Lesson Plan

Empathy Explorers Lesson Plan

Students will enhance their empathy by practicing perspective-taking through role-play scenarios and personal reflection, aiming to recognize and articulate others’ feelings.

Building empathy helps students form stronger social connections, improve communication, and foster a supportive classroom environment by understanding peers’ emotions.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Material Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Scenario Role-Play

10 minutes

Step 3

Group Discussion

7 minutes

Step 4

Personal Reflection

5 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Empathy Explorers

Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Explain that today’s goal is to build empathy by practicing perspective-taking. Emphasize why empathy matters in friendships and teamwork.

Today's Objectives

Review the three objectives on the slide. Invite students to read them aloud with you.

Warm-Up Activity

Set a 5-minute timer. Read the prompt aloud, then have students turn to a partner and share for about 1–2 minutes each.

Scenario Role-Play

Distribute the [Empathy Role-Play Cards](#empathy-role-play-cards). Give pairs 10 minutes to read, act out, and discuss each character’s feelings. Circulate to ask probing questions.

Group Discussion

Bring the group back together around chart paper. Record student responses as they share. Highlight surprising perspectives and strategies.

Personal Reflection

Hand out the [Perspective-Taking Reflection Journal](#perspective-taking-reflection-journal). Give students 5 minutes to write. Encourage them to be specific and note one action they can take.

Closing & Takeaways

Form a circle. Invite each student to share one empathy strategy they’ll use outside today’s lesson. Thank everyone for their participation.

Lesson Plan

Empathy Explorers Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Material Preparation

Step 1

Warm-Up

Step 2

Scenario Role-Play

Step 3

Group Discussion

Step 4

Personal Reflection

Step 5

Cool-Down

Slide Deck

Empathy Explorers

Today's Objectives

Warm-Up Activity

Scenario Role-Play

Group Discussion

Personal Reflection

Closing & Takeaways

Worksheet

Activity

Journal

Empathy Explorers

Alyssha Walker