About This Lesson
Created by valued Ashoka partner Better World Ed, these Empathy Learning Journeys help teachers seamlessly weave social emotional learning and global competence into everyday academics. They are experiential learning at its best – so real they have been called “almost addicting!” Visit http://www.betterworlded.org for more information.
The Learning Journeys come with three resources: (1) a wordless video, (2) accompanying written short stories, and (3) a lesson plan.
(1) Why a wordless video? Because when we walk down the street or walk into class, there is no voiceover telling us who other people are, what they're thinking, or what they're feeling. To learn, we have to wonder. We have to engage. Yet too often we make a judgment — about other people, cultures, and ways of life — instead of remaining curious about our feelings and about the other person. This judgment and prejudice starts by age 3, before most of us can even read.
(2) The accompanying short stories tell us more about the video protagonist’s family, backstory, and work. Each of these stories has multiple word problems that tie to SEL, math, reading, and written and verbal communication goals you have! The best part? Every story not only makes social and emotional learning real, relatable, and fun -- these stories help students see the "why" behind the math and literacy they're learning!
(3) The Lesson Plan describes ideas to help you engage your students, make an impact in their lives, and meet your academic goals. They’re all made with love and with educator guidance, they’re cross-disciplinary, and, they take learning beyond the classroom!
Want more resources on Social Emotional Learning?
Check out the Social and Emotional Learning Collection.
