Lesson Plan

Compassion Cartography Lesson Plan

Students will explore and illustrate acts of kindness in their community by collaborating on creative storytelling and mapping activities, aiming to foster empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives.

This lesson cultivates social-emotional skills by highlighting compassion in real-life contexts, encouraging students to recognize and value empathy, cooperation, and community connections.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Classroom

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

10 minutes

Step 2

Storytelling with Prompts

10 minutes

Step 3

Compassion Map Creation

20 minutes

Step 4

Gallery Walk & Peer Feedback

15 minutes

Step 5

Reflection & Exit Ticket

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Compassion Cartography: Building Bridges Through Understanding

Welcome students! Introduce today’s journey: we will explore kindness and compassion, then map real acts in our community.

Why Compassion Matters

Explain that compassion helps us connect, solve problems together, and make our world friendlier.

Kindness vs. Compassion

Discuss the difference. Ask: “Can an action be kind but not compassionate?”

Warm-Up: Share a Kind Moment

Give students 2–3 minutes to turn and talk, then invite a few pairs to share.

Kindness Story Prompts

Hand out the Kindness Story Prompts Handout. Model prompt #1 with a short example.

Storytelling Activity

Assign groups of 3–4. Remind them to listen without interrupting and take turns speaking.

Introducing Your Compassion Map

Show the printed Compassion Map Template. Point out map areas and sticky-note placeholders.

Create Your Map

Remind students to plan their map lightly in pencil before decorating.

Gallery Walk & Feedback

Ensure each student leaves feedback. Monitor discussions and encourage thoughtful questions.

Reflection Time

Invite volunteers to share. Record responses on the board.

Exit Ticket: Your Act of Kindness

Collect the exit tickets as students place them on the kindness board. Celebrate ideas!

Thank You!

Thank students for their enthusiasm. Encourage them to keep noticing and mapping kindness every day.

Lesson Plan

Compassion Cartography Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Classroom

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

Step 2

Storytelling with Prompts

Step 3

Compassion Map Creation

Step 4

Gallery Walk & Peer Feedback

Step 5

Reflection & Exit Ticket

Slide Deck

Compassion Cartography: Building Bridges Through Understanding

Why Compassion Matters

Kindness vs. Compassion

Warm-Up: Share a Kind Moment

Kindness Story Prompts

Storytelling Activity

Introducing Your Compassion Map

Create Your Map

Gallery Walk & Feedback

Reflection Time

Exit Ticket: Your Act of Kindness

Thank You!

Activity

Compassion Cartography: Building Bridges Through Understanding

Melissa Hathaway