Empathy Awards www empathylab uk Empathy Lab UK

Empathy Awards www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

A creative approach to using books for empathy To select the book character that most demonstrates empathy A four to six month activity as part of Empathy Explorers culminating in Empathy Day Helps embed the skills developing through the Empathy Explorers programme Showcasing a wide range of books throughout the school Involving whole school and families Rooted in neuroscience research: identifying with book characters’ emotions makes us more empathetic www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

Empathy Awards Children discuss and vote for book characters with most empathy Celebrates great acts of empathy in stories www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK Literacy outcomes and whole school excitement Inspires children’s empathy

Literacy skills Reading comprehension - supports inference Writing forms - supports persuasive writing Speaking and listening - focused booktalk Reading for pleasure and wide reading www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

Pupil agency Whole school involvement Children initiating talking with families Children leading on the recommendations Understanding democratic processes Children taking on specific roles in the empathy awards process www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

How it works • Planning and Training – Nov to Dec • Explaining concept and initial reading – Jan to March • Deep peer discussions – Jan to April as the books are read • Characters nominated and a shortlist selected – end April • Persuasive character promotion around school – May • Voting for the character early June • Counting • Empathy Awards/winner announced–Empathy Day June • Social action June and for the following year www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

Resources to help you Option A: Character shows empathy Option B: Character that inspires empathy Introduction sheet (to be used with parents and governors – and newsletters Introduction sheet to be used with parents and governors and newsletters Empathy. Lab study pack to introduce empathy to teachers Assembly plan Class activity guidance Access to booklists Shortlist/voting form Shortlist/Voting form Vote for me posters to promote the characters Winner header Winner certificate (for school foyer) VIP invitation Empathy glasses template Winner press release template Reporter badge www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

Whole school training Train teachers – help them understand the concept of empathy, why stories develop empathy and discuss how immersion in book characters can help children develop empathy www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

Planning and launch Decide how you are going to run the awards and how the characters are going to be nominated Plan the empathy assembly Introduce concept to parents and governors Empathy Assembly to introduce the idea to children Class activity www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

Initial reading Involve children in purposeful reading - lots of different stories Link to Empathy Book. Spotters Decide whether you will pre-select books for each class to choose from or invite children to suggest ideas for books/characters www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

Deep discussion Encourage lots of book-talking to immerse children in reflecting on the characters Role model talking about empathetic story characters – see guidance slide Build vocabulary for feelings words Encourage children to argue for and against each character – putting different perspectives www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK Bruce Bogtrotter? Chloe? Wilbur?

Characters nominated and a shortlist selected Children nominate characters that show exceptional empathy Shortlist decided (6 -10 characters) www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

Persuasive character promotion Children champion their chosen character Groups or individuals represent each shortlisted character Develop arguments to show the character displayed empathy (drama, hotseating etc) Assemblies promoting each character with children arguing for the character Create persuasive publicity and presentations Library displays, school newsletter, Twitter, website, local newspaper… Children could make films about each character www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

Voting Whole school votes Votes counted www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

Empathy Day Award ceremony Red-carpet, whole school assembly Invited guests: community leaders, Governors, parents, authors Children compère, report, photograph, blog Children present arguments for shortlisted characters Winner announced Acceptance speeches (teacher could prepare in advance) Winner publicised: local media, school newsletters Let author/publisher/Empathy. Lab know Add the books to Empathy Book. Spotter www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK librarians,

Social action q Follow on from Empathy Day q Class discussion, involve parents q Children choose cause associated with winning character to support q Children decide to support a cause the character would fight for q School agrees a year of social action named after the character q Everyone pledges to do one thing in the spirit of the character www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

7 empathy book talking tips q When you talk to children about their reading, focus more on the feelings of the characters than the plot. q Name feelings as you talk about the book, and explain new words. q Have a genuine discussion with the child to understand together what is happening with the characters in the story. q Listening well is a great way to help children understand their own and other people’s feelings. q Reinforce what the child says, and build on it. q Keep the discussion within the story. q Help the child think about how to put empathy into action. www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK

7 tips to help children have immersive character experiences q Book talking focus on characters more than plot. q Use Empathy Glasses. . q Use props associated with specific characters. q Make it a fully sensory and physical. q Use drama techniques. q Encourage children to write letters/diaries as the character. q Help children research the context. www. empathylab. uk @Empathy. Lab. UK