Read the Room
Someone is sitting alone during recess. What are two possible emotions they might be feeling?
Lonely
Sad
Left out
Shy
Happy or content (they may actually enjoy being alone!)
A new student doesn't know anyone at school. How might they feel?
Nervous
Shy
Lonely
Excited
Unsure
Name one way to include someone who is sitting alone.
Invite them to play.
Ask them to sit with you.
Start a conversation.
Introduce them to your friends.
Two classmates want to play different games. What is a fair solution?
Take turns choosing games.
Find a game everyone enjoys.
Play one game today and the other tomorrow.
Compromise.
Everyone feels the same way about the same situation. Myth or fact?
MYTH
Everyone experiences and reacts to situations differently.
Your friend is unusually quiet today. What are two things you could do to check on them?
Ask, "Are you okay?"
Ask if they want to talk.
Sit with them or spend time with them.
Let them know you're there if they need anything.
A classmate gets the answer wrong and everyone laughs. What might that student be thinking or feeling?
Embarrassed
Sad
Hurt
Nervous
Afraid to answer questions again
What could you say to someone who feels left out?
"Would you like to join us?"
"You can sit with me."
"Do you want to play together?"
"I'm glad you're here!"
You accidentally hurt someone's feelings. What should you do?
Apologize sincerely.
Listen to how they feel.
Take responsibility for your actions.
Try not to repeat the behavior.
Being empathetic means you always have to agree with someone. Myth or fact?
MYTH
You can understand someone's feelings without agreeing with them.
Your friend smiles and says they're fine, but they look upset. Why is it important not to assume how they feel?
People don't always show how they really feel.
They might be hiding their feelings.
We should ask kindly instead of making assumptions.
Your friend gets upset because you didn't invite them to play. What might be their perspective?
They may feel left out.
They might think you don't want to be their friend.
They may feel hurt because they wanted to spend time with you.
You notice someone being teased. What are two ways you could help?
Tell the person teasing to stop, if it's safe.
Support the student being teased.
Invite them to join you.
Tell a trusted adult.
Your friends don't want to include another student in their game. How could you handle the situation?
Ask your friends if the student can join.
Invite the student to play with you.
Encourage everyone to include others.
Choose kindness even if your friends disagree.
You can understand someone's feelings even if you have never experienced the same thing. Myth or fact?
FACT
You can listen, ask questions, and try to imagine how someone else might feel.
Two students get the same disappointing grade. One laughs it off, while the other cries. Why might they react differently?
Everyone has different feelings and reactions.
One student may not be as worried about the grade.
The other may have worked really hard or feel disappointed.
Everyone handles situations differently.
Someone is having a bad day and snaps at you. What are two things you should consider before reacting?
They may be dealing with something difficult.
They might be frustrated or upset about something else.
Their reaction may not be about you.
You can respond calmly instead of snapping back.
Can you show kindness to someone you don't necessarily get along with? Explain why.
Yes! Everyone deserves kindness and respect.
You don't have to be best friends to treat someone nicely.
Being kind helps create a welcoming environment.
You disagree with someone's opinion. How can you show respect while still sharing your own perspective?
Listen without interrupting.
Use a calm and respectful voice.
Say, "I see it differently because..."
Remember that people can have different opinions.
Sometimes people hide their feelings, so we should avoid making assumptions. Myth or fact?
FACT
We can't always tell how someone feels just by looking at them. It's important to check in rather than assume.
You notice a classmate is frustrated because they keep making mistakes on an assignment. What are some signs that they might need help or encouragement?
They may sigh, put their head down, or look upset.
They may stop working or become frustrated.
They may ask for help or say they can't do it.
You could offer encouragement or ask if they need help.
Your friend wasn't invited to a birthday party. You were invited. How might your friend feel, and how could you be considerate of their feelings?
They might feel sad, left out, disappointed, or hurt.
Avoid bragging about the party or making them feel worse.
Listen if they want to talk about it.
Be thoughtful about their feelings.
A student is new to your school and doesn't know anyone. Name three things you could do to help them feel welcomed.
Introduce yourself and learn their name.
Invite them to sit with you or play with you.
Show them around or introduce them to other classmates.
You notice someone accidentally spills their lunch, and other students start laughing. What would you do to show empathy and help that person?
Help them clean up.
Ask if they're okay.
Avoid laughing or making fun of them.
Encourage others to be kind.
Help them feel less embarrassed.
You can show empathy even when you don't agree with someone's feelings or opinions. Myth or fact?
FACT
Empathy doesn't mean you have to agree with someone. It means you try to understand how they feel and respect their perspective, even when you have a different opinion.