Making Character Count!

Counselors Presentation
Grades 3-5
 Building Empathy
What is Empathy?
Be concerned for the
feelings of others.
We all like to give
pleasure and enjoyment
to others.
We all have different
points of view.
 Building Empathy
Put Yourself in Someone
Elses Shoes
It is important to try to
imagine how someone else
feels.
Give examples
 Different Responses -
Situation
Pam misses an easy word in the
spelling bee. Pam feels crushed and
humiliated. Im such a loser, she
thinks. Ill never compete in a
spelling bee again.
 Different Responses -
Situation
Leora misses an easy word in the spelling
bee. Leora is disappointed but not upset.
I can try again next year, she thinks.
And Ill practice more next time.
 React to Scenarios!
Different people can react differently to
the same event.
Thats why you cant always assume that
someone else feels exactly the way you
would feel.
For each scenario, write two different
ways that the character might feel and why.
 Scenario #1
An older kid grabs Jasons hat. How
might Jason feel?

Jasons feelings could vary depending on who the

older kid is, whether the older kid is friendly or
hostile, whether this is part of a pattern, or how
easily Jasons feelings are hurt.
 Scenario #2
Lee invites Chris to a kung fu movie.
How might Chris feel?

Chriss feelings could vary depending on how

Chris feels about kung fu movies, how Chris
feels about Lee, and what other prospects
Chris has that day.
 Empathy Story
When someone shows you empathy, you
feel understood and supported. The other
person knows and cares how you feel and
what you are experiencing.
Draw a picture and write about a time
someone showed empathy to you.
When you are finished, get together with a
partner, Share your work with each other.
 Feeling Words
Write a word to tell how you think each
person feels. What could you do or say to
show empathy to each of them?

1. At recess, some kids 2. Amy knows Karen likes

make fun of Fred for Michael because Karen wrote
being clumsy. Karen M. on her new
notebook.
Fred feels
Karen feels
____________________
_________________________
3. Jack studied hard 5. Jennys best friend is
for his math test, but he moving far away.
only got a score of 78.
Jenny feels
Jack feels
__________________________
________________

4. Yolanda lost her 6. Calvin accidentally spilled

purse. All her money grape juice on Alyssas white
was in it. sweater.
Yolanda feels Calvin feels
__________________ _______________________
 More Feeling Words
Activity
Happy Sad
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
Angry
Afraid
___________________
__________________
___________________ __________________
___________________ __________________
 Closing Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever lost a pet that you loved very
much. How did you feel?
2. What would you say to someone whose pet
had just been killed? What do you think would
be the best way to show you understand?
3. Why is it important to think carefully before
you say anything to a friend who is feeling very
sad?