Empathy
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another
- This workout takes approximately 10 Minutes
- This workout is for students in Grades 6-8
- Teacher Resources
- Share
Move
Workout guide
Workout guide
Steps
1. Stand in NaliniKIDS posture
2. Raise your right knee up toward your chest and then lower your leg back down
3. Repeat on your left side
4. Continue marching, and then add your arms to the movement
5. Reach your arms up toward the ceiling, then pull your elbows down toward your lifted knee, twisting your upper body slightly (don’t twist your lower body!)
6. Keep your lower body marching as your upper body switches from side to side (coordination is key in this exercise!)
Sequence
– 10 second march (approx. 10 marches)
– 10 second march (add arms)
Modification
If you’re having trouble with coordination or maintaining proper posture:
– March in place without lifting your arms with your legs
How does your body feel after completing the workout?
How does your mind feel after completing the workout?
What does Empathy mean to you in this moment?
Choose from the additional reflection prompts below to customize this lesson and meet the needs of your students and your time constraints. Create a unique workout experience every time you return to this lesson!
Self-Connection
Past
Reflect on a time when you felt like someone really knew how you were feeling. What signs did they show that told you they understood?
Present
Empathy is a skill that people have to learn and practice. Why do you think that is?
Future
What strategies can you use in your future interactions to help someone understand how you are feeling?
Real-World Connection
Family
Whom in your family do you easily empathize with? What do you have in common with this person? What do you not have in common with this person?
Learning Environment
Practice empathy with a classmate. Take turns telling each other a story for two minutes. When you are the listener, try your best to make eye contact, not interrupt, and ask follow-up questions to show that you are listening.
Community
Describe a community that you empathize with, and explain why.
Academic Connection
ELA
Write a short story from the perspective of a fictional character in a book, tv show, or movie who is going through something emotional.
Social Studies
Choose a historical figure who you are currently studying, and practice historical empathy by imagining yourself as this person. What might this person have been feeling during this time in history?
STEM
How can you show empathy to someone when communicating through a text or email? Write a sample text or email that demonstrates this.
Fun Fact
Elephants, dolphins, whales, chimpanzees, and a handful of other animals may be able to feel empathy, based on a part of their brain that is similar to the human brain.