Perspective-Taking
GRADES 3-5

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Learning Goal

Students will learn the meaning and value of taking another’s perspective.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lessons, students will be able to:

  • Identify what it means to take another person’s perspective
  • Practice taking another’s perspective
Learning Summary

Perspective-taking is the ability to understand another’s thoughts, feelings, and point of view. The skill of perspective-taking is a critical tool in building social awareness.

This lesson starts with a mindful moment in which students focus their attention on their breath as they trace a sideways 8. To introduce students to the concept of perspective-taking, you will start by showing students various optical illusion pictures in which it is clear there are multiple different perspectives at play. Students then listen to a couple of short stories and map out the various perspectives that characters may have experienced. The class discusses why it is important to view situations through various perspectives and end with reflecting in the journals.

computer icon Online Teaching Tips for Perspective-Taking

This lesson does not require any major modifications for online learning. Use the slide deck for the Perspective Pictures introduction.

Either have students print and fill in the Story Illustrations or use the slides for students to view and discuss as a class.

There are minimal modifications from the original lesson plan other than providing wait time for students to reflect on the discussion questions for each story read aloud. Students can either print and fill out their own story illustrations or you can use the slide deck to show the image through the video.

CASEL Competencies

Social awareness: The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, & contexts. This includes the capacities to feel compassion for others, understand broader historical and social norms for behavior in different settings, and recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.