❤️ Empathy
What does empathy mean?
Understanding or trying to understand how another person feels or what they might be thinking.
What does it mean to respect someone's differences?
Treating them kindly and recognizing that everyone is unique.
Someone is smiling and has a relaxed face. What might they be feeling?
Happy, pleased, or excited.
“Yes! We get to go outside for recess!”
The student jumps up and smiles.
What might they be feeling?
Excited or happy.
You notice a new student sitting alone. What could you do?
Say hello, introduce yourself, and invite them to join you.
Your friend looks sad because they lost their favorite toy. How might you respond?
“I'm sorry you're feeling sad. Is there anything I can do?”
Name one way classmates might be different from one anothe
Languages, cultures, traditions, interests, abilities, family backgrounds, or ways of learning.
Someone has their arms crossed, a frown on their face, and is speaking in a sharp voice. What might these clues tell you?
They might be angry, frustrated, or upset.
A student is sitting quietly with their head down after receiving a low grade.
What might they be feeling?
Disappointed, sad, frustrated, or embarrassed.
Someone tells a joke that makes another student uncomfortable. What could you do?
Don't join in, show respect, and support the student who is uncomfortable.
Someone is nervous about giving a presentation. Name one thing you could do to show empathy.
Listen, encourage them, tell them they can do it, or offer support.
Why is it good for a classroom to have people with different backgrounds and experiences?
We can learn from one another and gain new ideas and perspectives.
Someone is looking down, speaking quietly, and avoiding eye contact. What might they be feeling?
Shy, nervous, sad, uncomfortable, or worried.
A student keeps looking at the clock and tapping their foot before a presentation.
What might they be feeling?
Nervous or anxious.
You disagree with a classmate's opinion. What should you do?
Listen respectfully and remember that people can have different opinions.
Why might two people feel differently about the same situation?
People have different experiences, thoughts, personalities, and feelings.
Your classmate celebrates a holiday that you don't celebrate. What could you do?
Ask respectful questions, listen, and show interest in learning about it.
What are three things you can notice when trying to understand how someone is feeling?
Facial expression, body language, and tone of voice.
A student is smiling while talking, but their voice sounds shaky and they keep looking at the floor.
What might this tell you?
They might be nervous, even though they are smiling.
You notice that someone is having trouble understanding the directions. What could you do?
Offer help or ask if they would like help.
Your classmate doesn't want to join a game today. Instead of saying, “That's silly,” what could you do?
Respect their feelings and ask if they want to talk or do something else.
Is “different” the same as “wrong”? Explain.
No. People can have different traditions, opinions, interests, and ways of doing things without one being wrong.
Why shouldn't we assume we know exactly how someone feels just by looking at them?
Social cues give us clues, but we can't always know what someone is thinking or feeling. We can ask respectfully.
Your friend says, “I'm fine,” but they have tears in their eyes and are speaking very quietly.
What is the most socially aware response?
Respectfully check in: “You seem upset. Do you want to talk?”
You notice someone looks upset, but you're not sure why. What are three socially aware things you could do?