Walk in My Shoes Lesson Plan Walk in My Shoes
Exploring Empathy & Perspective-Taking
Duration 30 min
Why It Matters
Building empathy helps students understand others’ feelings, fosters positive relationships, and creates a supportive classroom community where everyone feels valued.
Objectives
Define empathy
Identify emotions in stories
Practice perspective-taking
Reflect on empathetic actions
Preparation
Print and cut out Storybook Cards and scenario strips.
Display Emotion Faces Chart clearly.
Place Reflection Journals at each desk.
Set classroom timer.
Materials
Storybook Cards
Empathy Scenarios Worksheet
Emotion Faces Chart
Reflection Journals
Chart Paper & Markers
Lesson Procedure
5 min
Warm-Up: Feelings Check-In
Have students form a circle and name one word describing their current feeling.
Use the Emotion Faces Chart to help students label and point to their emotion.
Emphasize that all feelings are valid and shared respectfully.
10 min
Storybook Discussion
Read aloud a selected story from the Storybook Cards .
Pause at key moments to ask: "How do you think this character feels?"
Students refer to the Emotion Faces Chart to choose and explain their answer.
Discuss why the character might feel that way and what clues (words or pictures) led to that conclusion.
10 min
Role-Play Empathy Scenarios
Divide the class into small groups and distribute strips from the Empathy Scenarios Worksheet .
Groups assign roles and practice acting out their scenario.
During practice, pause to ask: "What could you do or say to show empathy here?"
After each skit, discuss: "How did it feel to be in that character’s shoes?" and highlight empathetic responses.
5 min
Closure and Reflection
In their Reflection Journals , students write or draw one specific way they will show empathy today.
Invite volunteers to share their reflections with the class.
Summarize key empathetic actions on chart paper as a class reminder/pledge.
Walk in My Shoes Slides Walk in My Shoes
An Empathy Lesson for 3rd Graders
30 Minutes Tier 1 Lesson
TEACHER NOTES: Welcome students and introduce today’s lesson on empathy. Explain that we will learn what empathy means, how to recognize feelings in others, and practice stepping into someone else’s shoes.
Lesson Objectives
Define what empathy really means.
Identify emotions in stories.
Practice perspective-taking together.
Reflect on how to show kindness today.
TEACHER NOTES: Read each objective aloud. Ask students if they know what the word “empathy” means. Clarify and check for understanding.
Warm-Up: Feelings Check-In
1 Form a circle.
2 Name your current feeling.
3 Find the face that matches!
Remember: All feelings are valid!
Circle Time
TEACHER NOTES: Explain the Feelings Check-In. Invite each student to name one word that describes how they feel right now. Encourage them to point to the matching face on the chart.
Emotion Faces Chart
😊
Happy
😢
Sad
😠
Angry
😲
Surprised
😨
Scared
😃
Excited
😫
Tired
🤝
Empathy
TEACHER NOTES: Display the Emotion Faces Chart so every student can see it clearly. Briefly review each expression and its label. Ask a few volunteers to model pointing out a face.
STORY TIME
Storybook Discussion
Listen to the story.
Pause: How does the character feel?
Look for clues (words or pictures).
TEACHER NOTES: Read a selected storybook card. Pause at key moments to ask how the character feels and why. Encourage students to point to or name the matching face on the chart.
Role-Play!
1 Split into small groups.
2 Get your scenario strip.
3 Act it out for the class.
The Big Question:
"What could you do or say to show empathy here?"
TEACHER NOTES: Explain the role-play process and distribute scenario strips. Monitor each group, prompt them to consider empathetic responses during practice, and lead a brief discussion after each skit.
Reflection Time
In your Reflection Journal, write or draw one specific action you will take to show empathy today.
Empathy Scenarios Worksheet Empathy Scenarios
Role-Play Activity
Instructions:
Cut out each scenario strip along the dashed lines. In your small group, pick one strip, read it aloud, and act it out. Discuss: “How could we show empathy here?” and come up with at least two empathetic responses.
1
"A new student just moved to your school and is sitting alone at lunch looking sad. One of your friends notices and asks what’s wrong."
2
"During recess, you see a classmate trip on the playground and drop all their toys. They look embarrassed and upset."
3
"A teammate misses an easy pass during a game and feels disappointed. The rest of the team stops playing for a moment."
4
"You hear a friend stuttering while reading aloud in class and they become very quiet and don’t want to continue."
5
"At art time, someone’s drawing accidentally gets smudged. They look like they might cry. What could you do or say?"
6
"Two classmates are arguing because one took the other’s pencil without asking. They both look angry and hurt."
After role-playing all scenarios, share one idea with the class for showing empathy!
Emotion Faces Chart Handout Emotion Faces Chart
How are you feeling today?
"This chart shows common feelings and how people’s faces often look. You can point to the face that matches how you or someone else is feeling."
😊
Happy
Smile, bright eyes, corners of mouth turned up.
😢
Sad
Frown, eyebrows angled up, maybe a tear.
😠
Angry
Eyebrows together, narrow eyes, mouth tight.
😲
Surprised
Wide eyes, mouth open, raised eyebrows.
😨
Scared
Large eyes, eyebrows up/in, mouth trembling.
😃
Excited
Big grin, bright eyes, eyebrows lifted.
😫
Tired
Droopy eyes, mouth down, low energy.
🤔
Thinking
Hand on chin, looking away, focused face.
What is Empathy?
"Empathy is when you understand how someone else is feeling—like you're walking in their shoes!"
Empathy Reflection Journal Worksheet Empathy Journal
Walk in My Shoes
Name:
Date:
1 Think of a time someone showed empathy to you.
What did they do and how did it make you feel?
2 Describe a moment today when you noticed someone else’s feelings.
What did you do or what could you have done to show empathy?
3 Imagine you are sitting alone at lunch and feel sad.
What thoughts might you have? How could a friend help?
4 What is one challenge you face when trying to show empathy?
Write one strategy you can use to practice being more empathetic.
My Empathy Pledge
"I promise to show empathy at school or home today by..."
Draw a picture here!
Empathy Storybook Cards Handout Storybook Cards
Empathy Discussion Prompts
Story Card #1: The Big Test
"Leo studied all week for his spelling test. When the teacher handed the papers back, Leo saw a giant red circle at the top. He slowly folded his paper and stared at his desk. His shoulders were slumped, and he didn't look up when his friends were cheering about their scores."
Pause Point: How does Leo feel?
Discussion: What clues show his feelings?
Story Card #2: The Recess Race
"Maya was the fastest runner in the 3rd grade. Today, she was winning the big race until she tripped over a loose rock. She tumbled onto the grass. She wasn't hurt, but the whole class was watching. Maya's face turned bright red as she scrambled to get back up while everyone else crossed the finish line."
Pause Point: How does Maya feel?
Discussion: Why is her face red?
Story Card #3: The New Neighbors
"Sam's family just moved to a new house. On the first morning, Sam stood at the front door holding his backpack. He watched a group of kids on the sidewalk laughing and talking as they walked to school. Sam gripped his backpack straps tightly and looked at his shoes, taking a deep breath before stepping outside."
Pause Point: How does Sam feel?
Discussion: What is he thinking?
