As educators, it’s essential to help students develop empathy and understanding of others’ feelings. One way to achieve this is through engaging activities that promote social-emotional learning. In this blog post, we will discuss an exciting game called “Two Sides” that encourages students to think about the feelings of those around them.
Introduction
Two Sides is a game designed to help students recognize and compare the impact of their behavior on others. By watching video clips, students analyze and discuss the actions of the main character and whether they considered the feelings of others. The game encourages students to put themselves in others’ shoes and reflect on how their actions can lead to positive or negative thoughts and emotions. This practice helps students develop empathy, understanding, and better communication skills.
No-Prep Activity
To play Two Sides, you do not need any special materials or preparation. Follow these simple steps:
- Divide the students into small groups.
- Select a video clip or scenario that presents a situation where the main character’s actions impact the feelings of others. You can use clips from movies, TV shows, or even create your own scenarios.
- Play the video clip or present the scenario to the students.
- Pause the video or discussion at specific points, indicated by an icon or signal, for students to discuss the main character’s actions and their impact on others’ feelings.
- Encourage students to think about how everyone in the situation feels and why. Ask them to consider whether the main character was thinking about others’ feelings or not.
By engaging in this activity, students will learn to better understand the importance of empathy and how their actions can affect others’ emotions.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions to stimulate further discussion among students during the Two Sides activity:
- What could the main character have done differently to show more empathy and understanding towards others in the situation?
- How do you think the main character’s actions made others feel? Why?
- Can you think of a time when you were in a similar situation? How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
- What are some strategies you can use to be more aware of others’ feelings and show empathy in your daily life?
- Why is it important to consider the feelings of others before acting or making decisions?
Related Skills
While playing Two Sides, students will also develop other essential social-emotional skills, such as:
- Active listening
- Conflict resolution
- Emotion regulation
- Nonverbal communication
- Problem-solving
These skills are crucial for building strong relationships, effective communication, and overall emotional well-being.
Next Steps
If you found the Two Sides activity helpful and would like to explore more social-emotional learning resources, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of related materials at Everyday Speech. These resources can significantly enhance your students’ understanding of empathy, communication, and emotional well-being, leading to more positive interactions and experiences in their daily lives.
