Giving Compass' Take:

• In order to address the high statistics of bullying in schools, there are tactics teachers can use to introduce empathy into classrooms. 

• How does social-emotional learning and project-based learning encourage students to be more empathetic toward each other? 

• Read more about how to teach empathy in the classroom. 

Nearly one in three U.S. students say that they have been victims of bullying. Perhaps, then, it’s no surprise that researchers at the University of Michigan have observed a 40 percent drop in empathy among teens over the past three decades.

How can educators reverse this troubling trend? Cultivating–or restoring–empathy is one place to start. As a former elementary teacher, and in my current role supporting teachers, I’ve had the opportunity to observe how students learn–and educators teach–empathy. Here are four tips for educators looking to create more empathic classrooms.

Hold Class Meetings: Class meetings can take many forms. Some teachers choose to open the school year with a class meeting to discuss feelings and emotions, and how students can be empathetic in their interactions with one another.

Read About the World: In the classroom, reading has long been a powerful way to help students see situations from different perspectives. Read aloud sessions, such as “Those Shoes,” help students understand topics such as empathy, but teachers don’t always have to only turn to fictional stories for these lessons. News articles and other nonfiction about current events are also a great tool.

Make Use of SEL Videos and Activities: Reading should always be encouraged, but it’s no secret that most students love video. There’s something immensely helpful about actually seeing empathy play out and today’s teachers now have plenty of video options online to choose from.

Model Empathy Every Day: Teachers and other students can be role models who show students the importance of empathy in their interactions.

Read the full article about empathy in the classroom by Caitlin Warren at Getting Smart