Kindergarten
Lesson Concepts
Why This Lesson Matters
In early childhood, students begin to recognize that people can feel and think different things about the same situation. This skill is an important part of social perspective-taking. Without this understanding, students would not consider the existence of any perspective other than their own. It is also important to start teaching the differences that everyone has and why these differences are so important in our lives. We can learn a lot from each other from these differences. It is also important to point out that we are thankful for these differences because it is what makes each one of us unique.
Learning Targets
Students will be able to:
Puppets
Second Step Lesson 9 Skill Practice: two students at a time act in front of their class, each pretends that something has happened and make a face to show how they feel, everyone else will see if they have the same or different feelings. ex: you are asked to hold a frog, a friend invites you to go swimming in a lake, a cousin wants you to come visit, you just found out you are having recess inside.
We have talked about how we have different feelings about things, what are other ways we are different?
Read: It’s Okay to be Different by: Todd Parr
Video: Elmer
Video - Auto B Good - Shifting to High Gear: Extreme Overhaul (see below)
- People can have different feelings about the same situation
- It is okay for people to have different feelings about the same things
- It is is okay for people to have differences
Why This Lesson Matters
In early childhood, students begin to recognize that people can feel and think different things about the same situation. This skill is an important part of social perspective-taking. Without this understanding, students would not consider the existence of any perspective other than their own. It is also important to start teaching the differences that everyone has and why these differences are so important in our lives. We can learn a lot from each other from these differences. It is also important to point out that we are thankful for these differences because it is what makes each one of us unique.
Learning Targets
Students will be able to:
- compare physical and emotional similarities and differences between two people
- demonstrate that people can have different feelings about the same situation
- When I say “Simon says do the same thing I do” then do the same thing
- When I say “simon says do something different than I do” then do something different
Puppets
- Puppy & Snail have been talking about how fast they want to spin on the spinning thing on the playground, they both have different opinions
Second Step Lesson 9 Skill Practice: two students at a time act in front of their class, each pretends that something has happened and make a face to show how they feel, everyone else will see if they have the same or different feelings. ex: you are asked to hold a frog, a friend invites you to go swimming in a lake, a cousin wants you to come visit, you just found out you are having recess inside.
We have talked about how we have different feelings about things, what are other ways we are different?
Read: It’s Okay to be Different by: Todd Parr
- Does it really matter what color your skin is?
- Is it alright to tease someone about what someone looks like?
- What can you do if you get teased or you see teasing because of what someone looks like?
- Discuss harassment and discipline procedures
Video: Elmer
- Why wasn’t Elmer happy? What made him different from other elephants?
- What did Elmer do at the berry bush?
- How do you think Elmer felt when none of the other elephants recognized him?
- Why do you think the elephants were all so serious? What did Elmer do to make them laugh?
- What did the elephants decide to do in Elmer’s honor each year?
- Do you think Elmer learned a lesson from his experience? What lesson?
Video - Auto B Good - Shifting to High Gear: Extreme Overhaul (see below)
- (Self-Acceptance) The popular TV show "Extreme Overhaul" has Derek believing he's just a regular truck with a boring life, but after getting his new look he discovers his old life wasn't so bad after all.
1st Grade
Lesson Concepts
Why This Lesson Matters
In early childhood, students begin to recognize that people can feel and think different things about the same situation. This skill is an important part of social perspective-taking. Not assuming everyone feels as just as they do or as they would in a situation helps children build empathy. It is also important to start teaching the differences that everyone has and why these differences are so important in our lives. We can learn a lot from each other from these differences. It is also important to point out that we are thankful for these differences because it is what makes each one of us unique.
Learning Targets
Students will be able to:
Today we are going to focus on how people can have the same or different feelings about the same situation and other ways people are different
Second Step Lesson Card 8 - Story and Discussion and Video - SS 1st grade DVD - Lesson 8
SS Lesson Card 8 - Skill Practice: Go through whole class, with 4 volunteers at a time. Each pretends that something has happened and makes a face to show how they feel, everyone else will see if they have the same or different feelings. Examples: You are asked to hold a frog, You are asked to speak in front of the whole school at an assembly, A friend wants you to go on a big roller coaster, You are staying inside for recess, The field trip was cancelled because of bad weather.
Watched: When Pigasso Met Mootise
We can think differently and there are other ways we are different too, what are those other ways?
Read: The Colors of Us by: Karen Katz
Read: Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by: Patty Lovell
Handout - My Personal Rainbow
Closing: In our feelings game, you saw that sometimes people can have the same or different feelings about the same situation. Wiggle your fingers if it is okay for people to have different feelings about the same thing.
- People can have different feelings about the same situation
- It is okay for people to have different feelings about the same things
- It is is okay for people to have differences
Why This Lesson Matters
In early childhood, students begin to recognize that people can feel and think different things about the same situation. This skill is an important part of social perspective-taking. Not assuming everyone feels as just as they do or as they would in a situation helps children build empathy. It is also important to start teaching the differences that everyone has and why these differences are so important in our lives. We can learn a lot from each other from these differences. It is also important to point out that we are thankful for these differences because it is what makes each one of us unique.
Learning Targets
Students will be able to:
- compare physical and emotional similarities and differences between two people
- demonstrate that people can have different feelings about the same situation
- When I say “Simon says do the same thing I do” then do the same thing
- When I say “simon says do something different than I do” then do something different
Today we are going to focus on how people can have the same or different feelings about the same situation and other ways people are different
Second Step Lesson Card 8 - Story and Discussion and Video - SS 1st grade DVD - Lesson 8
- The students watched a video about the first day of school and looked for clues about how the students were feeling about it. The students had different feelings about the first day of school.
SS Lesson Card 8 - Skill Practice: Go through whole class, with 4 volunteers at a time. Each pretends that something has happened and makes a face to show how they feel, everyone else will see if they have the same or different feelings. Examples: You are asked to hold a frog, You are asked to speak in front of the whole school at an assembly, A friend wants you to go on a big roller coaster, You are staying inside for recess, The field trip was cancelled because of bad weather.
Watched: When Pigasso Met Mootise
We can think differently and there are other ways we are different too, what are those other ways?
Read: The Colors of Us by: Karen Katz
- Does it really matter what color your skin is?
- Is it alright to tease someone about what someone looks like?
- What can you do if you get teased or you see teasing because of what someone looks like?
- Discuss harassment and discipline procedures
Read: Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by: Patty Lovell
- How did Molly Lou Melon feel about herself at the beginning of the story?
- What were some things that were unique about Molly Lou Melon? Have you ever felt different from other people? Do you think being different is good or bad?
- Who helped Molly Lou Melon believe in herself? What were some of the things Molly Lou Melon’s grand mother told her?
- Is the someone in your life who helps you believe in yourself? Why do you think Ronald Durkin was so mean to Molly Lou Melon? How do you think she felt about that? Do you think you would be able “stand tall” if someone was teasing you like that?
Handout - My Personal Rainbow
Closing: In our feelings game, you saw that sometimes people can have the same or different feelings about the same situation. Wiggle your fingers if it is okay for people to have different feelings about the same thing.
2nd Grade
Lesson Concepts
Why This Lesson Matters
As students develop their ability to have empathy, it is important that they learn to interpret others' feelings accurately. Students sometimes struggle to understand others' perspectives because they assume that others feel the same as they do. Perspective taking is a critical skill for working in groups, making friends, and successfully resolving interpersonal conflicts. This lesson continues to build students' perspective-taking ability through examining situations where people have different preferences about the same thing. Empathy helps students perceive and understand what others are feeling. It also motivates students to show compassion by using caring words and actions with others. This helps peers feel less isolated, provides emotional support to peers in difficult circumstances, and strengthens friendships. Students who are bullied can experience fewer difficulties if other students are compassionate and show support. Increasing students' ability to show compassion helps to create a caring and positive school climate.
Learning Targets
Students will be able to:
Raise your hand if you ALWAYS like to walk outside in the rain. How about SOMETIMES? NEVER? We aren’t all alike are we? Some of us always like to walk in the rain, but others only like to sometimes. We prefer to do things at different times, we have different preferences.
Play Human Bar Graphs
Second Step Lesson Card 8 - Story and Discussion
Raise your hands if the following things are true for you: you are in 2nd grade, hand an older brother or sister, like pizza, have a pet, have been on a plane.
We watched Stellaluna
Crayon Partners
Thumbprint drawing - no two thumbprints are alike - we are each unique in our own ways
- Having empathy helps you notice when others have different preferences that you do.
- When you have empathy for someone, you can show your care and concern by saying something kind or doing something to help.
- Showing care and concern is called showing compassion.
- Respecting different preferences helps you get along better with others.
- It is is okay for people to have differences.
Why This Lesson Matters
As students develop their ability to have empathy, it is important that they learn to interpret others' feelings accurately. Students sometimes struggle to understand others' perspectives because they assume that others feel the same as they do. Perspective taking is a critical skill for working in groups, making friends, and successfully resolving interpersonal conflicts. This lesson continues to build students' perspective-taking ability through examining situations where people have different preferences about the same thing. Empathy helps students perceive and understand what others are feeling. It also motivates students to show compassion by using caring words and actions with others. This helps peers feel less isolated, provides emotional support to peers in difficult circumstances, and strengthens friendships. Students who are bullied can experience fewer difficulties if other students are compassionate and show support. Increasing students' ability to show compassion helps to create a caring and positive school climate.
Learning Targets
Students will be able to:
- determine what others are feeling
- label their own preferences as the same as or different than others’ preferences
- identify ways to to show compassion for others
Raise your hand if you ALWAYS like to walk outside in the rain. How about SOMETIMES? NEVER? We aren’t all alike are we? Some of us always like to walk in the rain, but others only like to sometimes. We prefer to do things at different times, we have different preferences.
Play Human Bar Graphs
- Teacher draw an example of a bar graph with 3 bar heights
- Rule 1 - if you hear something you ALWAYS like to do - stand up or stay standing
- Rule 2 - if you hear something you SOMETIMES like to do, kneel or stay kneeling
- Rule 3 - if you hear something you NEVER like to do, squat or stay squatting
- Examples: Do you always, sometimes, or never like to _________? clean out your desk, go to recess, eat pizza, play soccer, read, sit in the sun, play outside, watch movies, clean your room, run
Second Step Lesson Card 8 - Story and Discussion
- The students looked at a picture of two students doing a science experiment that involved holding a worm. One student didn't mind holding it and the other student felt disgusted. We learned how we all have different preferences, there are other ways we are different too. We also learned how having empathy and understanding how others feel helps us get along better with them. Just because someone else feels differently about a situation doesn't mean it is a wrong feeling, it is just different.
Raise your hands if the following things are true for you: you are in 2nd grade, hand an older brother or sister, like pizza, have a pet, have been on a plane.
- What were some things we had in common, what were some things that were different?
We watched Stellaluna
- How was Stellaluna the same as her bird friends? How was she different?
- How were Stellaluna’s differences helpful to the birds?
- What did the birds teach Stellaluna? What did she teach them?
- How did Stellaluna try to fit in? Why did she try to fit in?
- Can you be friends with someone who is different than you?
- What would the world be like if we were all the same?
Crayon Partners
- Give each student a half of a crayon - they need to find their match
- Give students time to find things they have in common and ways they are different
- Possible Conversation Starters: favorite food, favorite TV show, number of siblings, favorite hobby, favorite sport
- Each pair gets a chance to share one thing they have in common
Thumbprint drawing - no two thumbprints are alike - we are each unique in our own ways
- students make a thumbprint on a small piece of paper and turn it into their own design based on their own uniqueness
3rd Grade
Lesson Concepts
Why This Lesson Matters
Practice in finding things they have in common with other students can help children develop empathy and avoid stereotyping that can fuel teasing and other forms of bullying. Teasing is a very common and hurtful form of bullying, and it is important for children to understand that it is wrong. Empathy helps students perceive and understand what others are feeling. This lesson focuses on putting empathy into action by showing compassion. One of the ways empathy makes a difference for students is by motivating them to use caring words and actions towards others. Students can channel their empathy into compassion to help peers feel less isolated, provide emotional support to peers in difficult circumstances, and strengthen friendships. Students who are bullied can experience fewer difficulties if other students are compassionate and show them support.
Learning Targets
Students will be able to:
Read: Exclamation Mark by: Amy Rosenthal
Second Step Lesson 8 Story and Discussion
Second Step Lesson 8 handout
Discuss what diversity means. Watch: Diversity is...
SS Lesson 9 Card - Story and Discussion
SS Lesson 9 Card - Skill Practice
Read: All the Colors We Are by: Katie Kissinger
We watched: The Crayon Box That Talked
Divide into 5 groups - each group works on making a crayon that lists all the things that make them unique
Read: There’s a Skunk in My Bunk by: Joseph McCann
Closing:
Today you learned about noticing similarities and accepting people’s differences. You also learned about showing compassion. Focusing your attention and listening help you notice when other people need your care and concern. You can show compassion by saying or doing something kind.
- Having empathy helps you understand and accept how others are the same as or different from you.
- Accepting and appreciating others' differences is respectful.
- Focusing attention on and listening to others can help you have empathy and show compassion.
- You can say kind words or do helpful things to show your compassion.
- It is is okay for people to have differences.
Why This Lesson Matters
Practice in finding things they have in common with other students can help children develop empathy and avoid stereotyping that can fuel teasing and other forms of bullying. Teasing is a very common and hurtful form of bullying, and it is important for children to understand that it is wrong. Empathy helps students perceive and understand what others are feeling. This lesson focuses on putting empathy into action by showing compassion. One of the ways empathy makes a difference for students is by motivating them to use caring words and actions towards others. Students can channel their empathy into compassion to help peers feel less isolated, provide emotional support to peers in difficult circumstances, and strengthen friendships. Students who are bullied can experience fewer difficulties if other students are compassionate and show them support.
Learning Targets
Students will be able to:
- name similarities and differences between two people
- predict how others will feel when teased for being different
- identify ways to show compassion for others
- express appreciation for another person’s concern
- Partners:You and your partner will learn ways you are alike (similar) and different. The space between you and your partner is your “common ground.” When you jump into it, it means you found “common ground.” I will read a question - you will give each other a “thumbs up” if you like it and a “thumbs down” if you don’t like. If you both have a thumbs up or thumbs down - jump towards each other and give a high five, if one has a thumbs up and the other has a thumbs down - both squat. Examples: Eating fish? Math? Building things? Reading? Going on field trips? Playing sports? Drinking orange juice? Listening to music?Cleaning?
Read: Exclamation Mark by: Amy Rosenthal
Second Step Lesson 8 Story and Discussion
- The students looked at a picture of two girls working on an art project. One girl is from Iran and she is new to the class. The students identified ways the two girls are the same and different. The students talked about how even though the girl from Iran looked and dressed differently she still has a lot in common as the other students. We talked about what it means to "not judge a book by it's cover." We also talked about how great it is to have difference because we can learn from others, for example in this picture the girl from Iran was teaching the other girl about her traditional designs she was drawing from Iran.
Second Step Lesson 8 handout
Discuss what diversity means. Watch: Diversity is...
SS Lesson 9 Card - Story and Discussion
- The students looked at a picture of two boys getting ready to go out to recess. One of the boys had crutches, he was feeling really sad because he broke his leg and he wants to play kickball at recess. The other boy notices this boy is feeling sad and has empathy for him and asks if he wants to stay in for recess to play something until his leg gets better.
SS Lesson 9 Card - Skill Practice
- Read scenarios - one person says how they would feel and the other says something to show compassion
- You fell off the jungle gym.
- You're being teased on the bus.
- You lost your new backpack.
- You're having a hard time with a math problem.
- You dropped your homework all over the hallway.
Read: All the Colors We Are by: Katie Kissinger
- Does it really matter what color your skin is?
- Is it alright to tease someone about what someone looks like?
- What can you do if you get teased or you see teasing because of what someone looks like?
- Discuss harassment and discipline procedures
We watched: The Crayon Box That Talked
Divide into 5 groups - each group works on making a crayon that lists all the things that make them unique
Read: There’s a Skunk in My Bunk by: Joseph McCann
Closing:
Today you learned about noticing similarities and accepting people’s differences. You also learned about showing compassion. Focusing your attention and listening help you notice when other people need your care and concern. You can show compassion by saying or doing something kind.
4th Grade
Lesson Concepts:
Why this lesson matters:
Recognizing people's feelings is a critical part of empathy. Elementary students may misinterpret how someone else is feeling because they assume they feel the same about something. Improving students' ability to recognize how others' feelings may be similar to or different from their own supports perspective-taking and empathy. Perspective taking is a critical skill for working in groups and successfully resolving interpersonal conflicts. When students fail to think about others' perspectives, they may make faulty assumptions instead. Some students automatically assume others have hostile intentions. Those who act on this assumption may act aggressively, increasing conflicts or even violence among students. Considering others' perspectives is an important part of empathy. Increasing students' empathy may make them less likely to bully others, because with empathy, they can imagine how a victim feels. Increased empathy may also decrease student support of others' bullying and make students more likely to help those are are mistreated. In general, empathic students have fewer conflicts and better relationships with peers.
Learning Targets:
Students will be able to:
Second Step Lesson 4 - Differences and similarities between two students.
You can see that even though Enrique and Maia are different in a lot of ways, they still have some similarities. Sometimes we decide we are different from other people only by how they look. Here you learned more about Maia and Enrique than just how they look. You found out what they like to do and how they feel. Knowing these things helped you get to know them better.
How can you find out more about other people - things you just can’t tell by looking at them?
Partners - Handout 4 (see below)
Second Step- Lesson 6 - When you feel or understand what someone else is feeling, you are considering that they may have a different perspective from yours. Two students have a sleepover, but they both have very different feelings about how it went.
Discuss what diversity means. Watch: Diversity is...
Green/Purple dots - Put green dots on half the students and purple dots on the other half. Give special privileges to all the students who have a green dot and no privileges to those who have a purple dot. Talk about how they feel about that and examples of how this happens sometimes in real life.
Watch - “Sneetches”
Read: The Skin I’m In by: Pat Thomas
Closure:
- People can have similar or different feelings about the same situation.
- Being able to notice and then understand others' feelings is an important part of empathy.
- Perspective taking is a central component of empathy.
Why this lesson matters:
Recognizing people's feelings is a critical part of empathy. Elementary students may misinterpret how someone else is feeling because they assume they feel the same about something. Improving students' ability to recognize how others' feelings may be similar to or different from their own supports perspective-taking and empathy. Perspective taking is a critical skill for working in groups and successfully resolving interpersonal conflicts. When students fail to think about others' perspectives, they may make faulty assumptions instead. Some students automatically assume others have hostile intentions. Those who act on this assumption may act aggressively, increasing conflicts or even violence among students. Considering others' perspectives is an important part of empathy. Increasing students' empathy may make them less likely to bully others, because with empathy, they can imagine how a victim feels. Increased empathy may also decrease student support of others' bullying and make students more likely to help those are are mistreated. In general, empathic students have fewer conflicts and better relationships with peers.
Learning Targets:
Students will be able to:
- identify clues that help them recognize other people’s feelings
- identify similarities and differences between how two people feel
- identify differing perspectives in given scenarios
- generate pro-social responses to scenarios in which different perspectives could cause a conflict
Second Step Lesson 4 - Differences and similarities between two students.
You can see that even though Enrique and Maia are different in a lot of ways, they still have some similarities. Sometimes we decide we are different from other people only by how they look. Here you learned more about Maia and Enrique than just how they look. You found out what they like to do and how they feel. Knowing these things helped you get to know them better.
How can you find out more about other people - things you just can’t tell by looking at them?
Partners - Handout 4 (see below)
Second Step- Lesson 6 - When you feel or understand what someone else is feeling, you are considering that they may have a different perspective from yours. Two students have a sleepover, but they both have very different feelings about how it went.
Discuss what diversity means. Watch: Diversity is...
Green/Purple dots - Put green dots on half the students and purple dots on the other half. Give special privileges to all the students who have a green dot and no privileges to those who have a purple dot. Talk about how they feel about that and examples of how this happens sometimes in real life.
Watch - “Sneetches”
- How did the Star-Belly Sneetches treat the Plain-Belly Sneetches? Why did they treat them this way? Was this fair? How do you think this made the Plain-Belly Sneetches feel?
- How do you think the Plain-Belly Sneetches felt when Sylvester McMonkey McBean offered to give them stars - for a small fee? Why do you think they felt this way? How did they feel after they showed their stars to the Star-Belly Sneetches?
- Why do you think it was so important to the Star-Belly Sneetches to have their stars removed by Mr. McBean’s contraption? Can you think of a real-life example of people who are like the Star-Belly Sneetches?
- What did it take for the Sneetches to finally realize it didn’t matter whether or not they had stars?
- How can students be like Sneetches? Can you think of some things you could do to help?
Read: The Skin I’m In by: Pat Thomas
- Does it really matter what color your skin is?
- Is it alright to tease someone about what someone looks like?
- What can you do if you get teased or you see teasing because of what someone looks like?
- Discuss harassment and discipline procedures
Closure:
- Today you explored similarities and differences in people’s feelings. What are some ways to notice how others feel?
- Being able to to notice and then understand others’ feelings, including feelings that are the same or different than yours, is an important part of empathy. How can having empathy help you here at school?
- When during your day here at school is important to have empathy?
- We also explored how people can have different perspectives about the same situation. Why is understanding that others may have a different point of view important?
- Can people perceive things differently and still be friends?
- Why is it important to respect different points of view when you work together at school, in groups, or with partners.
- It is important to look for the good inside others, rather than making judgments based on outward appearances.