Objectives:• Students will reflect on their own character and identify ways they could improve it.• Students will understand that we have more in common than we may think. • Students will understand Empathy and use it to celebrate the group’s successes and support

the group’s struggles.

Materials:• Image: CharacterDare Image Set• Image: Empathy Definition• Supplies: Paper and writing utensil for each student• Video: Perspectacles (8:21)

CharacterDare (5-7 minutes):• Project Image: Previous CharacterDare.*

• Ask students to turn and talk to the person next to them or partner up and discuss the previous CharacterDare by answering the Truth or Dare prompt.

• Truth: “What do you think about our most recent Dare?” • Dare: “Reflect on your experience with our most recent Dare.”

• Using random cold calling or asking for volunteers, ask students to share their Truth or Dare reflections. Encourage when appropriate and take advantage of any teachable moments, especially when a student shares a struggle.

• Remind your students that it is not about being perfect or even completing each Dare; rather, it is about striving to improve our character by intentionally practicing.

• *Project Image: Current CharacterDare.*

• Introduce the current CharacterDare. Answer and clarify any questions about the Dare. Encourage students to modify the CharacterDare if it does not seem to specifically fit your school situation.

Introduction (3-5 minutes):• Ask, “What is Empathy? Why do you think it is important?”

• Ask, “Describe a time in your life when someone showed you Empathy or you showed someone else Empathy.”

• *Project Image: Empathy Definition.*

© CharacterStrong, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Do Not Distribute.

Grade 8, Lesson 17

Page 1

Empathy Lesson 1

• Ask, “The dictionary defines Empathy as ‘the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.’ What does that mean to you? What does it mean to understand someone’s feelings? What does it mean to share someone’s feelings?”

Activity - Perspectacles (15-20 minutes):• *Play Video: Perspectacles (8:21).*

• Have a class discussion using any or all of the following questions:• What did notice or think was important in the video?• What caused a transformation in the main character? Why?• What don’t we get to see everyday walking down the halls? What are some issues that

people at our school struggle with?

• Explain, “Take out a piece of paper and something to write with. Fold your paper in half and tear it carefully or cut it so you have two, even-sized pieces. Do not put your name or anything that would identify you on either piece of paper.”

• Explain, “On your first card, write one thing you are struggling with or frustrated about in your own life.”

• Teacher Note: Reiterate that this is anonymous, but that they should only share what they are comfortable with. If you’re comfortable, give a personal example - this really helps to give them permission to be honest and take this part seriously.

• Explain, “On your second card, write one thing that you have been or are currently really proud of or excited about.”

• Teacher Note: Again, personal examples help get them thinking.

• Collect the pieces of paper yourself. Shuffle them to make sure they remain anonymous. Find a place in the room to spread them out on the floor or the wall.

• Explain, “You will have a few minutes to walk around and take a tour of the cards here. It is our own version of Perspectacles. Please remain quiet while you walk around to show respect to your peers. Go ahead and stand up and start your tour.”

• Just before you bring them back to their seats, say, “Grab two papers near you that you connect with that ARE NOT your papers and find your seat.”

• Have a class discussion using any or all of the following questions:• Even without knowing who is attached to each card, how does reading the cards change

your perception of the class?• How many of you had something in common with one of the cards? How does this

activity connect to Empathy?

© CharacterStrong, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Do Not Distribute.

Grade 8, Lesson 17

Page 2

Empathy Lesson 1

• Do we need to know what people are struggling with to treat them with love? Do we need Perspectacles to exercise Kindness or practice Empathy?

Exit Intentionally (1 minute):• Say, “The author Leo Buscaglia once wrote, ‘Too often we underestimate the power of a

touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.’ How true that it is indeed! Go out today and do good for people!”

© CharacterStrong, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Do Not Distribute.

Grade 8, Lesson 17

Page 3

Empathy Lesson 1

Commitment

You’ve Got MailWrite a letter to your future self. Ask your friend, family member, or teacher to give you the letter in

3 to 6 months.In the letter, hold yourself accountable to goals and dreams by being specific with what you hope to be doing in a few months. Do you want to be able to run three miles instead of one? Do you have no idea how to build a website, but want to have your own blog? Tell yourself what you should be doing so that when you achieve it, you can feel a sense of accomplishment. Commitment

requires accountability.

Truth or Dare

Commitment

What do you think about the current Dare?

Reflect on your experience with

the previous Dare.

Commitment

The HobbytStart up a new hobby or activity that you were always afraid of trying and commit to learning

more about it for the next week.Make a step-by-step plan to learn and improve and maybe even find a friend to join you! Maybe it’s learning to play guitar or

beatboxing or glove knitting or facepainting or tapdancing...

Empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.