1) Stand in My Shoes, by Bob Sornson
Stand in My Shoes, by Bob Sornson, is THE BEST book on empathy for kids I have yet to come across. The story is told from the perspective of a young girl named Emily, who's just your average elementary aged kid with some innate ability to feel empathy, but definitely has room for growth. One day, she learns what empathy is and goes about her day at school and at home, trying to practice it.
The beauty of this story is in its simplicity. Generally, we become more aware of our empathy in highly emotional contexts; however, this book teaches children that there are tons of opportunities for empathy throughout an average day. And it can be as simple as noticing how someone is feeling. How validated and cared for do we feel when someone notices how we're feeling?
I love this book as a teacher because it's chock full of problem and solution which is a key component of teaching ELA. Emily uses empathy to solve a whole slew of problems throughout her day, from sticking up for her peers to helping someone in need. You can definitely get your ELA in while teaching Social Emotional Learning!
Though its reading level may be at 2nd/3rd grade, any elementary school level would benefit from a read aloud. The content is just so valuable. :)
Integrate Stand in My Shoes with ELA
Stand in My Shoes, by Bob Sornson
Guided Reading Level: N
Lexile: 650
Theme: Empathy, Kindness
Character Traits: The book shows how feeling empathy leads to taking action. In the end of the book, Emily says, "When I care enough to notice how others feel, something changes inside of me." I think this change is the development of her character. She takes on the opportunity to develop kindness, helpfulness, courage, and appreciation from the foundation of empathy.
Problem and Solution: We can explain to our kids that empathy is like a superpower that can help us solve all kinds of problems. This book is filled with page after page of Emily solving all kinds of problems throughout her day by using empathy.
Want ready made worksheets to go with the book? Check out my TeachersPayTeachers product here.
Narrative Devices:
Opening With Dialogue: This book starts off with a scenario many students would be able to relate with--having an argument with a sibling.
"Emily! This is the fourth time you've barged into my room. I am trying to study for a big test."
"I just wanted to talk to you," Emily whined.
Closing Using Full Circle: At the end of the day, Emily wants to talk to her sister again. This time, she knocks on her door before entering. She tells her sister about how feeling empathy affected her day. This also is where she tells her sister that when she cared enough to notice how others felt, something change inside of her.
**See related Common Core State Standards below.**
2) Free PowerPoint on WHY Empathy is important
Knowing why is often important to so many children. Here is a free PowerPoint I made in kid-friendly language on the importance of empathy and how it would benefit them!
3) Free Three Steps to Empathy Poster
Since empathy is both an innate and learned skill, it can help to break down this skill into three easy to remember steps. I went to a crisis training once, and I learned that when you're put on the spot, your brain can handle only three things. That's why Stop, Drop, and Roll was coined the way it was.
Here are three steps to empathy that your students WILL NOT forget because it uses the acronym UFO! :) My very talented mother-in-law, Melissa Stone, created the image of the cute, kind aliens. Click the image to download your free PDF poster.
4) Engaging Lesson Plans and Activities on Empathy
If you'd like more lessons and activities on empathy, check out my TeachersPayTeachers product. It includes:
A weeks worth of lesson plans on empathy
Related videos to engage your students
Companion Worksheets for Stand in My Shoes
Empathy reflections
16 skit cards
60 Feeling Words to promote emotional literacy
Dyslexie font to accommodate your students with dyslexia
5) Videos on Empathy
I integrate these videos into my lesson plans, but definitely check them out if you already haven't. Sesame Street's explanation of empathy is as clear as daylight for elementary aged kids, and of course fun too!. My 5th graders will tell you that they're too old for Sesame Street, but they loved this video.
Brene Brown explains empathy in a slightly more complex way, so it may go over some of your students' heads. Still, it's good to watch for our own understanding. If you do show your kids, let me know what they took away from it!
Common Core State Standards for Stand in My Shoes ELA Activities
Grade 1
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.3 Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.7 Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.5 With guidance and support from adults, focus on a topic, respond to questions and suggestions from peers, and add details to strengthen writing as needed.
Grade 2
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.3 Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.5 Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.
Grade 3
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.7 Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.3a Establish a situation and introduce a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.3b: Use dialogue and descriptions of actions, thoughts, and feelings to develop experiences and events or show the response of characters to situations.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.3d Provide a sense of closure.
Grade 4
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.2: Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.3: Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3a Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3b: Use dialogue and description to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3d Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events.
Grade 5
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2: Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3a: Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3b: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, description, and pacing, to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3e: Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events.
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