Four Lessons on Compassion
Grades 3-5. The following lessons are adapted from: www.seedsofcompassion.org/why/
What does compassion look like?
Objectives: to demonstrate an understanding of the concept "compassion";
identify elements of compassion shown in various images; develop a vocabulary of words related to compassion.
Introduction: Select 5 to 8 images that show compassion in action, e. g., acts of kindness, helping others, reaching out to others. Guide the discussion about what they see and what the images have in common. Suggest that the word that describes what is happening in all the pictures is "compassion." Determine their pre-existing knowledge and to introduce them to a vocabulary of words related to compassion. Add definitions, e. g., understanding of how another person feels; caring about others; showing concern through kind thoughts, words and actions; helping and giving; listening and being patient; and responding to suffering.
Activity: Where do we see compassion in our school? What does it look like? Feel like? Sound like? Encourage students to describe acts of compassion in specific behavior terms, e. g., including others who are left out of their game on the playground, helping a hurt child, and making sure that a new student feels welcome. Give students time to think of examples of "what compassion looks like." Plan a way to share it with the class by acting it out, writing a poem, describing it in words, drawing a picture, or singing a song. Set aside space on the bulletin board. Ask students to identify examples of compassionate acts. Cut out pictures of compassionate acts they find in the newspaper or magazines. Make a bulletin board with three sections: What does compassion look like? [behaviors] What does compassion sound like? [words] What does compassion feel like? [emotions] Optional reading: The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes.
Why is compassion important?
Objectives: to understand that compassion is being able to recognize when someone is suffering and to respond to the suffering in sensitive ways that recognize the needs and feelings of the person suffering; understand that compassion begins with feeling empathy with how another is feeling; and recognize the lack of compassion.
Introduction: Read this quote from the 14th Dalai Lama: "I believe that this suffering is caused by ignorance, and that people inflict pain on others in pursuit of their own happiness or satisfaction."
Discussion: What does it mean to suffer? (Dictionary definition: To feel pain or distress. To experience loss, injury, harm, or punishment.) Do you agree with the quote from the Dalai Lama - that some people cause suffering in others because they are only thinking about themselves? Encourage students to describe situations in their community or school where people
might be suffering. List examples that students offer and have them discuss how people might be feeling in these examples. When we understand how another person feels, that is called having empathy. Compassion starts with empathy - the ability to know and understand how another person is feeling.
Activity: Read aloud this short story about a child who is bullied:
Marko is new at school - he just moved to the neighborhood with his mother, older sister and grandfather. He rides the bus every day and every day he is miserable. There are three boys who bully him at the bus stop, on the ride to school - even in the lunchroom. They make fun of his name, the way he talks, his skin color, his size, what he eats for lunch. The leader is named Harlan - who also pushes Marko and threatens to make him miss the bus. There are others - girls and boys who are bystanders - who don't do or say anything to help - in fact, they stay away. But they watch - and they see what is happening. Most days Marko stands alone and often feels like crying but he knows that would just make it worse. He feels ashamed so he hasn't told his parents or teachers. So, he goes to school every day - suffering with his head down - hoping that this might be the day that the other boys stay home; that this might be the day that he meets a new friend like his old best friend, Aaron.
Ask students to imagine what it might be like to be Marko. How do you think he is feeling? Help the students name the feelings that Marko might be having. Ask them to imagine what it might be like to be one of the bystanders. How do you think the other children who are watching might be feeling? Help the students name the feelings that the bystanders might be having. Talk about, and in a few sentences, describe what you think the bystanders might do that could help Marko feel differently. Have each group share their ideas of what might help Marko. (Include behaviors of the
bystanders, of possible adults, what Marko might do, as well as the behavior of the kids who are bullying.) Discuss how the suggestions are examples of showing compassion. In what ways do you think the environment might be suffering?
Activity: Have students find pictures online or in magazines and newspapers that show examples of the environment - or nature - in crisis, e. g., endangered animals, pollution, climate change, overcrowding, etc. Each group of students make a poster of four to six selected pictures. Under each, create a caption that says: "We can show compassion to our world by [specify action]." Fill in the action that would help address the environmental concern, e. g., under a picture of a polar bear, students might write "protecting our wildlife," or under a picture of a polluted stream, students might write "cleaning up our streams". Have each group share their posters and captions.
When is it a challenge to be compassionate?
Objectives: to understand that showing compassion sometimes takes courage and that forgiveness can help us to act with compassion when we have been wronged.
Introduction: Draw out stories from the children. Can you think of a time when someone was compassionate toward you? How did that feel? When have you been compassionate toward others? How did that make you feel?
You have given some good examples of compassion in action, but it sometimes is achallenge to act with compassion. Think about the story of Marko. Who didn't act with compassion? What are some reasons that it might have been hard for the bystanders to act with compassion and come to his defense? Bystanders were afraid that they might be bullied. They didn't know what to do, didn't feel safe, didn't know Marko, were embarrassed for him, and didn't think anything would change. What action could make the bystanders a "hero of compassion" for Marko? What do you think might happen if they all worked together against the bullying? What about Marko? What can he do? Let me read you the next part of the story:
One day Marko came to the bus stop as usual. He was early, it was raining hard, and he noticed that none of the boys who bullied him were at the bus stop. A few of the other kids were there - but no one said anything to him. Before long, he saw Harlan - one of the kids who bullied him - crossing the street. Just as Harlan stepped up on the curb, he tripped and fell - hitting his head on the sidewalk and spilling his books and papers into the wet road. Marko hesitated just a minute - not sure what to do or what he wanted to do. A car was heading right toward Harlan. Marko took a deep breath, rushed forward, put out his hand, and pulled Harlan out of the way. Then, as Harlan sat on the curb in pain, first Marko - and then the boys and girls who were bystanders - picked up Harlan's papers and books, handed them to him, and helped him to his feet. Harlan looked around the group as they clustered around Marko in silent support and protection. Marko stood tall, feeling like he finally had some new friends. He looked Harlan in the eyes, and . . . .
Discussion: Remember the definition of a hero. How do you think Marko was feeling? How did Marko show courage and compassion? Did the bystanders show courage or compassion? How do you think Harlan felt? What did the bystanders do that might have helped Marko act like a hero
of compassion? Could Marko's actions or the actions of the bystanders make a difference for how Harlan acts in the future? If Harlan changes his actions, do you think Harlan can forgive him? What could Harlan say or do so that Marko might forgive him? What do you think happened next?
Activity: Think about what happens next. Practice what you think Harlan might say to Marko that would show compassion and help Marko forgive him. Practice how Marko could respond with compassion and forgiveness.
Have students demonstrate their skill practice for the class as time allows.
How can you be a hero of compassion?
Objectives: to develop plans for compassionate action as part of a class project and demonstrate compassionate actions while implementing the plan.
Introduction: Think about what might help our school be a more compassionate place for everyone. What are some things we can we do? Create a chart labeled: "How to be a Hero of Compassion" and brainstorm ideas for what each can do to demonstrate compassion. List suggestions on the board or chart. Draw from this list as needed to spark imagination e. g., Practice simple acts of kindness - give a smile, say a kind word. Share what you have with others. Adopt a pet or do something to take care of animals in nature. Do your part to take care of the environment. Spend time with someone who is lonely. Take time to listen to someone who is sad. Be compassionate with yourself. Take time for reflection, practice deep breathing and think calming thoughts, to reduce your own anger.
Look for the good in others. Stop criticism and negative judgments. Spend time with compassionate people. We catch our attitudes from others. Look for compassion in actions and words around you. Observe how you and
others feel when compassion is present. Notice when compassion is lacking and make a small plan to practice it. Review the list. Which ideas do you think you could do?
Activity: Design a project to spread compassion in the school. Help students brainstorm possible ways that the entire class could work together on a compassion project, e.g., adopt a nursing home to visit - send pen-pal notes, or pictures, start a compassion club. Write a class pledge of compassion. All sign it and share it with the rest of the classes.
assembly. Develop an environmental project such as cleaning up the playground. Choose one collaborative project. Record the compassionate actions that will take place as a result of the project. Implement the plan and share your results!
