Introduction
In social-emotional learning, one crucial skill for students to develop is the ability to understand different perspectives. When people have different thoughts and feelings about the same event, it’s essential to recognize that all problems with people have two sides: how you feel and how they feel. This blog post will provide educators with a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help elementary students practice thinking about other people’s side of the story and develop empathy.
No-Prep Activity: The Two-Sided Story
In this activity, the educator narrates a simple story involving two characters who have a disagreement. The students will then work in pairs to discuss each character’s perspective and feelings. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Choose a simple story with two characters having a disagreement or misunderstanding. For example, one character accidentally bumps into the other while walking down the hallway.
- Read the story aloud to the class, making sure to emphasize the different emotions and thoughts each character experiences.
- Have students pair up and discuss each character’s perspective: their version of the story, their thoughts, beliefs, and reasons for their actions.
- Ask each pair to share their insights with the class, highlighting the importance of understanding both sides of the story.
This activity encourages students to think about others’ thoughts and feelings, helping them understand the whole situation and not just their own beliefs about it.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to consider other people’s thoughts and feelings when we have disagreements?
- Can you think of a time when you had a disagreement with someone and later realized you didn’t fully understand their perspective? How did that make you feel?
- How can understanding someone else’s point of view help us solve problems more effectively?
- What are some strategies we can use to better understand other people’s perspectives in a disagreement?
- How can we show others that we care about their perspective and feelings?
Related Skills
Understanding different perspectives is just one aspect of social-emotional learning. Other relevant skills that educators can help students develop include:
- Active listening: Paying full attention to the speaker, asking clarifying questions, and providing feedback to ensure understanding.
- Empathy: The ability to feel and understand another person’s emotions and experiences.
- Conflict resolution: Effectively addressing disagreements and finding solutions that are fair for all involved parties.
- Effective communication: Expressing thoughts and feelings clearly and respectfully, both verbally and nonverbally.
Next Steps
Ready to explore more social-emotional learning skills and activities for your elementary students? Sign up for free samples of the discussed skill and others at Everyday Speech. With these resources, you can help your students develop crucial life skills that will benefit them in and out of the classroom.
