EMPATHY

What does Empathy look like?

Essential Questions: What does it mean to put yourself in someone else’s shoes? How can I show empathy toward others? Ask for one or two students to answer each question

Can you think of a time you wished someone showed they understood how you felt? Teacher: shares an example of a time they wished someone understood how they felt. Ask students: would anyone like to share an example? Hand out “Do I Show Empathy?” have students complete the self-assessment questions

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. As we saw in the video, empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Ask: Do you think you are an empathetic person? Do you think the people you know are empathetic?

The difference: Empathy is putting yourself in their shoes. If Empathy is: Then Sympathy is: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Feeling compassion, sorrow or pity for another person. The difference: Empathy is putting yourself in their shoes. Instruct students to write down definitions in the Definitions box of their worksheet.

Empathetic Statements Empathetic Listening Empathetic Statements Being nonjudgmental Being present Listening for feelings Paying attention to body language Allowing for silence Clarify the feeling Restate the feeling Let the person know you understand why they are feeling that way Offering to help Instruct students to write down examples of empathetic listening and examples of empathetic statements in the Definition box on their worksheet

Examples of Empathetic Statements That’s frustrating. I would feel the same way you do in your situation. You look lost, how can I help? That would have hurt my feelings too. Do you want to talk about it? What happened to you was wrong. I totally agree with you. Ask if a student can give an example of when someone made an empathetic statement to them. If not, give them an example of when someone made an empathetic statement to you.

How can I demonstrate Empathy when… …you think about another person’s feelings. …you want to make another person feel better. …you are upset to see someone being treated disrespectfully. …others are sad but they don’t say anything. As a class, use the four statements from the self-assessment to ask students to create empathetic statements. For each statement, ask, “How can you demonstrate Empathy when…”

Why is Empathy Important? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzPMMSKfKZQ

Independent Application Answer the three questions in the Independent Practice box on your worksheet

Group Application Work with your elbow buddy Take your scenario and with your partner write down how you would show empathy. Illustrate your story board according to your writing. Students will work with their elbow partner to create story boards. Use your judgment on timing. When most of the class is ready to share, begin asking volunteers to share. Groups should complete at least two scenarios.

Synthesis How can you demonstrate empathy toward your peers and adults in the school setting? How is it easier to show empathy toward your friends than someone you don’t know? What is the importance of demonstrating empathy regardless of the person?

Check-in Check-out Circles Your circles the week of September 25th will be about Empathy. Practice this week showing empathy. Pay attention and see how many other people show empathy. Distribute Exit Ticket. Collect Exit Ticket.

Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.” -unknown Safety valve-Ask students to tell you what the quote means to them, or have them give an example that illustrates what the quote means.