Empathy Lens Lesson Plan The Empathy Lens
Lesson Plan | Tier 1 Classroom Instruction
6th-8th Grade 45 Minutes
Why This Matters
"Understanding different perspectives is crucial for building a compassionate community, resolving conflicts, and navigating diverse social situations. This lesson equips students with vital life skills."
Objective
Students will develop and practice empathy by stepping into others' shoes, enhancing perspective-taking, improving communication, and fostering inclusivity.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector
Slide Deck: The Empathy Lens
Activity: Perspective Puzzles
Student Journal: Empathy Journal
Warm-Up & Cool Down Tickets
Preparation (15 mins)
• Review The Empathy Lens Slide Deck and teacher notes.
• Print or prepare to display Perspective Puzzles Activity .
• Print copies of the Empathy Journal for each student.
• Arrange seating for small group discussions if desired.
Step-by-Step Instructions
5 min
Introduction: What is Empathy?
Begin with the Empathy Warm-Up to gauge initial understanding. Introduce the lesson using the Slide Deck (Slides 1-2). Ask: "What does it mean to 'step into someone else's shoes'?"
15 min
Exploring Perspectives
Present scenarios from the Slide Deck (Slides 3-5). Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to consider different viewpoints. Transition into Perspective Puzzles in small groups.
15 min
Perspective Puzzles Activity
Groups complete the Perspective Puzzles . Circulate to provide guidance and prompt deeper thinking. Conduct a brief whole-class debrief on insights gained.
10 min
Reflecting on Empathy
Introduce the Empathy Journal using Slide 6. Students complete the first reflection prompt. Conclude with the Empathy Cool Down , sharing one new thing learned.
Empathy Lens Slide Deck The Empathy Lens
Understanding Different Perspectives
SEL Series
Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce the idea of looking at situations through different lenses, specifically the 'empathy lens'. Ask: 'What does it mean to step into someone else's shoes?'
What is Empathy?
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Putting yourself in someone else's "shoes"
Trying to see things from their point of view
Understanding their emotions and thoughts
1 Scenario: The Lost Homework
"Imagine your classmate, Alex, usually gets good grades. Today, they seem really upset. You overhear them telling a friend their dog chewed up their completed homework."
Question 1
What might Alex be feeling?
Question 2
How would you feel if it happened to you?
2 Scenario: The Group Project
"One team member, Maya, hasn't contributed much. You're feeling frustrated. Later, you learn Maya has been taking care of her sick sibling."
The Shift
How might your perspective of Maya change?
Self-Check
How does this new info make you feel?
3 Scenario: Lunchroom Mix-Up
"A student accidentally bumps into another, spilling their drink. The student who spilled apologizes quickly, but the other student looks angry."
What might both students be thinking or feeling in this moment?
Reflecting on Empathy
Reaction
Understand our own internal reactions.
Connection
Connect deeply with others' experiences.
Growth
Grow your emotional intelligence (EQ).
"Just like a muscle, empathy grows stronger with practice."
Perspective Puzzles Activity Perspective Puzzles
Stepping into Others' Shoes
Name:
Date:
Instructions
Read each scenario with your group. Discuss the questions that follow, thinking carefully about each person's perspective. Be ready to share your insights with the class.
1
Scenario: The New Game
"Maria is super excited because she finally saved enough money to buy the new video game everyone is talking about. She rushes home, eager to play. When she gets there, her older brother, Leo, is already playing it. He says, 'I saw it on your desk and wanted to try it out. I'm almost at the second level!'"
1. How might Maria be feeling? Why?
2. How might Leo be feeling? Why?
3. If you were Maria, what would you want to say to Leo? What would be the most empathetic way to express your feelings?
4. If you were Leo, what might you do or say after realizing Maria's feelings?
Perspective Puzzles (Continued)
2
Scenario: The Lunch Table
"During lunch, a new student, Sam, sits alone at a table. Across the cafeteria, a group of friends, including Chloe, are laughing and sharing stories. Chloe notices Sam looking a bit down and unsure."
1. How might Sam be feeling? What might be going through their mind?
2. How might Chloe and her friends be feeling? Are they intentionally excluding Sam?
3. If you were Chloe, what could you do to show empathy towards Sam?
4. What might prevent Chloe or her friends from approaching Sam?
"Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another."
Empathy Journal Activity My Empathy Journal
Reflecting on connection and understanding
Student:
Class:
"Use this journal to reflect on your thoughts and feelings about empathy and understanding different perspectives. Take your time to think deeply about each prompt."
1
Reflecting on Today
Think about one of the scenarios we discussed today. Choose a scenario and write about how thinking from another person's perspective changed your initial reaction. What new insights did you gain?
2
An Empathetic Moment
Describe a time when someone showed empathy towards you. How did it feel? What did they do or say that made you feel understood?
3
Practicing Empathy
Think about a situation at school or home where you could try to practice using your "empathy lens" this week. Describe the situation and what specific steps you would take.
Empathy Warm Up Ticket Empathy Check-In
Warm-Up
Instructions: Take a moment to think about the following question and write down your thoughts. We will discuss this as a class.
What does it mean to "understand" someone? How is that different from "agreeing" with them?
Name:
Empathy Cool Down Ticket Empathy Exit Ticket
Cool Down
Instructions: Before you leave, please answer the following question in a few sentences.
Name one new thing you learned or one new strategy you will try this week to practice your "empathy lens". How do you think this will impact your interactions with others?
Name:
