In this blog post, we will discuss an engaging and effective activity that helps students develop empathy and understanding towards others. This activity, called “Two Sides,” is designed for educators working with students in Special Education and incorporates principles of Social-Emotional Learning. By participating in this activity, students will learn the importance of considering other people’s feelings and how their actions can impact those around them.
No-Prep Activity: Two Sides
“Two Sides” is a simple and engaging activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator. The game involves watching video clips and discussing whether the main character in each clip was thinking about other people’s feelings or not. This activity helps students develop their empathy and understanding by encouraging them to put themselves in other people’s shoes and analyze the impact of their actions on others.
To play “Two Sides,” simply follow these steps:
- Select a series of video clips that depict different social situations involving the main character and other people.
- Play each video clip for the students, pausing at key moments to ask them whether the main character was considering other people’s feelings or not.
- Encourage students to discuss their thoughts and opinions, focusing on how the main character’s actions made others feel and why they think the character was or was not considering other people’s feelings.
- After each discussion, ask students how they could change the main character’s behavior to make others feel better or more comfortable.
Discussion Questions
To stimulate further discussions and deepen students’ understanding of empathy and the importance of considering others’ feelings, consider asking the following questions:
- Why is it important to think about how our actions might make others feel?
- Can you think of a time when someone’s actions made you feel upset or uncomfortable? How did you handle the situation?
- How can we practice putting ourselves in other people’s shoes and understanding their feelings?
- What are some ways we can show empathy and consideration for others in our everyday lives?
- How can understanding and considering other people’s feelings help us build better relationships?
Related Skills
In addition to empathy and understanding, there are other important skills that students can develop through Social-Emotional Learning. Some of these related skills include:
- Active listening
- Effective communication
- Conflict resolution
- Emotional regulation
- Cooperation and teamwork
Next Steps
If you’re interested in trying the “Two Sides” activity with your students and would like to explore more resources and activities that promote Social-Emotional Learning, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of the discussed skills and others. These materials are designed to help educators create engaging and effective learning experiences for their students, fostering the development of essential life skills.
