Empathy and Understanding

Overview

This 45-minute lesson is the fourth in a six-lesson unit titled "Understanding Refugees Through Literature" for Year 7 students. The primary focus is to deepen students’ empathy and understanding of refugees by engaging with literary narratives, particularly through the character Ahmet. The lesson integrates reading, discussion, reflective writing, and peer feedback, in alignment with the National Curriculum for England’s aims for English at Key Stage 3.

National Curriculum Links

Reading - Comprehension (KS3 English Programme of Study)

Develop an appreciation and love of reading, and read increasingly challenging material independently.
Develop understanding of figurative language, narrative techniques, and how these shape meaning within texts.
Identify and explore themes and conventions in texts.

Writing - Composition and Effect (KS3 English Programme of Study)

Plan, draft, edit and proof-read to produce well-structured writing.
Use a range of devices to build cohesion within and across paragraphs.
Write for a range of purposes and audiences, including adopting a specific viewpoint or voice.

Spoken Language (KS3 English Programme of Study)

Use spoken language to develop understanding through imagining and exploring ideas.
Articulate ideas clearly and confidently, and listen and respond appropriately to others.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Understand the role of empathy in reading and interpreting refugee narratives (Reading – Comprehension).
Identify and discuss examples of kindness and empathy from the text.
Write a letter from the perspective of Ahmet, demonstrating understanding and empathy (Writing – Composition).
Provide and receive constructive feedback through peer review, enhancing written work (Spoken Language & Writing).

Resources

Copies of the selected book/story featuring Ahmet (digital or print)
Writing materials (paper and pens or laptops/tablets)
Letter writing template (optional)
Empathy prompt questions handout
Peer review checklist

Lesson Structure

Starter (5 minutes)

Activity: Whole-class brief recap and grounding discussion

Use questioning to refresh memory of Ahmet’s story so far.
Pose the question: Why is it important to try to understand how others feel, especially refugees?
Highlight the lesson’s focus on empathy and kindness.

Purpose: Activate prior knowledge; set context and purpose.

Main Activities (35 minutes)

1. Exploring Empathy in the Text (10 minutes)

Read together two short excerpts from Ahmet’s story focusing on acts of kindness or moments where empathy is shown.
In pairs, students discuss: How does Ahmet feel? How do others around him show empathy?
Whole-class share of ideas, teacher noting key phrases or ideas.

Curriculum focus: Develop comprehension, infer meaning, and identify themes.

2. Letter Writing: Ahmet’s Perspective (20 minutes)

Introduction (5 mins): Explain the writing task—compose a letter as Ahmet to someone who showed him kindness. Emphasise adopting Ahmet’s voice and feelings.
Provide empathy prompts such as:
- How did I feel when someone helped me?
- Why is kindness important in difficult times?
- What do I hope to say to the person who helped me?
Students draft their letters individually.
Teacher circulates offering support, encouraging use of descriptive language and emotional expression.

Curriculum focus: Writing for purpose and audience, developing voice, emotional literacy.

3. Peer Review & Feedback (5 minutes)

Students pair up and exchange their letters.
Using a simple checklist (kindness of tone, clarity, voice, and grammar), students provide positive feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Quick whole-class reflection on how giving and receiving feedback felt.

Curriculum focus: Spoken interaction, collaborative learning, editing skills.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Invite 2-3 volunteers to read their letters aloud.
Discuss as a class: How does writing from Ahmet’s perspective help us understand and feel empathy for refugees?
Summarise the importance of empathy in literature and real life.

Assessment

Formative assessment through observation of pair discussions, quality of letter writing, and engagement during feedback.
Peer review checklist used to gauge understanding of empathetic communication.
Teacher notes on use of descriptive language and ability to adopt perspective.

Differentiation

Support: Provide sentence starters or a letter writing template for students who need more guidance.
Challenge: Encourage some students to expand their letters to include hopes for the future or reflections on broader themes of refuge and belonging.

Extension Ideas

Research real stories of young refugees and create a ‘Kindness Wall’ in the classroom.
Write a reply letter from the perspective of the person who helped Ahmet.
Drama activity: roleplay a conversation between Ahmet and the helper to explore feelings and responses more deeply.

This lesson harnesses literature not simply as a reading exercise, but as a powerful means to foster emotional intelligence and social awareness in young learners, meeting and surpassing the aims of the National Curriculum for England in English.

Teaching Instructions