Empathy Walk Lesson Plan Empathy: Walk In Their Shoes
Lesson Plan • 7th Grade • Social-Emotional Learning
30
Minutes
Why This Matters
Developing kindness and empathy helps students build stronger relationships, foster a more inclusive classroom and community, and better understand diverse perspectives in an increasingly interconnected world.
Learning Objective
Students will be able to define kindness and empathy, identify scenarios where these qualities are important, and practice responding with kindness and empathy towards individuals with different experiences or backgrounds.
Teacher Prep
Review all linked materials (slides, script, and handouts).
Ensure projector or smartboard is ready for the slide deck.
Print one set of handouts per student (Warm Up, Scenarios, Cool Down).
(Optional) Prepare small slips of paper for student responses.
Materials Needed
Smartboard or Projector
Walk In Their Shoes Presentation
Warm Up: Different Shoes Handout
Empathy Scenarios Handout
Empathy in Action Script
Cool Down: One Kind Step Slip
Instructional Steps
5m
Warm Up: Different Shoes, Different Paths
Slide 2
Project the warm-up question: Imagine living a day as someone with a very different experience than you.
Give students 1-2 minutes of quiet reflection using their handout.
Facilitate a brief 2-3 student share-out.
10m
Defining Kindness & Empathy
Slides 3-4
Define Kindness (friendly/generous actions) vs. Empathy (feeling with someone).
Discuss why these traits are vital for inclusive communities.
Use the provided script for talking points.
10m
Let's Discuss: Empathy Scenarios
Slide 5
Distribute the Empathy Scenarios handout.
Work through the three real-life situations as a whole group or in small teams.
Focus on: How do they feel? What is a kind response?
5m
Cool Down: One Kind Step
Slides 6-7
Ask students to reflect: What is one small act of empathy you can practice this week?
Students write their response on the "One Kind Step" slip.
Conclude with a final encouraging thought about unique journeys.
Walk In Their Shoes Presentation Empathy: Walk In Their Shoes
Understanding and appreciating differences through perspective-taking.
Perspective Journey
Warm Up: Different Paths
Think about someone you know who has a very different life experience or perspective than you.
What might it be like to live a day in their shoes?
Teacher Note: Use the reflection script for guided thinking time.
What are Kindness and Empathy?
Kindness
Being friendly, generous, and considerate through your actions towards others.
Empathy
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Feeling with them.
Why are they important?
Build stronger, more trusting relationships
Create a welcoming and inclusive community
Understand diverse perspectives and views
Help others feel valued and truly understood
Let's Discuss: Scenarios
We'll explore real-life situations and think about how kindness and empathy can make a real difference.
Refer to your Scenarios Handout now!
Cool Down: One Kind Step
Reflect on today's lesson.
What is one small act of kindness or empathy you can practice this week for someone who is different from you?
Keep Walking in Their Shoes
Remember, every person has a unique journey.every day.
Thank you for your empathy!
Different Shoes Warm Up Handout Perspective Journey
Different Shoes, Different Paths
Name:
Date:
Warm Up Instructions
Take a moment to think about the following question. You don't need to write a long essay—just capture your thoughts or some key words that come to mind.
The Reflection Question:
"Imagine you could magically spend one day living as someone else you know—someone who has a very different life experience, background, or perspective than you. What might that day be like? What new things might you see, feel, or understand?"
Capture your thoughts here
Think about sensory details: sounds, feelings, sights, and interactions.
Empathy Action Facilitation Script Empathy in Action
Instructional Script & Discussion Guide
Slide 1
Introduction
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to explore a really important topic that helps us connect better with each other: empathy and kindness. Our goal is to understand what it truly means to 'walk in someone else's shoes' and how we can apply that understanding to our daily lives, especially towards those who might seem different from us. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to define kindness and empathy, understand why they're so crucial, and think about how to practice them in real situations."
Slide 2
The Warm-Up
"Let's start with a warm-up activity called Different Shoes, Different Paths . I want you all to close your eyes for a moment, or just look down at your desk. Think about someone you know—it could be a friend, a family member, or even a character from a book or movie—who has a very different life experience or perspective than you. Just for a minute, imagine what it might be like to live a day in their shoes. What new things might you see, feel, or understand? Take about a minute for quiet reflection."
Teacher Action:
Pause for 1 minute. Then ask: "Who would like to share a brief thought about what that experience might be like, or something new you might have realized? There are no right or wrong answers, just reflections." Allow 2-3 shares.
Slides 3-4
Defining Kindness & Empathy
"So, what exactly are these big words, 'kindness' and 'empathy'? Kindness is about being friendly, generous, and considerate. It's the actions we take to show care."
"Empathy is a bit deeper. It's the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It's not just feeling for someone, like sympathy, but trying to feel with them. Why do you think these qualities are so important when we encounter people who are different from us?"
Key Discussion Points:
Building stronger relationships.
Creating welcoming communities.
Broadening our worldview.
Helping others feel valued.
Slide 5
Putting it into Practice
"Now, let's put our understanding into practice. We're going to look at our Empathy Scenarios handout. I'll present a few situations, and I want you to think: How might someone in that situation feel? How could you respond with kindness? The goal is to understand the feelings involved and respond thoughtfully."
Slides 6-7
Closing Thoughts
Empathy Scenarios Handout Group Discussion
Empathy Scenarios
Practicing Perspective-Taking
Name: ________________
Date: ________________
Instructions
Read each scenario carefully. Discuss with your classmates how the person in the scenario might be feeling and what a kind and empathetic response would be.
1 Scenario: The New Student
There's a new student in your class who just moved from a different country. They speak English, but sometimes struggle to understand slang or cultural references. During group work, they seem quiet and hesitant to share their ideas, and some students in your group seem impatient.
How might the new student be feeling?
How could you show kindness and empathy?
2 Scenario: Different Abilities
During PE class, there's a student who uses a wheelchair. Today's activity is a team sport that requires a lot of running. This student looks a bit left out on the sidelines, even though the teacher has tried to adapt some rules.
How might this student be feeling?
What does it mean to be truly inclusive here?
3 Scenario: Different Interests
Your best friend has recently started hanging out with a new group of kids who are really into a niche hobby you don't enjoy. You feel a bit left out and confused about why your friend is spending less time with you.
How might you be feeling?
How could you approach your friend empathetically?
One Kind Step Cool Down Slip One Kind Step
Reflection & Commitment
Student:
Date:
"What is one specific, small act of kindness or empathy you can commit to practicing this week towards someone who is different from you?"
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." — Aesop
