Lesson Plan
The Compassionate Classroom
In this lesson, students will discuss compassion, hear from a local nonprofit about their compassionate work in the community, and design a compassion sculpture made mostly out of recycled materials.
Grades:
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Learning Objectives
Students will be able to define the word "compassion" and discuss ways the class may live with more compassion for each other and in their community.
Introduction
(10 minutes)- Join students together in a circle, either seated or standing.
- Ask students to pair up with another person.
- Say, "Describe one person in your life to your partner who you know to be caring and understanding of others. What do they do that shows they care?"
- Give students 2–3 minutes to share their answers with partners.
- Ask, "Who would like to share with the class the characteristics of someone who is caring and compassionate?"
- Ask, "What is compassion?"
- Write "compassion" on the board.
- Write the students' definition for compassion on the board. Build on their answers and be sure to include "concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others" in the definition.