Skill: Recognizing Others' Feelings | Learning Goal: Understanding Others
Grades: 9-12 | Activity Type: Lesson | Purpose: 🟢 Core Instruction
Be Good People Curriculum © St. Croix River Education District
How Do People “Read” Each Other?
It’s a prized skill set in a lot of careers, so how do we get better at it? Body language, voice tone, etc. can send some pretty strong signals about what someone is feeling, but what if they’re deliberately trying to mask it?
On a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you relate? Why?
What connection(s) do you see between our topic and any of these values? Why?
Kyle’s younger sister, Zara, has been quieter than usual. She hasn’t been laughing at their usual jokes and seems distant. Kyle notices she’s spending more time alone in her room.
What do you notice or wonder about what’s going on with Zara?
What wisdom would you share with a younger person about why and how to pay attention to how others are feeling?
Picture this!
TIP: |
To be really good at reading people, you have to pay attention and watch out for “incongruities” — basically when things don’t match. Like if they say they’re “fine” but their voice and body language say otherwise, that’s a clue. If they look and sound happy but that doesn’t match the situation they’re in, tune into that. |
Do you think some people are more empathetic than others, better at tuning into the emotions of people around them?
If so, why do you think that’s the case? Is it how they were raised? Who they are friends with?
Do you think people are “stuck” with the level of empathy they have or do you think it’s possible to increase how much you’re able to tune into other people’s emotions?
If so, what ideas do you have for how this could happen to someone?
Marcus’s friend, Carmen, has been acting defensive lately, brushing off compliments and getting upset over small comments. Marcus isn’t sure why but suspects she might be feeling insecure.
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Given what you know, what emotions might Carmen be experiencing?
Irritated • Frustrated • Angry • Anxious • Peeved • Tense • Fuming
Disgusted • Pessimistic • Guilty • Sullen • Down • Glum • Disheartened
Jasmine sees that her friend, Luis, is pacing back and forth in the hallway before a big test. His hands are shaking, and he’s fidgeting with his pencil.
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Given what you know, what emotions might Luis be experiencing?
Nervous • Uneasy • Tense • Worried • Concerned • Apprehensive • Troubled
Excited • Happy • Energetic • Joyful • Upbeat • Cheerful • Lively • Exhilarated • Inspired • Optimistic
Deja sees that her teacher, Mr. Patel, seems unusually tense today. He’s snapping at students, and his voice sounds frustrated.
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Given what you know, what emotions might Mr. Patel be experiencing?
Then, ask yourself: ‘Is there any background information about Mr. Patel and what’s going on with him that might change my guess?’
Frustrated • Uneasy • Anxious • Tense • Worried • Concerned • Apprehensive • Troubled • Stressed
Maya notices her classmate, Aaron, is looking upset and distracted during a group project. He’s been snapping at others and seems withdrawn.
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Then, ask yourself: ‘Is there any background information about Aaron and what’s going on with him that might change my guess?’
Given what you know, what emotions might Aaron be experiencing?
Frustrated • Uneasy • Anxious • Tense • Worried • Concerned • Apprehensive • Troubled • Stressed
The skills and values that we discussed included: