Welcome students! Say: “Today we’re Empathy Explorers. We will learn how to understand and show kindness to others.” Ask: “What does kindness mean?” List ideas on the board.

Display the illustration of Mia and Sam at recess. Read: “Mia sees Sam sitting alone on the bench, looking sad.” Ask: “How do you think Sam feels? Why?”

Show Mia’s choice scene. Read: “Mia takes a deep breath and asks, ‘Do you want to play with us?’” Ask: “Why did Mia ask? How might Sam feel now?”

Introduce emotion words. Read each and ask students to mime or hold up fingers for the emotion. Reinforce recognizing feelings.

Invite volunteers. Prompt: “Think of a time you saw someone alone. What did you do—or what could you do—to show empathy?” Use sentence starter: “I feel ___ when ___.”

Hand out the Kindness and Empathy Worksheets. Read instructions: “Draw or write how you would help in each scenario.” Circulate to support and praise.

Ask each student to share one kind act they will try this week. Do a thumbs-up/thumbs-down check: “I understand empathy.” Praise their ideas and remind them to practice daily.