Unit Plan 25 (Grade 3 Counselor): Empathy, Inclusion, and Group Belonging

Focus: Help students notice when someone may feel excluded, ignored, embarrassed, or lonely. The counselor uses group-work and recess scenarios where students identify the feelings involved and brainstorm inclusive actions. Students practice inviting others, giving group roles, listening to quieter classmates, and using language that helps everyone feel respected.

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: School Counseling (Empathy • Inclusion • Group Belonging)

Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks, 30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This Grade 3 counseling lesson helps students understand that belonging is built through everyday words, actions, choices, and attitudes. Students learn to notice when a classmate may feel excluded, ignored, embarrassed, lonely, or unsure about joining. The counselor emphasizes that empathy means paying attention to how someone else may feel and choosing a respectful action that helps.

Students work through realistic Grade 3 scenarios from group work, recess, lunch, partner activities, and classroom projects. They practice inviting others, offering meaningful roles, listening to quieter classmates, sharing materials, taking turns, and using respectful language. The goal is for students to understand that strong groups make room for everyone to contribute in safe, kind, and respectful ways.

Essential Questions

• How can students tell when someone may feel excluded, ignored, embarrassed, or lonely?
• How can empathy help students choose inclusive actions?
• What words and actions help classmates feel safe, included, respected, and valued?
• How can group roles, listening, sharing, and turn-taking build group belonging?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify how a classmate may feel when they are excluded, ignored, embarrassed, lonely, or left without a role.
2. Choose inclusive actions that help classmates feel safe, included, respected, and valued.
3. Practice empathy by noticing feelings and responding with kindness, respect, and care.
4. Use group cooperation skills, including sharing materials, taking turns, listening to ideas, accepting roles, and helping the group succeed.
5. Practice respectful language for inviting others, offering roles, encouraging participation, and listening to quieter classmates.
6. (Optional Session) Apply empathy, inclusion, and group belonging skills through scenario sorting, role-play, or a group challenge.

Standards Alignment — Grade 3 (ASCA-based Custom)

• C:S1.3c — Contribute Positively to Classroom and School Belonging
  • Recognize how words, actions, choices, and attitudes can help classmates feel safe, included, respected, and valued.
  • Example: A student invites a classmate into a group project and makes sure everyone has a role.
• C:S3.3a — Show Empathy and Respect for Others
  • Recognize how others may feel and respond with kindness, respect, and care.
  • Example: A student notices a classmate looks left out and says, “Do you want to join our game?”
• C:S3.3b — Cooperate and Contribute in Groups
  • Work cooperatively by sharing materials, taking turns, listening to ideas, accepting roles, and helping the group succeed.
  • Example: A student agrees to be the recorder while another student reads the directions during a group activity.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can notice when someone may feel left out, ignored, embarrassed, or lonely.
• I can choose a kind action that helps someone feel included.
• I can invite others, offer roles, and listen to classmates’ ideas.
• I can help a group succeed by sharing, taking turns, and cooperating.
• I can use words and actions that help classmates feel respected and valued.