-Compassion-
-Compassion-
Embedded Files
HOW TO USE THIS LESSON: The webpage below is intended to be projected for students to follow along. It includes basic instructions, definitions, etc. to guide students. Depending on your technology, you can have a student in charge of scrolling through the site, on your cues. Just have them try not to scroll past the thin purple dividers or thick colored banners until you are ready to start that next section!
You will also need to download and/or print this facilitator's guide. This document contains extra instructions, facilitator's notes, and other behind-the-scenes content necessary for the lesson.
Grade 11 - Compassion (25-30 minutes)Objective: You will build compassion through personal connection and inquiry.
Introduction
Introduction
Listen to the following prompt:
Empathy is about understanding others through their perspective; this often takes compassion. A compassionate individual has a desire to help others. Here's another way of looking at compassion: it's empathy plus action. Throughout your daily interactions, try putting yourself in another's shoes. Then think, "What can I do to help this person?"
Here are a few examples of what compassion looks like:
Smiling at a stranger
Giving someone the benefit of the doubt
Sending a "thinking of you" message to a friend going through a tough time
Simply being fully present with a friend
Countless scientific studies indicate that compassion doesn't merely help those who receive the compassion. Practicing compassion makes us happier and healthier. It strengthens relationships, creates communities and fosters peace.
Considering the following questions. You can briefly journal, share in small groups, or discuss it with your class.
Can you think of a time in which you felt compelled to help someone else?
What drove you to do something?
How did it make you feel?
Can someone be compassionate without being empathetic towards another person?
Main Activities
Main Activities
Learning Activity 1 - Defining Compassion and Altruism
Learning Activity 1 - Defining Compassion and Altruism
Create a definition of compassion, as a class.
Have you heard of the concept of altruism? Try and define it with the rest of the class.
Reflect on the following question:
Do most people do things for others without the need for recognition?
Think back to your first week of high school. We are going to brainstorm issues or fears that you had when you entered high school.
Engage with a discussion using the following questions:
Did you receive compassion during this experience?
What could others have done to help?
Do most people have compassion for others who are going through something if it doesn’t affect them personally?
Activity 2 - Putting Empathy into Action
Activity 2 - Putting Empathy into Action
Working in groups of 3-5, identify a dilemma or struggle someone might face in a setting provided by your instructor, and then discuss this dilemma through the lens of empathy, compassion, and altruism using the provided discussion questions.
What is the dilemma or struggle someone is facing?
What might they be feeling in this moment?
How could someone show empathy?
How could someone show compassion?
What would it look like to respond altruistically vs. not altruistically?
-Closing-
-Closing-
Each group is invited to share their scenario and discussion.
Extension Activity -
Extension Activity -
We challenge you to navigate the world with the same eyes you used during this activity, and come back in a week with 5 more examples of times you used empathy and put it into action using compassion.
You may journal about the experiences .
Remediation Activity
Remediation Activity
Journal on the following prompt.
Write about a time when you saw someone hurting or in need, but did not respond. How did you feel after? What prevented you from helping?
Write about a time when you acted with compassion to help someone in need. What did you do? How did you feel after? How did they seem to feel about it?
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