The Empathy Framework promotes three dimensions of students’ empathy development: emotions, thoughts, and actions. Through Framework-aligned activities and virtual exchanges, students practice empathy toward themselves, others, and communities that are different from their own.

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Connect with
YOURSELF

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Connect with
EACH OTHER

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Connect with
THE WORLD

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Classroom Activities

In-class lessons to build an empathetic classroom community

Gratitude Nature Walk

Inspire wonder and gratitude during a community nature walk

AGES 5-14/45 MIN ACTIVITY

Reset Now

Introduce ten simple strategies to help students build self-regulation skills

AGES 11-18/30 MIN ACTIVITY

Through My Eyes

Invite students to create and “try on” different glasses representing their peers’ unique perspectives

AGES 11-14/30 MIN ACTIVITY

Empathy Truth or Dare

Spark empathy and excitement with a game of truth or dare! Students will answer questions and complete challenges to foster meaningful connections and a more compassionate classroom community

GRADES K-12/15-30 MIN ACTIVITY

My Identity Iceberg

Lead a fun classroom activity that invites students to share about the visible and invisible aspects of their identity

GRADES 6-8/20 MIN ACTIVITY

My Identity Wheel

Encourage students to complete an identity wheel to share about themselves

GRADES 9-12/15-20 MIN ACTIVITY

Zone Check-In

Introduce simple strategies that support students' wellbeing and resiliency

AGES 8-14/30 MIN ACTIVITY

Friendship Bingo

Practice and reinforce friendship-building skills in your own class

AGES 5-10/20 MIN ACTIVITY

Mission Spread Kindness

Invite students to participate in a kindness challenge and spread compassion across your school!

AGES 5-14/60 MIN ACTIVITY

Guardians of the Earth

Invite students to create an art project that inspires environmental action for a local landmark

AGES 11-18/60 MIN ACTIVITY

Cultural Identity Tree

Engage students in an art project that depicts different parts of their identity!

AGES 8-14/45 MIN ACTIVITY

Daily Practices

Short activities to develop daily empathy habits

Three Kind Wishes

Use this video to engage students in a guided mindfulness exercise to feel more connected to others

AGES 5-10/10 MIN ACTIVITY

The Thanks I Didn't Say

Take a moment to say "thank you" to someone who has helped you

AGES 5-10/20 MIN ACTIVITY

Just Because I Am

Students respond to a prompt that challenges others’ assumptions about their identity

AGES 11-18/15 MIN ACTIVITY

Chat and Connect

Encourage meaningful discussions with prompts that help students explore different perspectives

AGES 11-18/10 MIN ACTIVITY

Unhelpful Thoughts

Reflect on "unhelpful thoughts" and counteract them with a positive self-affirmation

AGES 15-18/10 MIN ACTIVITY

Art for Perspective Taking

Students draw different perspectives from a past disagreement.

AGES 8-14/20 MIN ACTIVITY

Gratitude Journaling Prompts

Invite students to reflect on positive aspects of their lives and cultivate a sense of gratitude

AGES 11-18/10 MIN ACTIVITY

Developing Personal Resources

Students identify and draw "personal resources" that help them feel calm, strong, or joyful

AGES 5-10/10 MIN ACTIVITY

Grounding Like a Tree

A grounding exercise that cultivates feelings of peace and strength

AGES 5-10/10 MIN ACTIVITY

Videos

Watch these videos focused on empathy!

What is Empathy?

Watch this video to learn the definition of empathy, and how you can practice empathy

5 MIN ACTIVITY