Middle schoolers develop an understanding of what empathy is and learn what they can do to show compassion to others with the help of articles and activities in a four-page packet. Learners develop PSAs to post around the school, engage in role-plays, and journal about actions that show empathy and those that do not.

Concepts

social-emotional learning, casel, empathy, compassion, kindness, self-awareness, conflict, conflict resolution

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Have class members brainstorm a list of age-appropriate TV shows they can view for the Acts of Kindness activity
• Either watch the TV show in class or, if assigning the activity as homework, provide an alternative for pupils who do not have TV access 

Classroom Considerations

• Requires access to computers with internet
• Art supplies needed include construction paper, colored pencils, markers, or computer graphics software

Pros

• The role play activity permits tweens to practice empathic behaviors
• Includes links to articles written for tweens

Cons

• None