LORENZO RUIZ DE MANILA SCHOOL

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Grade School Division – Intermediate Level

GROUP DYNAMICS: PERSONAL-SOCIAL FOCUS

Developing an Empathetic Attitude

I. INTRODUCTION

Empathy is the ability to put yourself in the shoes of someone else and
understand what they are feeling or experiencing. In the early years of life,
young children are naturally ego-centric and are very much inclined to think
mostly about themselves and their immediate needs. They’re not yet ready
to consider the needs and feelings of others. But developing a sense of
empathy is an important developmental process for young children, and one
that can benefit them not only in childhood but well into adult life as well.

Objectives:

 Help them build a sense of security and stronger relationship with their
classmates, their life coach and teachers positioning them well for learning
 Encourage tolerance and acceptance of others
 Promote social harmony and hopefully reduce likelihood of bullying

Group Dynamics Duration:

30 minutes

Materials Needed:

Scotch Tape

II. PROCEDURE:

Activity Title: CROSS THE LINE

Introduction to the activity will be made before heading to the activity proper. The
students will be asked to remember experiences wherein they might have been
treated badly or unkindly.

Rules and agreements will be made before starting:

 The activity will be done in complete silence (no laughing or talking); we

can talk about it when it’s over.
  Some strong feelings might come up like sadness or anger. Remember, all
feelings are important. We need to be respectful and caring about one
another’s feelings so that everyone feels safe while we do this activity.

Ask everyone to move to the masking tape line on the floor facing in the same
direction behind it. The facilitator will call out an experience and if anyone has had
that experience, he/she will be asked to cross the line and turn around to face the
students on the other side of the line. If some do not feel comfortable crossing the
line, it’s okay. The student may stay right where they are and notice any feelings
they are having.”

For each experience you call out, people who have had that experience will cross
the line. They will then turn around to face the students who have not crossed the
line. When you tell the group that crossed the line to return, they will return to
their original places on the other side of the tape, so that the entire group is
standing together once more.

After each of the “cross the line” categories, you will:

1) Pause until the students who have crossed the line have turned to face the
other students;
2) Then you will say: “Now notice how it feels to cross the line and notice how it
feels to watch other people cross the line (pause.) Notice who is with you
(pause). Notice who is not with you (pause);”
3) Ask everyone to come back together behind the masking tape.
Statements:
1. I got picked at school
2. I am a leader in my school
3. I got suspended in my school
4. I was acknowledged by my teacher because of doing good at something
5. I have a learning difficulty in one of my subjects
6. I have a step parent
7. I have a good relationship with my siblings
8. I have judged a person before even getting to know him/her
9. Someone close to me has died
10. I have been put to shame in front of other people
11. I have been blamed for something I did not do
12. I was pushed to do something I really don’t want to do

Processing Questions:

What feelings did you have during this activity?

What was the hardest part for you?
What did you learn about yourself? About others? What do you want to
remember about what we’ve just experienced?
What, if anything, do you want to tell others about this experience?”

III. EXPECTED OUTPUT

After this activity, students are expected to be more understanding to their

classmates and friends. Also, they are expected to start a deeper relationship with
an understanding of their complex emotions, diverse perspectives, leveraging into
collaboration and progress.

Prepared by: Approved by:

Mrs. Maria Joy Angelica A. Roxas Mrs. Maria Teresa O. Chavez

GS/JHS Life Coach Academic Director