Lesson Plan

Building Bridges Lesson Plan

Students will learn and practice three essential relationship skills—active listening, empathy, and constructive communication—through interactive scenarios and reflections. By the end of the lesson, they will demonstrate attentive listening cues, articulate empathetic responses, and engage in respectful dialogue.

Strong relationship skills foster positive friendships, reduce conflict, and build teamwork essential in and out of the classroom. Teaching these skills equips 7th graders to navigate social challenges, show empathy, and collaborate effectively.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Setup

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Step 2

Active Listening Demonstration

7 minutes

Step 3

Empathy in Action

8 minutes

Step 4

Constructive Communication Practice

7 minutes

Step 5

Reflection and Wrap-Up

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Building Bridges

Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s lesson: Building Bridges through active listening, empathy, and constructive communication. Emphasize that these skills help us build stronger friendships and work better in teams.

Lesson Objectives

Read the objectives aloud and remind students to pay attention—they’ll practice each skill today.

Why These Skills Matter

Share examples: listening helps you understand friends, empathy builds trust, and constructive feedback resolves conflicts.

Materials

Quickly show each material and explain its use. Ensure everyone knows where to find them.

Key Definitions

Define each term clearly. Invite students to give their own examples after you explain.

Active Listening Demonstration

Distribute the graphic organizer. Model a conversation with a volunteer: maintain eye contact, nod, paraphrase. Ask students to record cues.

Empathy in Action

Pass out the Empathy Reflection Worksheet and one scenario card. Monitor pairs as they write empathetic responses. Invite volunteers to share.

Constructive Communication Practice

Distribute new scenario cards. Demonstrate an “I” statement and feedback sandwich: compliment, suggestion, compliment. Let pairs role-play.

Reflection & Wrap-Up

Ask students to write a personal commitment on a ticket or sticky note. Invite volunteers to read theirs. Summarize and encourage practice.

Lesson Plan

Building Bridges Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Setup

Step 1

Introduction

Step 2

Active Listening Demonstration

Step 3

Empathy in Action

Step 4

Constructive Communication Practice

Step 5

Reflection and Wrap-Up

Slide Deck

Building Bridges

Lesson Objectives

Why These Skills Matter

Materials

Key Definitions

Active Listening Demonstration

Empathy in Action

Constructive Communication Practice

Reflection & Wrap-Up

Activity

Worksheet

Worksheet

Building Bridges