Emotions Facilitation Guide Emotions & Empathy Exploration
8-Week Facilitation Guide • Middle School (Grades 6-7)
Series Guide
Core Objective
Navigate strong emotions and improve self-regulation skills through the lens of cultural competence and humility. This series fosters a supportive environment for personal growth and social interaction using restorative and trauma-informed practices.
Instructional Approach
Restorative Practices Active Learning Trauma-Informed Experiential
Duration
8 Weeks (45 min/session)
Audience
Middle School Boys (Gr. 6-7)
Essential Gear
Projector & Screen
Pens/Markers
Printed Worksheets
The 8-Week Roadmap
1
Introduction to Emotions
Identify feelings and learn the 3-step management process.
Video: "Understanding Your Emotions"
2
Understanding Empathy
Empathy vs. Sympathy and cultural expression of emotion.
Video: "Brené Brown on Empathy"
3
Identifying Triggers
Personal emotional triggers and cultural coping mechanisms.
Worksheet: Emotions & Coping Skills
4
Coping Skills
Role-playing scenarios and practicing regulation strategies.
Video: "Coping Mechanisms"
5
Empathy in Action
Real-life scenarios and active listening techniques.
Video: "4 Things All Great Listeners Know"
6
Emotional Intelligence
Components of EQ and cross-cultural variations.
Reading: Understanding Emotions
7
Building Cultural Competence
Connecting empathy to cultural understanding and ice-breaking.
Activity: Cultural Empathy Quest
8
Reflection & Closure
Recap, personal growth goals, and final reflections.
Video: "How to Move On and Find Closure"
Facilitator's Tips
Environment
Set a circle for discussions to promote restorative principles. Ensure students feel safe sharing by modeling vulnerability.
Cultural Humility
Acknowledge that emotional expression is culturally bound. Avoid generalizing; instead, ask students to share their specific backgrounds.
Engagement
Middle school boys respond well to experiential learning. Keep lecture time minimal and movement/activity time high.
Support
Be aware of trauma triggers. If a student becomes visibly distressed, allow for a "cool down" space and follow up individually.
Week 1 Exit Ticket Quiz Week 1 Exit Ticket
Module: Introduction to Emotions
Name
Date
1. What are the three steps to managing emotions discussed today?
Identifying feelings, thinking about coping skills, practicing skills
Ignoring feelings, reacting immediately, blaming others
Identifying feelings, suppressing emotions, avoiding situations
2. Why is empathy important in understanding emotions?
It helps us connect with others and understand their perspectives
It allows us to ignore others' feelings
It makes us focus only on our own emotions
End of Session 1 Check-in
Empathy Explorers Intro Slides Week 1
Mapping
Feelings
Emotions & Empathy Exploration Series
The Big Goal
1
Understand what we feel and why .
2
Learn to manage strong emotions.
3
Build Empathy for others' stories.
"If you can name it, you can tame it."
Checking In
Discussion Starter:
What is one emotion you felt today? What "triggered" it?
Remember:
All feelings are valid. It's how we react that matters.
Empathy Rule:
Listen to hear, not just to answer.
Understanding Emotions
Video Feature
[Facilitator: Please show the "Understanding Your Emotions" video now]
lennylearning.org/view/understanding-your-emotions
The Game Plan
1
Identify
What am I feeling right now? Is it anger, sadness, or just stress?
2
Think
What is my toolkit? What skill will help me calm down?
3
Practice
Use the skill. Take the breath. Speak your truth respectfully.
Empathy Discussion Guide The Empathy Connection
Discussion & Reflection Guide
Empathy is about more than just "feeling bad" for someone. It is a bridge that connects us to people with different experiences, backgrounds, and cultures.
1
The Difference: Empathy vs. Sympathy
What is the main difference between these two concepts? Think about the video you watched—how does empathy create a connection that sympathy doesn't?
2
Crossing Cultural Borders
How can empathy help us understand people from different cultures? How does taking someone else's perspective help respect their background?
3
Personal Experience
Share a time when you felt empathy for someone. How did that feeling change your actions or how you treated them?
Name:
Date:
Empathy Bridge
Week 2 Exit Ticket Quiz Week 2 Exit Ticket
Module: Understanding Empathy
Name
Date
1. What is the main difference between empathy and sympathy?
Empathy involves understanding and sharing feelings; sympathy involves feeling sorry for someone
Empathy is feeling sorry for someone; sympathy is understanding and sharing feelings
Empathy and sympathy are the same thing
2. How can empathy improve cultural competence?
By helping us understand and respect diverse perspectives
By making us ignore cultural differences
By focusing only on our own culture
End of Session 2 Check-in
Emotions Coping Worksheet Empathy Explorers
Worksheet
Emotions & Coping Skills
Name
Date
This worksheet helps you identify your emotional triggers and develop coping strategies. Understanding what pushes your buttons is the first step in staying in control.
1 Emotional Inventory
List three emotions you often experience and describe what triggers them (the situations or people that lead to these feelings).
Emotion A:
Trigger:
Emotion B:
Trigger:
Emotion C:
Trigger:
2 The Toolkit
Identify two coping skills you can use for each emotion listed above. (Think about relaxation, distraction, movement, or changing how you think about the situation).
For Emotion A:
Skill 1
Skill 2
For Emotion B:
Skill 1
Skill 2
For Emotion C:
Skill 1
Skill 2
3 Reflection
Reflect on a recent situation where you managed your emotions well. What happened, and how did you handle it?
Week 3 Exit Ticket Quiz Week 3 Exit Ticket
Module: Identifying Emotions
Name
Date
1. What is an emotional trigger?
A situation or interaction that leads to a specific emotion
A tool used to suppress emotions
A way to ignore feelings
2. Why is it important to identify emotional triggers?
To better manage and respond to emotions
To avoid dealing with emotions entirely
To blame others for how we feel
End of Session 3 Check-in
Week 4 Exit Ticket Quiz Week 4 Exit Ticket
Module: Coping Skills
Name
Date
1. What is a coping skill?
A strategy to manage emotions effectively
A way to ignore emotions
A method to blame others for our feelings
2. Why is it important to practice coping skills?
To improve emotional regulation and well-being
To avoid dealing with emotions
To suppress feelings
End of Session 4 Check-in
Week 5 Exit Ticket Quiz Week 5 Exit Ticket
Module: Empathy in Action
Name
Date
1. How can empathy improve relationships?
By fostering understanding and connection
By ignoring others' feelings
By focusing only on our own needs
2. What is one way empathy can be applied in real-life scenarios?
By considering others' perspectives before reacting
By ignoring others' emotions
By focusing only on our own feelings
End of Session 5 Check-in
Understanding Emotions Reading Material UNDERSTANDING EMOTIONS
Level: Explorer • Module 6
"Emotions are a natural part of our lives, influencing how we think and act. They can be powerful and sometimes overwhelming, but learning to manage them is crucial for our well-being."
Recognizing the Signals
Emotions are like signals from your brain. They can be triggered by various situations, such as stress at school, relationships with friends, or changes in your environment. Identifying what we feel—and why—is the first step in managing emotions effectively. When you can name the feeling, you can start to tame it.
The Power of Response
Once we recognize our emotions, we have a choice. This is where your coping skills come in. This might involve using skills like deep breathing, talking to someone you trust, or engaging in a calming activity. Remember: all emotions are valid, but how we express them can impact ourselves and the people around us.
Building Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Emotional Intelligence involves understanding our own emotions and the emotions of others. It helps us navigate social situations and build strong, empathetic relationships. Practicing empathy, active listening, and open communication are key parts of your EQ toolkit.
Key Concepts
Trigger
The specific spark (event, person, thought) that sets off an emotional reaction.
Coping Skill
A healthy tool or action you use to manage intense feelings and stay calm.
Empathy
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person by seeing things through their eyes.
By managing our emotions, we improve our mental health and foster positive interactions.
Week 6 Exit Ticket Quiz Week 6 Exit Ticket
Module: Emotional Intelligence
Name
Date
1. What is emotional intelligence?
Understanding and managing our own emotions and those of others
Ignoring emotions to be more logical
Focusing only on our own feelings
2. Why is emotional intelligence important?
It helps us navigate social situations and build strong relationships
It allows us to ignore others' feelings
It makes us focus only on our own emotions
End of Session 6 Check-in
Week 7 Exit Ticket Quiz Week 7 Exit Ticket
Module: Cultural Competence
Name
Date
1. What is cultural competence?
Understanding and respecting diverse cultural perspectives
Ignoring cultural differences to treat everyone "exactly" the same
Focusing only on our own culture
2. How can empathy contribute to cultural competence?
By helping us understand and respect diverse perspectives
By making us ignore cultural differences
By focusing only on our own culture
End of Session 7 Check-in
Cultural Empathy Quest Activity Guide Cultural Empathy Quest
Bridging Black & Brown Perspectives
60 Minutes
Groups of 4-5
Objective
Explore racial tensions between Black and Brown peers, practice active listening, and collaborate on respectful conflict resolution strategies.
Essential Question
"How can asking questions reduce assumptions?"
Core Skill
Active Listening & "I" Statements
Gear Needed
• Community Voice Cards
• Racial History Chart
• Scenario Envelopes
• Poster Paper & Markers
Mission Phases
01
Community Voices Stations
Visit Stations A & B to hear stories from both Black and Brown perspectives.
Group Reflection Space:
What emotions does this student feel? What cultural context influences them?
02
Empathy Mapping
On your poster, map out the feelings and needs of both perspectives.
Needs (Respect, Recognition, etc.)
Questions to Open Dialogue
03
Conflict Role-Play
Draw a scenario card and plan a 3-minute skit using "I" statements.
Preparation Area: Sketch your plan here
Individual Reflection
What is one new understanding you gained about the other group?
How would you handle a similar conflict in the future? (Use "I" statements)
What is one question you still have about Black–Brown experiences?
"Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means."
Empathy Quest Check-Out
Name:
Week 8 Exit Ticket Quiz Week 8 Exit Ticket
Module: Reflection & Closure
Name
Date
1. What is one key takeaway from this series on emotions and empathy?
Understanding and managing emotions is crucial for personal growth
Ignoring emotions is the best strategy for success
Focusing only on our own feelings is the most important part
2. How can you continue to practice empathy and self-regulation in your interactions?
By considering others' perspectives and managing emotions effectively
By ignoring others' feelings when they conflict with mine
By focusing only on my own needs and avoiding difficult emotions
Congratulations on completing the series!
Showcase Project Guide Empathy Showcase
Culminating Group Project
The Mission
Your group will create a presentation or creative piece that explores the core themes of our 8-week journey: Emotions, Empathy, and Cultural Competence. This is your chance to show what you've learned and how you can lead others in understanding.
Live Skit
Act out a real-life scenario where someone uses empathy and self-regulation to solve a cultural misunderstanding.
Interactive Poster
Design a "Visual Toolkit" for managing emotions, featuring cultural examples and coping strategies.
Podcast/Video
Record a segment discussing why empathy matters in our school and community today.
Must-Have Elements
1
Define Empathy in your own words.
2
Explain the 3-Step Process for managing emotions.
3
Include Cultural Examples (How do different groups express feelings?).
4
Demonstrate Active Listening skills.
Project Blueprint
Group Members
Project Format
What is the main message of your project?
How will you include cultural perspectives?
What tasks need to be completed? (Action Plan)
Task 1:
Task 2:
Task 3:
Task 4:
