1. Westport Middle School Advisory Lesson
Empathy
Westport Middle School
Advisory Lesson

2. Icebreaker: Non-Verbal Messages
Students take turns acting out feeling statements without speaking. After a student pantomimes a feeling statement, the other students try to guess what it is.
Examples:
“I’m glad to meet you.”
“I’m tired.”
“I’m so angry at you for being late.”
“I’m worried about taking this test.”
“I’m bored during this lesson.”
“I’m feeling terrific today.”

3. Learning Target and Agenda
Learning Target: I can understand empathy and show it towards others.
Agenda:
Discuss Empathy
Turn and Talk
Video
Activity
Exit Slip

4. Discuss What is empathy? Why is it important?
What are some things you can do to show empathy?
What does it mean to put yourself in someone else’s shoes?
Have you ever hurt someone’s feelings? How did you know and how did you feel?

5. Empathy
empathy [em-puh-thee] (noun) the understanding of or the ability to identify with another person's feelings or experiences

6. Turn and Talk
Read the following scenario and talk about what you would do to show empathy.
One of your classmates has been bullying another classmate. At first you thought it was just joking around, but then you noticed that he wasn’t anymore. Everyone in class still thinks it’s funny, but you don’t and you see that the student who is getting picked on is very upset.

7. Miniature Pony Rescue Video
Watch the short video and describe how the people who helped the miniature pony had empathy.
Miniature Pony Rescue Video

8. Activity: Someone Else’s Shoes
Take one character card, pair up with a classmate, and read your card aloud while your partner practices being an empathetic listener.
Then, switch roles: practice being empathetic as your partner, as his character, tells you what he is experiencing.
With your partner, discuss how he or she showed empathy toward you.

9. Are You Empathetic? Exit Slip Read each item.
Circle “yes” if the statement describes you or “no” if it does not.

10. Icebreaker: Paper Toss
Divide the room in half.
Make balls of paper and strew them along the dividing line.
Divide into two teams.
The object is to get the balls on the other team’s side.
Create rules for fair play and decide on a method of moving balls (flicking, swatting, blowing, etc.) before beginning.
Set a timer for two minutes.
When the time is up, count the balls of paper on each side to determine the winner.

11. Learning Target and Agenda
Learning Target: I can learn how to practice empathy.
Agenda:
Review empathy
5 Skills to Develop Empathy
Read Character in Action: Mia Mejorado and answer questions
Exit Slip

12. Review Empathy
empathy [em-puh-thee] (noun) the understanding of or the ability to identify with another person's feelings or experiences

13. Five Skills to Develop Empathy
Step 1 – Watch & Listen: What is the other person saying and what is their body language?
Step 2 – Remember: When did you feel the same way?
Step 3 – Imagine: Imagine how you might feel in that situation. Validate the wide range of emotions that come up.
Step 4 – Ask: Ask how the person is feeling.
Step 5 - Show You Care: Let them know that you care through your words and actions.

14. Read: Character in Action
Read about Mia Mejorado and answer the questions.
10 minutes
End

15. Exit Slip: Reflect
How could you work on being more empathetic towards others? What steps could you take? Who could help you?

16. Icebreaker: Zoom! Students stand in a circle.
A player begins the activity by saying, “ZOOM!” and turning his or her head to a neighbor either on the right or the left.
The neighbor passes the zoom to the next player and so on around the circle.
The idea is to go as fast as you can.
The teacher can time the students to see how long it takes to go around the circle.

17. Learning Target and Agenda
Learning Target: I can learn how to practice empathy by volunteering in my community.
Agenda:
Review empathy
Empathy and volunteering—the connection
Video
Activity- Make a plan to volunteer and practice empathy in your community
Exit Slip

18. Empathy and Volunteering
A common reason for conflict, whether cultural, racial, or economic, is lack of empathy. 
Since volunteering involves helping others and developing relationships with others, it can increase empathy.

19. Video
Volunteer! Watch the video and brainstorm ways you could volunteer in the community.

20. Complete the Action Plan to volunteer in your community.
Activity
Complete the Action Plan to volunteer in your community.

21. Exit Slip
How does volunteering increase your ability to have empathy for others?