Lesson Plan

Empathy Code Mystery Outline

Students will collaborate to solve a series of math puzzles while practicing empathetic listening and perspective-taking to strengthen both SEL and problem-solving skills.

Integrating empathy into math builds a supportive classroom culture, improves communication, and develops collaboration and critical-thinking abilities.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Step 2

Form Teams & Distribute Materials

5 minutes

Step 3

Mystery Puzzle Rounds

25 minutes

Step 4

Reflection & Debrief

7 minutes

Step 5

Closure & Next Steps

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Can You Crack the Empathy Code?

Welcome students enthusiastically. Introduce yourself and explain that today they’ll become code detectives solving a math mystery using empathy and teamwork.

Learning Objectives

Read each objective aloud. Emphasize how empathy and math can work together to help us solve puzzles.

What Is Empathetic Listening?

Define empathetic listening. Share an example: listening to a friend’s idea without interrupting and reflecting it back.

Why Empathy Matters in Math

Discuss how listening with empathy improves our class culture and puzzle-solving abilities.

Game Rules & Roles

Explain each rule and role. Invite students to volunteer for roles in their teams.

Discussion: Empathetic Listening

Prompt students to turn and talk for 1–2 minutes. Call on a few teams to share responses.

Let’s Get Started!

Transition into the game phase. Remind students where materials are and encourage energy and focus.

Lesson Plan

Empathy Code Mystery Outline

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Introduction

Step 2

Form Teams & Distribute Materials

Step 3

Mystery Puzzle Rounds

Step 4

Reflection & Debrief

Step 5

Closure & Next Steps

Slide Deck

Can You Crack the Empathy Code?

Learning Objectives

What Is Empathetic Listening?

Why Empathy Matters in Math

Game Rules & Roles

Discussion: Empathetic Listening

Let’s Get Started!

Game

Script

Rubric

Can You Crack the Empathy Code?

Solal Stern