Walking in Their Shoes Lesson Plan Walking in Their Shoes
Building Empathy for Students with Behavioral Needs
Tier 1 Workshop
Duration
90 Minutes
Audience
Teachers & Staff
Approach
Hands-on & Reflective
Objective
Equip teachers with practical empathy-building strategies for students with behavioral needs through interactive scenarios, role-play, and reflection activities.
Why This Matters
Fostering empathy helps teachers understand student behavior triggers, build supportive relationships, and create a positive classroom climate that reduces conflicts and promotes learning.
Preparation & Materials
Print and cut Empathy Scenario Cards
Print copies of Role-Play Guidelines
Print copies of Reflection Journaling Template
Gather chart paper and markers
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Workshop Agenda
10 Minutes
Introduction and Warm-Up
Welcome participants and review session objectives.
Icebreaker: Each teacher shares a challenging student behavior they’ve encountered.Record behaviors on chart paper to highlight common themes.
Emphasize the value of empathy in understanding behavior.
25 Minutes
Scenario Analysis
Divide teachers into small groups of 3–4.
Distribute Empathy Scenario Cards .
Each group draws a card, reads it aloud, and identifies student emotions and triggers.
Discuss possible empathetic responses and strategies.
Record key insights on chart paper for group sharing.
30 Minutes
Role-Play Empathy Strategies
Provide each pair with Role-Play Guidelines .
In pairs, teachers take turns playing the teacher and student roles based on scenarios.
Observers note effective empathetic techniques and offer feedback.
Rotate roles and scenarios to practice multiple strategies.
15 Minutes
Personal Reflection and Application
Distribute Reflection Journaling Template .
Individually, teachers reflect on a real student they teach: identify triggers and supportive strategies.
Prompt: "Describe one empathetic approach you will implement this week and expected outcomes."
10 Minutes
Group Debrief and Action Planning
Invite volunteers to share their reflections and planned strategies.
Develop a collective action plan for integrating empathy-building practices.
Record commitments on chart paper and set follow-up check-in dates.
Walking in Their Shoes Slides Walking in Their Shoes
Building Empathy for Students with Behavioral Needs
90-Minute Tier 1 Workshop for Teachers
TEACHER NOTES: Welcome participants and introduce the workshop. Explain the purpose: building empathy in students with behavioral needs. Set a supportive tone and encourage open participation.
Workshop Objectives
Understand behavioral triggers and emotions in students
Practice empathy-building strategies through interactive scenarios and role-play
Develop a personalized empathy action plan for your classroom
TEACHER NOTES: Read each objective aloud and explain its relevance. Encourage participants to refer to these goals throughout the session.
Workshop Agenda
1. Introduction & Warm-Up 10 min
2. Scenario Analysis 25 min
3. Role-Play Empathy Strategies 30 min
4. Personal Reflection & Application 15 min
5. Group Debrief & Action Planning 10 min
TEACHER NOTES: Walk through the agenda, highlighting the interactive nature of each segment. Keep participants aware of time and transitions.
Warm-Up: Icebreaker
Think of a challenging student behavior you've encountered recently.
Share with the group
Record on chart paper
Identify common themes
Why start here?
It sets the stage for empathy by acknowledging the reality of our shared classroom experiences.
TEACHER NOTES: Ask participants to share a challenging student behavior they’ve encountered. Record responses on chart paper, highlight common themes, and connect to the importance of empathy.
Scenario Analysis
1
Divide into groups of 3–4
2
Use the Empathy Scenario Cards
3
Identify student emotions & triggers
4
Brainstorm empathetic teacher responses
5
Record key insights on chart paper
TEACHER NOTES: Divide participants into small groups, distribute scenario cards, and prompt them to identify emotions, triggers, and empathetic responses. Circulate to guide deeper analysis.
Role-Play Empathy Strategies
Put theory into practice by stepping into the roles of both teacher and student.
Pair Up & Rotate
Refer to the Role-Play Guidelines for structure and feedback prompts.
Observe effective techniques
Empathy Scenario Cards Empathy Scenario Cards
Walking in Their Shoes Workshop Activity
Activity Cards
Instructions: Use these cards in small-group Scenario Analysis. Each group draws one card, reads the scenario aloud, and discusses the guiding questions. Use the space provided to jot down key insights for sharing with the larger group.
Card 1: Frustrated Artist
Scenario
"During independent drawing time, Johnny stares out the window, clenches pencils in his fist, and then rips his paper in half. He seems tense and upset."
1. What emotions might Johnny be experiencing?
2. What could be triggering his frustration?
3. What empathetic response or support could the teacher offer?
Card 2: Anxious Performer
Scenario
"Sophia always calls out answers even when not called on. Today, she blurts out repeatedly and seems fidgety, tapping her pencil and avoiding eye contact."
1. What feelings might Sophia have in this moment?
2. What underlying need or trigger might be driving her behavior?
3. How could you respond empathetically to help Sophia participate in a calmer way?
Card 3: Avoidant Group Work
Scenario
"Liam refuses to join his peers for a group math activity. He crosses his arms, turns away, and doesn’t speak when prompted."
1. What emotions might Liam be experiencing?
2. Why might he be avoiding the group task?
3. What empathetic strategy could you use to support his involvement?
Card 4: Silent Rejector
Scenario
"Noah, told to transition from recess back to class, hides under the desk and refuses to move when classmates line up."
1. How might Noah be feeling about the transition?
2. What could be causing his resistance to follow instructions?
3. What empathetic approach could help him re-engage?
Card 5: Distracted Note-Taker
Scenario
"Olivia scribbles on her notebook margins during reading time and seems to stare into space instead of following along."
1. What might Olivia be thinking or feeling?
2. What could be distracting her from the lesson?
3. How could you show empathy while guiding her back to the task?
Card 6: Resistant Writer
Scenario
"Emma crumples up her writing paper, refuses to write anything, and huffs loudly when the assignment is explained."
1. What emotions might Emma be expressing?
2. What might be blocking her from starting the writing task?
Role-Play Guidelines Role-Play Guidelines
Building Empathy through Interactive Practice
1. Preparation (2 Minutes)
Choose an Empathy Scenario Card .
Assign roles: one Teacher , one Student , and one Observer (if in a trio).
Take a moment to read the scenario silently before beginning.
2. Role Descriptions
The Teacher
Use empathetic language and nonverbal cues (eye contact, nodding).
Focus on understanding feelings and triggers.
Offer supportive questions to uncover needs.
The Student
Embody the scenario's emotions and behaviors authentically.
Respond naturally to the teacher's prompts.
Maintain character throughout the session.
The Observer
Watch carefully without interrupting.
Note effective empathetic statements or gestures.
Identify missed opportunities for connection.
3. Role-Play Process (5 Minutes)
1
Begin: Teacher greets the Student and sets a calm, supportive tone.
2
Inquire: Teacher asks open-ended questions (e.g., "I noticed you seem upset—can you tell me what’s on your mind?").
3
Reflect: Teacher paraphrases the Student’s words to show understanding (e.g., "It sounds like you felt frustrated when...").
4
Respond: Student shares thoughts or resistance in character.
5
Strategize: Teacher offers an empathetic strategy (e.g., a break, choice, or validation).
4. Debrief (3 Minutes)
Observer shares:
Two Stars: Specific things the Teacher did well to build connection.
One Wish: A suggestion for where more empathy could be shown.
5. Rotate roles and repeat with a new scenario!
Tips for Success
Speak slowly and maintain a calm, open posture.
Listen more than you talk—give the student space.
Avoid jumping to solutions too quickly.
Use specific, behavior-focused feedback.
Reflection Journaling Template Reflection Journal
Walking in Their Shoes Workshop
Date: _________________
Teacher Name:
School/Grade:
Purpose
Use this template to connect today’s empathy-building strategies to your own classroom context. Reflect deeply on one student and plan your next steps for fostering a supportive, empathetic relationship.
1. Student Profile
Choose one student you feel could benefit from more empathetic support. Describe them briefly (age, strengths, challenges).
2. Observed Behaviors & Triggers
What specific behaviors have you noticed? Identify possible emotions and triggers behind these actions.
3. Empathetic Strategies to Try
List two or three strategies from today’s workshop that you will implement. Explain how you will apply each one.
4. Anticipated Outcomes
What positive changes do you hope to see in the student’s behavior or engagement? Be specific.
5. Potential Challenges
What obstacles might arise? How could you adapt if things don’t go as planned?
6. Personal Learning & Next Steps
Reflect on what you learned about yourself as a teacher today. What will you commit to doing differently in the coming week?
I commit to walking in their shoes.
