Understanding Empathy through Narrative

Description of the activity:

Lesson 1: "Textual Exploration"

Opening Activity (10 minutes):

• Guided Discussion: Start with a brief discussion on the importance of empathy in interpersonal relationships.

  Concrete Example: Ask students to reflect on a situation where they felt understood and supported. Invite them to briefly share their experiences with the class.

  
  

Guided Reading (20 minutes):

• Reading Activity: Students read an excerpt from a literary text that presents situations of empathy, such as an excerpt from "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

• Guided Discussion (15 minutes):

• Class Discussion: Lead a discussion on the emotions evoked by the passage and the actions of the characters that demonstrate empathy.

Focus Group (15 minutes):

• Group Activity: Divide the class into small groups and assign each a theme related to empathy, such as bullying or social inclusion. Each group discusses personal experiences or observations related to their assigned theme and how characters understand each other.

  
  

TRACK 1

Lesson 2: "Creative Expression of Empathy"

Warm-Up Activity (10 minutes):

• Review: Review the discussions from the previous lesson and reflect on the topics covered.

  
  

Empathetic Writing Exercise (20 minutes):

• Writing Activity: Ask students to imagine being a character from a story who has just faced an emotional challenge. They write a letter to an imaginary friend expressing their emotions and desire to be understood, using the focus group discussions as inspiration.

  
  

Presentation and Discussion (20 minutes):

• Sharing Work: Each student has the opportunity to share their writing with the class. After each presentation, open a discussion on the ability to express empathy through writing.

  
  

Final Reflection (10 minutes):

• Collective Reflection: Conclude with a collective reflection on the lesson and the importance of understanding and expressing empathy in daily life.

Assessment:

• Criteria: Assessment will be based on active participation during discussions, the quality of creative writing, and positive interaction in focus groups.

Final Notes:

• Objective: These activities aim to promote empathy through literature and creative writing, encouraging students to understand and express empathy in their relationships and daily interactions. Forming focus groups provides an opportunity for deeper reflection on important themes, further consolidating their understanding and developing collaborative skills.

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TRACK 1 Practical Guide for Focus Group Organisation:

Preparation:

Identify Themes: Before the lesson, identify several empathy-related themes on which groups could focus. For example, bullying, social inclusion, friendship, cultural diversity, etc.

Assign Groups: Divide the class into groups of 4-5 students, making sure to have a variety of personalities and perspectives in each group.

Introduction:

Explain the Objective: At the beginning of the focus group, make it clear that the objective is to openly and respectfully discuss experiences and opinions on the assigned topic.

Respect and Confidentiality: Stress the importance of mutual respect and confidentiality of discussions within the group.

Discussion Initiation:

Guiding Questions: Provide some guiding questions to start the discussion and stimulate reflection on the assigned topics. For example:

• "What experiences have you had or observed regarding the assigned topic?"

• "How do you feel about these experiences?"

• "What are the challenges and opportunities related to this theme?"

• "What challenges do you encounter in trying to understand the experiences of others?"

• "What makes it easier for you to understand and support your classmates?"

• "What strategies do you think can help foster a more empathetic environment in our classroom?"

Moderator Role Rotation: Designate a moderator for each group, whose task is to guide the discussion and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to speak.

Facilitation of Discussion:

Promote Participation: Ensure that every member of the group has the opportunity to express their opinions and experiences. Invite the more reserved students to share their ideas.

Deepen Responses: Encourage participants to explain and elaborate on their answers, asking for clarifications and specific examples.

Time Management: Monitor time to ensure that the discussion remains focused and does not overextend on individual topics.

Synthesis and Conclusion:

Synthesis of Ideas: At the end of the discussion, ask each group to summarize the main ideas that emerged during the discussion. They can do this by designating a speaker or writing key points on a sheet of paper.

Conclusion: Make a brief collective reflection on the discussion and emphasize the importance of understanding different perspectives and practicing empathy in daily life.

Final Notes:

Make sure to create a safe and respectful environment during the focus group, where students feel free to express their opinions without fear of judgment. Discussions should be guided so that students can better understand the experiences of others and develop greater empathy.