Think Before You Speak Lesson Plan Think Before You Speak
Mastering the Art of Kind Communication
Time
15 Minutes
Audience
5th Grade Students
Approach
Class discussion & relatable examples.
Why This Lesson?
Learning to think before speaking and acting ensures a respectful and inclusive classroom environment. It helps students develop empathy, social awareness, and communication skills crucial for healthy relationships and a positive community.
Preparation
• Review the Lesson Plan and all linked teacher resources (Script, Discussion Guide).
• Prepare to facilitate a sensitive discussion about empathy and respect.
• Ensure technology is ready to display the Slide Deck .
10 Minutes Prep Time
Materials
Think Before You Speak Slide Deck
Teacher Script: Words with Wings
Discussion Guide: Empathy in Action
What Would You Do? Scenario Cards
Learning Objective
Students will understand the impact of impulsive, hurtful comments and actions on others, recognize why these behaviors are inappropriate and unexpected, and learn strategies for empathetic communication.
Lesson Flow
1
Warm-Up
2 MIN
Begin by asking students to share a time someone's words made them feel good, and a time someone's words made them feel not-so-good (without naming names).
Explain that words have power, and today we'll talk about using that power wisely.
2
Introduction to Impact
5 MIN
Introduce the concept of "words with wings" – how words can fly out and have an impact. Discuss scenarios like making fun of someone for an accident or mimicking speech.
Use the Words with Wings Script to guide this portion. Emphasize that actions, even when meant as humor, can be hurtful and inappropriate.
3
Empathy & Perspective-Taking
5 MIN
Transition to the "What Would You Do?" Scenario Cards . Guide students in discussing empathetic responses. Refer to the Empathy in Action Discussion Guide for deeper prompts.
Encourage students to actively "walk in someone's shoes" and apply the THINK filter to each situation.
4
Cool-Down & Commitment
3 MIN
Conclude by asking students to commit to thinking about the impact of their words. Encourage them to be "word watchers" and "kindness champions."
Reiterate: Our goal is to create a safe and respectful space for everyone.
Think Before You Speak Slide Deck Think Before
You Speak!
Words With Wings: Exploring Impact & Empathy
Teacher Notes: Welcome students and introduce the engaging title. Explain that today's lesson is about the power of our words and how we can use them to build up, not tear down.
Words Have Power
Think about it:
How can we use this power for good?
Teacher Notes: Ask students to reflect on times words made them feel good or not so good. Emphasize that we'll be discussing this in a general way, without naming specific people or incidents.
Oops! A Stinging Comment?
Sometimes, a joke or a comment might feel funny to us.
But what if it lands on someone else like a tiny, unexpected bee sting ?
Inappropriate: Not right for the situation.
Hurtful: Causing pain, even unintentionally.
Unexpected: Surprising and unwelcome.
Teacher Notes: Explain that sometimes, even if we don't mean to, our words can sting. Provide a gentle, relatable analogy. Acknowledgement that humor can miss the mark.
Real Talk: What's NOT Funny?
It's never okay to make fun of:
Medical Conditions & Things People Can't Control
Example: "Ha, look! They peed their pants!"
This is seriously hurtful and inappropriate.
Someone's Speech or Way of Talking
Example: Mimicking someone with a stutter.
This isn't funny; it's mean and disrespectful.
Teacher Notes: Provide clear examples without being overly specific. Reinforce that these types of comments are never okay.
Walk In Their Shoes
Imagine you are the person receiving the comment. How would you feel?
Embarrassed? Sad? Angry? Alone?
Empathy means understanding and sharing the feelings of another. It helps us choose our words wisely.
Teacher Notes: Transition to empathy. Encourage students to think about walking in someone else's shoes. This slide sets up the discussion guide.
Your Inner Thought Filter
T
Is it True?
H
Is it Helpful?
I
Is it Inspiring?
Words with Wings Script Instructional Script
Words with Wings
Lesson Section: Intro & Impact
7 Minutes Total
"Scripted Dialogue"
[Teacher Action]
Discussion Prompt
1. Warm-Up: The Power of Words
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today we're going to talk about something really important: our words. You know, words are pretty amazing. They can do so many things."
"To start, can you think of a time when someone said something that made you feel really good? Maybe they complimented you, or they said something encouraging? You don't have to name names, just think about how it made you feel."
PROMPT:
Pause for a few students to briefly share positive feelings, without going into detail about the specific situation.
"Great! Now, let's flip that. Can you think of a time when someone's words made you feel... not so great? Maybe a little sad, or embarrassed, or even angry? Again, no need to name anyone or go into detail, just remember that feeling."
ACTION:
Allow a brief moment of silent reflection. Look for acknowledging nods.
"See? Our words have power. They can build people up, and they can, sometimes unintentionally, bring people down. Today, we're going to talk about how to use that power wisely, so our words can always be a force for good."
SHOW SLIDE 2: Words Have Power
2. Impact: Wings and Stings
SHOW SLIDE 3: Oops! A Stinging Comment?
"So, as our slide says, words really do have power. They're like little birds with wings, flying out into the world. Once they've flown, you can't really call them back, right? And where they land, they make an impact."
"Now, sometimes, we might say something that we think is funny. We might intend it as a joke, or just be trying to be silly. But what if our 'funny' words land on someone else like a tiny, unexpected bee sting?"
"Think about it: even if you didn't mean to hurt a bee, if you accidentally step on it, it still stings, right? Words can be like that. Even if our intention isn't to hurt, the impact can still be painful."
"When words cause that unexpected sting, they can be a few things: Inappropriate (like wearing a swimsuit to a formal dinner), Hurtful (causing pain/embarrassment), or Unexpected (surprising and unwelcome)."
3. Real Talk: Never Okay
SHOW SLIDE 4: Real Talk: What's NOT Funny?
"Now, let's be super clear about something important. There are some things that are never okay to make fun of. These are situations where comments are always inappropriate, hurtful, and unexpected, no matter how 'funny' someone thinks they are."
Empathy in Action Discussion Guide Facilitation Guide
Empathy in Action
Lesson Section: Interactive Discussion
5 Minutes Total
Facilitator Note: This guide helps bridge the gap between understanding the impact of words and developing empathy . Use these prompts to help students internalize the perspective of others.
1
Exploring Empathy
Slide 5 Prompt:
"Looking at this slide, it asks us to 'Walk in Their Shoes.' What does that phrase mean to you? Why is it important to try and imagine how someone else might be feeling?"
Deepening Prompt:
"Let's think about the examples we just discussed – making fun of someone for a medical condition or mimicking someone with a speech impediment. If you were that person, how do you think you would feel?"
Tip: Use the words on the slide (embarrassed, sad, angry, alone) to help them articulate the emotional impact.
2
Intent vs. Impact
Critical Thinking Prompt:
"Sometimes, humor is tricky. We might think something is funny, but it can cross a line and become hurtful. How can we tell the difference between a joke that's harmless and a comment that might cause that 'bee sting' we talked about?"
Desired Learning Outcome:
Students should recognize that if humor is at someone else's expense (especially something they can't control), it is problematic, regardless of the intention to be "funny."
3
The THINK Filter
THINK
TrueHelpfulInspiringNecessaryKind
Application Prompt:
"Imagine you're about to say something. Before it flies out, you run it through this filter. If you're about to make a comment about someone's appearance or how they talk, what letter would it most likely fail on? Why?"
KEY POINT TO EMPHASIZE:
Identifying which letters a comment fails on (usually 'Helpful', 'Necessary', or 'Kind') helps students see the logic behind why it should remain unsaid.
Move to Scenario Cards Activity
What Would You Do Activity Sheet What Would You Do?
Applying the THINK Filter to Real Life
Name:
Date:
How to Complete
Listen to each scenario. For each one, imagine you are there. Think about feelings, kind responses, and how the THINK filter (True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind) can guide your choices.
1
The Laughter and the Lunch Spill
During lunch, a classmate accidentally trips while carrying their tray, spilling food all over themselves and the floor. Several students immediately point and start laughing loudly, making comments like, "Look at the mess!" or "Clumsy!"
How might the classmate feel? What would a kind response look like?
What is the hardest part about choosing to be kind here?
2
The Mimicked Voice
A new student in your class has a unique way of speaking, perhaps with a strong accent or a slight speech difference. During group work, another student starts openly mocking their speech pattern, exaggerating their words and making others snicker.
How would the new student feel? How can you show respect for their unique voice?
3
The Unpopular Opinion
Your group is working on a class project, and one teammate shares an idea that everyone else thinks is really silly or "dumb." Some classmates start whispering and rolling their eyes, and one says, "That's the worst idea ever!"
How can you offer constructive feedback while still being kind and supportive?
4
The Accidental Break
During art class, a student accidentally bumps into another student's clay sculpture, causing it to break. The student whose sculpture broke looks really upset and starts to cry. Another classmate loudly exclaims, "You ruined it! Now they have to start all over!"
How can you help de-escalate the situation with your words and actions?
5
The Rumor Mill
You overhear a group of friends spreading a rumor about a classmate, saying something untrue and potentially hurtful about them. They encourage you to join in.
What are the benefits of choosing NOT to participate or standing up for the classmate?
Be a Kindness Champion today!
