Lesson Plan

Walking in Others' Shoes Plan

Students will explore empathy by stepping into peers’ experiences, articulating emotions, and reflecting on supportive responses.

Empathy strengthens relationships, reduces conflict, and fosters a positive classroom environment by helping students understand and connect with each other.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Step 2

Scenario Activity

15 minutes

Step 3

Group Sharing & Reflection

7 minutes

Step 4

Closing

3 minutes

Lesson Plan

Walking in Their Shoes Lesson Plan

Students will understand the meaning of empathy, practice stepping into others’ experiences through scenarios, and identify supportive responses to foster a caring classroom community.

Empathy strengthens relationships, reduces conflict, and promotes a positive classroom environment by helping students recognize and respond to others’ feelings.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Step 2

Scenario Activity

15 minutes

Step 3

Group Sharing & Reflection

7 minutes

Step 4

Closing

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Walking in Their Shoes

Welcome students and set the tone: “Today we’re going to walk in someone else’s shoes.” Share a brief anecdote about a time you felt understood.

What is Empathy?

Ask: “What does empathy mean to you?” Capture responses on the board. Guide them toward the definition below.

Why Empathy Matters

Discuss each bullet. Invite students to share classroom or home examples of how empathy helped.

Today’s Goal

Explain the lesson’s goal and connect it back to the definition and importance just discussed.

Scenario Activity

Walk through each step slowly. Show a sample card and worksheet on the board.

Example Scenario 1

Model your thought process: “They might feel lonely or nervous—so I could invite them to sit with me.”

Example Scenario 2

Encourage students to go beyond “It’s okay.” Prompt them toward action: listening, encouragement, offering help.

Group Sharing & Reflection

Invite 2–3 groups to share. Prompt deeper thinking: “What surprised you about your group’s responses?”

Reflection & Closing

Go around the room quickly for one-word or one-sentence responses. Collect the worksheets as students share.

Lesson Plan

Walking in Others' Shoes Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Introduction

Step 2

Scenario Activity

Step 3

Group Sharing & Reflection

Step 4

Closing

Lesson Plan

Walking in Their Shoes Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Introduction

Step 2

Scenario Activity

Step 3

Group Sharing & Reflection

Step 4

Closing

Slide Deck

Walking in Their Shoes

What is Empathy?

Why Empathy Matters

Today’s Goal

Scenario Activity

Example Scenario 1

Example Scenario 2

Group Sharing & Reflection

Reflection & Closing

Activity

Worksheet

Walking in Their Shoes

Celestine Henry