Title: Exploring Empathy and Self-Reflection through “There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom”
Grade Level: 6th Grade
Introduction: - Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever felt misunderstood or out of place. Discuss their experiences briefly. - Introduce the book “There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom” by Louis Sachar, explaining that it explores themes of empathy, self-reflection, and personal growth. - Share the book cover and read the blurb to generate interest among students. - Explain that throughout the lesson, students will engage in discussions, activities, and assessments to deepen their understanding of the book’s themes.
Lesson Outline: 1. Pre-Reading Activity: Building Empathy a. Show a short video clip (e.g., “The Power of Empathy” by RSA Shorts) to introduce the concept of empathy. b. Engage students in a class discussion about empathy, its importance, and how it can positively impact relationships. c. Distribute a worksheet with scenarios that require empathetic responses. Students work individually or in pairs to brainstorm empathetic solutions.
- Reading and Questioning:
a. Assign chapters 1-3 of “There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom” as homework.
b. Begin the class by reviewing the assigned chapters and asking students to share their initial thoughts and reactions.
c. Facilitate a guided discussion using open-ended questions:
- How does Bradley’s behavior affect his relationships with others?
- Can you relate to any of the characters’ experiences? How?
- What do you think might be the underlying reasons for Bradley’s behavior?
- How do you think Bradley’s behavior impacts his self-esteem?
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Assessment: Character Analysis a. Provide a character analysis worksheet for students to complete individually or in pairs. b. Instruct students to choose one character from the book and analyze their personality traits, motivations, and changes throughout the story. c. Encourage students to support their analysis with evidence from the text.
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Differentiation: Role-Play Activity a. Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a specific scene from the book. b. Instruct students to create a short role-play based on the scene, focusing on empathy and understanding. c. Encourage students to think about the characters’ perspectives and emotions while developing their role-play.
- Plenary: Reflection and Discussion
a. Ask students to reflect on their learning journey throughout the lesson.
b. Facilitate a class discussion using the following prompts:
- How has your understanding of empathy and self-reflection evolved?
- What lessons can we learn from Bradley’s experiences?
- How can we apply empathy and self-reflection in our own lives? c. Conclude the lesson by emphasizing the importance of empathy and self-reflection in building positive relationships and personal growth.
Resources: 1. Video: “The Power of Empathy” by RSA Shorts - [Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw] 2. Worksheet: Empathy Scenarios - [Link: Insert link to a relevant worksheet] 3. Worksheet: Character Analysis - [Link: Insert link to a relevant worksheet]
Note: The worksheet links provided above are placeholders. Please find or create appropriate worksheets that align with the lesson objectives and content.