apple and half my bagel if you want to share?"
Leo looked up and smiled. He didn't feel so alone anymore.
Discussion: How did Maya show empathy?
Your Mission: Role Play
It's time to practice! In your groups, you will get a scenario card. Use your "Empathy Explorer" skills to show how you would help.
1
Read
2
Act
3
Discuss
Mission Accomplished
Before you go, share one thing:
"One way I can show empathy to someone today is..."