Empathy
What does empathy mean?
To put yourself in someone else's shoes. The ability to understand someone else's feelings and perspective
What does self-awareness mean?
Self-awareness means noticing and understanding your own thoughts, feelings, and actions.
What is a responsible choice? Give a simple example a 4th grader might make.
A responsible choice is doing something that is safe and respectful. For example, finishing homework before playing.
What is the first step of solving a problem when you and a friend disagree?
The first step is to calm down and listen.
Give one idea for a small kindness you can do today for someone at school.
Hold the door open for someone.
If a friend is sad because they lost their pet, name one way you can show empathy.
I could listen to them and say, “I’m really sorry about your pet.”
Name two feelings you might notice in your body when you are nervous.
My heart might beat fast, and my stomach might feel tight.
If you accidentally break a classmate's pencil, what is a responsible choice you could make next?
I could apologize and offer to replace the pencil.
List three steps you can follow to solve a problem with a peer.
Listen to each other
Share how you feel
Find a fair solution together
How could you spread kindness in the cafeteria? Name two actions.
Sit with someone new and say “thank you” to the lunch staff.
"Sara's classmate forgot their lunch and looks embarrassed." Write one empathetic thing Sara could say or do.
Sara could quietly say, “It’s okay, that happens sometimes. Want to sit with me?”
How can naming your emotion (saying "I feel ___") help you calm down? Give one example.
When you say how you feel, it helps your brain slow down. For example, saying “I feel frustrated” can help me take deep breaths instead of yelling.
A student is tempted to copy homework. Explain why that is not a responsible choice and offer two better alternatives.
Copying is not responsible because it is not honest. Better choices are asking the teacher for help or trying my best on my own.
Two students both want the same basketball during recess. Give a step-by-step plan they could use to solve the problem fairly.
Talk calmly
Decide to take turns
Set a timer so each gets equal time
Plan a kindness challenge for yourself, including 3 things you want to do for someone else.
Explain how putting yourself in someone else's shoes can help you respond kindly. Give one example.
When you imagine how someone else feels, you are more likely to be kind. For example, if you think about how nervous a new student feels, you might smile and invite them to play.
List three strengths you might celebrate about yourself and explain why noticing strengths is important.
I am a good listener, I try my best, and I am creative. Noticing strengths is important because it builds confidence and helps you believe in yourself.
You see someone being left out at recess. Describe a responsible choice you could make to help the situation and why it matters.
I could invite them to join my game. It matters because everyone deserves to feel included.
Create a short script (2–3 lines each) showing how to use "I" statements to solve an argument.
“I feel upset when I don’t get a turn.”
“I want us to share so we both feel happy.”
Share a short thank-you note (2–3 sentences) to someone who helped you.
Thank you for helping me when I didn’t understand the math problem. You were patient and kind. I really appreciate you.
Describe a time (real or imagined) when someone showed empathy to you or a character in a story. Explain how that made the person feel and why empathy helped.
When I was nervous about a test, my teacher told me she believed in me. It made me feel calmer and more confident. Her empathy helped because I felt understood instead of alone.
Describe a time you felt proud but also worried. Explain both feelings and how knowing them helped you make a choice.
I felt proud when I tried out for a play, but worried I might forget my lines. Knowing both feelings helped me practice more so I felt ready.
Explain how thinking about consequences before acting can change your decision. Provide a concrete example.
If I think about getting in trouble for talking during class, I might choose to stay quiet so I can learn and keep the class calm.
Describe a classroom problem and how it was solved
EX...
How can you show kindness to yourself today?
Compliment yourself