Grade Level: 9-12

Content Area: Language Arts

Learning Objective(s)

To understand the importance of perspective and to write a story from the point of view of someone else.

Virtue/Character Trait:

Empathy

Lesson Title

Spend a Day in My Shoes: Exploring the Role of Perspective in Narrative

Lesson Summary:

Using the quote from To Kill A Mockingbird: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…”, students will explore the role of perspective in narrative. Students will use creative writing to prepare a narrative where they write a story from someone else’s perspective. This lesson can be used even if students have not read To Kill a Mockingbird by using the empathy quote as a springboard for the activity.

URL:

Grade Level: 9-12

Content Area: Language Arts

Learning Objective(s)

To become aware of the way demographics, family, and community influence people and how these influences affect the interpretation of the novel The House on Mango Street.

Virtue/Character Trait:

Empathy

Lesson Title

Turning onto Mango Street: A Pre-reading Activity

Lesson Summary:

Before reading the novel, students learn how various factors influence a person’s outlook. This is accomplished by interviewing a classmate to determine how that student’s  family, community, and demographics influence him or her. The interview consists of questions determined by the teacher and students are encouraged to list some of the responses on the board. This activity allows students to learn about their classmates and what has influenced them and teaches empathy of others during the interview phase.

URL:

http://www.grendel.org/hunter/portfolio/micro-teach.html

Grade Level: 9-12

Content Area: Social Studies

Learning Objective(s)

To develop empathy for the people involved in the Japanese American camp experience.

Virtue/Character Trait:

Empathy

Lesson Title

Journey to Topaz, A Literature Based Approach

Lesson Summary:

Students read Journey to Topaz and discuss what it is like to be one of the Japanese Americans sent to the camp during World War II. Students simulate life in the camp by taping off a 10 by 20 foot area in the room to denote the size of the huts. Students write their thoughts about the experience of the people in the camp as a way to develop empathy.

URL:

http://bss.sfsu.edu/internment/njahs1.html

Grade Level: 9-12

Content Area: Social Studies

Learning Objective(s)

To see war from the perspective of the people affected by it.

Virtue/Character Trait:

Empathy

Lesson Title

Imagining War

Lesson Summary:

Students will discuss what is meant by empathy the will view images of war. Students then gain knowledge of the affects of war through research, films, and guest speakers. Next students write a poem from the perspective of someone involved in war.

URL:

 http://www.col.k12.co.us/opp/lessonplans/markajluni-imaginewar.htm

Grade Level: 9-12

Content Area: Social Studies

Learning Objective(s)

Synthesize the understanding of the impact of civil war or conflict on the common person by developing empathy for the various decisions they have to make.

Virtue/Character Trait:

Empathy

Lesson Title

Civil Wars

Lesson Summary:

The country case studies provide the local perspectives of five fictional individuals from around the world at particularly critical times in their nation's history through their journals, letters, and speeches. Each Lesson Plan Case Study includes a fictional primary document based on extensive research, a multimedia slideshow, vocabulary and discussion questions, and resources for further study. At the conclusion of each account, your students will be faced with a decision to make about the character's immediate future. Your students will have to defend their decisions for these individuals based on their understanding of who the characters are in regards to their nation, religion, family, job, or some other aspect of their lives. Students gain empathy by understanding the effects of various civil wars in recent history from around the world.

URL:

http://gc2000.rutgers.edu/GC2000/MODULES/CIVIL_WAR/reorganizing.htm

Grade Level: 9-12

Content Area: Social Studies

Learning Objective(s)

To understand the physical and emotional effects of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Virtue/Character Trait:

Empathy

Lesson Title

Learning Empathy Through Art

Lesson Summary:

Students will research various aspects of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The students will view the painting From That Day On and reflect on the physical and emotional impact the bombing had the Japanese people. Students will also discuss how the U. S. helped Japan rebuild after World War II.

URL:

 http://www.blantonmuseum.org/elearning/aac/teacher/empathy/blanton_empathy.pdf