Transcript Empathy and Communication: giving and Getting Support

EMPATHY AND
COMMUNICATION: GIVING
AND GETTING SUPPORT
Part 1
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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This is a quote from an interview with an 8th grader.
Let’s watch the interview
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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One of the topics we’ve discussed in our lessons is
the importance of having empathy for others. Who
can remind us what empathy is?
How did this boy show empathy?
One way we can have empathy and respond
thoughtfully to the feelings and perspectives of
others is by being an ally. The word “ally” may be
familiar to you.
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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In this program, we refer to an ally as a person who
makes a conscious decision to support someone because
it is the right thing to do.
How was the boy in the interview an ally?
How did he know the other student?
To whom could you be an ally?
Today we are going to examine what it takes to be an
ally, when to be an ally, and how an ally can give
support.
We will also practice giving support and letting otehrs
know you need support.
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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Let’s listen to another example of being an ally. This
time, pay careful attention to what skills the girl in
this video used to be an ally.
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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The girl who was an ally in this story demonstrated
several skills of an effective ally. What is one
example of a skill that made her an effective ally?
Now with a partner think of three other skills an
effective ally would use.
 You
have 3 minutes
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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Sometimes you’ll be able to tell when people need
support or help. You may have seen or heard about
something bad that happened to someone. Or
someone might look upset.
Listen to this next story and think about how this boy
knew his friend needed help.
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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What are some clues that let this boy know that his friend
needed support or help?
Sometimes it’s the actual situation that lets you know that
someone needs an ally. What was the situation that let this
boy know his friend needed support?
Sometimes you can tell that people need support. But
sometimes it’s harder to tell. Some people don’t show
outwardly that they’re upset, or they don’t feel
comfortable asking for help. Sometimes just knowing about
a difficult situation can alert you to the fact that someone
might need support.
Can you think of a serious situation where you or someone
you know needed an ally, but might have looked okay on
the outside?
EMPATHY AND
COMMUNICATION: GIVING
AND GETTING SUPPORT
Part 2
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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In many situations, being an ally is the best way to
support a friend or classmate. But sometimes the
best support comes from an adult. As an ally, you
can help others recognize when an adult’s help is
needed.
Let’s watch one last story.
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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The girl’s situation was very serious. Someone’s
health and safety were in jeopardy. This is a good
example of when you need to get support from an
adult.
What are some other possible situations where an
adult would be the better choice for getting
support?
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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Knowing how to communicate that you or a friend
need help is very important. You need to be
assertive.
From last year you may remember that there are
three communication styles: assertive, aggressive,
and passive.
If you are being assertive, what do you do?
If you are being aggressive, what do you do?
If you are being passive, what do you do?
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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Tips for assertive communication
 Look
at the other person
 Keep your head up and shoulders back
 Use a calm voice
 Use respectful, clear language
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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Now, in pairs, you will practice using assertive
communication to give and get support.
Let’s watch a video of students showing how the skill
practice works.
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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First Student
 Read
the scenario to yourself
 Explain the problem clearly to your partner
 Ask for help or advice
 Write 3 things to say to an adult
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Second student
 Listen
carefully to the problem
 Offer help or advice
 Help the first student write 3 things to say
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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Now second student turn around, student one pick a
scenario
 Math
Grade
Your grade in math has dropped drastically in the last month. You
know you’re missing some assignments, but you’re not sure
which ones. You need to do something soon to bring up your
grade, but you’re afraid to talk to your teacher. Explain your
situation to a classmate and ask for help or advice.
 Stolen Backpack
On your way to lunch, you see a 6th grader’s backpack stolen by
an 8th grader you recognize. You feel sorry for the kid, but
you’re not sure what to do. Explain the situation to a friend at
your lunch table and ask for help or advice.
Empathy and Communication: Giving
and Getting Support
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Now first student turn around, student two pick a scenario
 The
Threat
Someone has threatened to beat you up. He says he’ll be waiting
for you after school. You know he’s likely to follow through with
this threat, and you’re really scared. Explain the situation to a
friend and ask for help or advice.
 The Test
You’re completely stressed out about a standardized test that’s
coming up in a few days. You feel like your school, your
parents, and your teachers are putting a lot of pressure on you
to do well. You’re really afraid you’ll panic on the day of the
test and your mind will go blank. Explain how you’re feeling to
a friend and ask for help or advice.