Walk A Mile In Their Shoes Lesson Plan Walk A Mile In Their Shoes?
Lesson Plan • 5th Grade
30 Minutes
Objective
Students will articulate the feelings of a story character from another perspective with 80% accuracy.
Why It Matters
Understanding different perspectives builds empathy, helps students navigate social situations, and improves their ability to relate to others.
Approach
Read, Analyze, Discuss
Materials Needed
Perspective Lenses Slides
Short Story Handout
Think-Pair-Share Prompts
Walking in Others' Shoes Script
Teacher Preparation
Review the lesson plan and all linked materials: Perspective Lenses Slides, Short Story Handout, Think-Pair-Share Prompts, and Walking in Others' Shoes Script.
Print enough copies of the Short Story Handout and Think-Pair-Share Prompts for each student.
Familiarize yourself with the script to ensure a smooth lesson flow.
Prepare to project the Perspective Lenses Slides.
Instructional Sequence
1
Introduction & Story Read-Aloud
10 MIN
• Begin by projecting Slide 1 and using the script to introduce the concept of perspective.
• Transition to Slide 2 and facilitate a brief discussion using the script.
• Distribute the Short Story Handout to each student.
• Read the story aloud as students follow along. Encourage them to think about how different characters might be feeling.
2
Identify Perspectives & Feelings
5 MIN
• Project Slide 3: Character Feelings & Perspective.
• Guide students to identify main characters and initial feelings based on the story, using the script for prompts.
• Ask students to consider how a character's perspective might change their feelings or actions.
3
Paired Discussion: Think-Pair-Share
10 MIN
• Explain the activity, projecting Slide 4 for instructions.
• Distribute the Think-Pair-Share Prompts.
• Instruct students to independently "Think" about the prompts, focusing on feelings from different character perspectives.
• Have students "Pair" with a partner to discuss and complete the prompts.
• Encourage partners to listen to each other's interpretations and challenge themselves to see beyond their own understanding.
4
Whole-Class Debrief & Conclusion
5 MIN
• Bring the class back together for a "Share" debrief, using Slide 5.
• Facilitate discussion using the script to discuss key takeaways.
• Emphasize the importance of empathy and daily perspective-taking.
• Conclude by reiterating the main objective and the power of understanding others' shoes.
Perspective Lenses Slides Walk A Mile In
Their Shoes?
How can we really understand what someone else is going through?
Perspective & Empathy
What is Perspective?
1
Your point of view
It's how you specifically see the world around you.
2
Understanding
How you process and make sense of information.
3
A Unique Lens
Everyone looks through their own special pair of glasses!
"No two people see the exact same thing in the exact same way."
Characters & Feelings
Who?
Who are the main characters in our story?
Identification
How?
How do they feel at different points in the story?
Analysis
The Big Leap
What would it feel like to be them ?
Think-Pair-Share
1
Think
Quietly reflect on the questions in your prompt sheet.
2
Pair
Discuss your ideas with a partner. Listen to their views!
3
Share
We'll come back together and share our amazing insights.
Empathy In Action
Feeling with someone
What did you learn from walking in different shoes?
How can understanding perspectives help us every day?
Change your lens, change your world!
Short Story Handout Student Name
Date
Reading Passage
The Case of the Missing Lunchbox
It was Monday morning, and Leo was excited. Today was the class field trip to the science museum! He had packed his favorite dinosaur lunchbox with a yummy sandwich, apple slices, and two cookies. He carefully placed it on the kitchen counter, ready for school.
Leo rushed out the door with his backpack, waving goodbye to his mom. He loved field trips! All morning, he pictured the giant dinosaur skeletons and the cool experiments they would see.
When it was time for lunch, Leo opened his backpack. His heart sank. The lunchbox wasn't there! He frantically searched, but it was nowhere to be found. A knot formed in his stomach. He felt tears sting his eyes. He had been so careful! How could he have forgotten it? All his excitement for the field trip disappeared.
Across town, Leo's younger sister, Maya, was at daycare. She loved playing with her toy cars, but today she felt a little sad. Her own bright pink lunchbox had accidentally been left at home. She usually had a fun drawing inside from her mom, but not today.
Just then, the daycare teacher, Ms. Lily, came over. "Look what I found, Maya!" she said, holding up a dinosaur lunchbox. "Someone left this on their kitchen counter by mistake. It has a delicious-looking sandwich and two cookies inside. You can have it today!"
Maya's eyes lit up. A dinosaur lunchbox! And cookies! She loved dinosaurs, and she really loved cookies. Her sadness floated away, replaced by pure joy. This was the best Monday ever! She munched happily on the sandwich, feeling so lucky.
Think Pair Share Prompts Walking in Others' Shoes
Student Explorer
Date
Activity Think-Pair-Share
1. Think
Quietly reflect on the questions by yourself.
2. Pair
Discuss your answers with a partner.
3. Share
Join the class to share your insights.
L
Character: Leo
1. How was Leo feeling at the beginning of the school day? Why?
2. Describe Leo's feelings when he realized his lunchbox was gone. What thoughts might he have had?
3. If you were Leo, what would you want someone to say or do to help you feel better?
M
Character: Maya
1. How was Maya feeling at daycare when she realized her lunchbox was missing? Why?
2. Describe Maya's feelings when she received the dinosaur lunchbox. What made her joyful?
3. If you were Maya and found out the lunchbox belonged to Leo, how might your feelings change?
Connecting Perspectives
1. How are Leo and Maya's experiences connected, even though they are in different places?
2. What does this story teach us about understanding how others feel in similar or different situations?
Walking in Others' Shoes Script Teacher Support Material
Walking in Others' Shoes Script
A facilitator's guide to the 30-minute empathy session.
30 Mins
Part 1: Introduction & Read-Aloud
10 Minutes
Action
Display Slide 1: Walk A Mile In Their Shoes?
Speak
"Good morning, everyone! Take a look at our big question for today: 'Walk A Mile In Their Shoes?' What do you think that means?" (Pause for student responses). "That's right, it's about trying to imagine what it's like to be someone else, to truly understand their experience. Why do you think that might be important?" (Allow a few student responses).
Action
Display Slide 2: What is Perspective?
Speak
"Today, we're going to talk about something called perspective. As you can see on the slide, your perspective is your point of view, how you see and understand something. Think of it like looking through a unique lens! Everyone has their own lens, shaped by their experiences, feelings, and what they know. Can anyone give me an example of how two people might have different perspectives on the same thing?"
Action
Hand out the Short Story Handout and read aloud.
Part 2: Identify Perspectives
5 Minutes
Action
Display Slide 3: Character Feelings & Perspective
Speak
"Alright, now that we've read 'The Case of the Missing Lunchbox,' let's think about our characters, Leo and Maya. Who are the main characters? (Wait for: Leo and Maya). Excellent!"
"Now, let's focus on Leo. Before he lost his lunchbox, how do you think he was feeling? (Wait for responses: excited, happy). And then, when he realized his lunchbox was gone, how did his feelings change?"
"What about Maya? How was she feeling at first? And how did her feelings change when she got the dinosaur lunchbox? Notice how Leo and Maya experienced very different feelings, even though Leo's forgotten lunchbox was part of both of their stories."
Part 3: Think-Pair-Share
10 Minutes
Action
Hand out the Think-Pair-Share Prompts.
Speak
"Now it's time to dive deeper into our characters' perspectives! First, you'll Think quietly by yourself. Spend about 3-4 minutes writing down some notes."
"Okay, now it's time to Pair up! Turn to a partner. Listen carefully to each other's ideas. You have about 5-6 minutes."
Part 4: Debrief & Conclusion
5 Minutes
Action
Display Slide 5: Reflection & Empathy
Speak
"Bring your attention back. Now, it's time to Share! What was something new you realized from 'walking in different shoes' today?"