Empathy and Kindness: Understanding One Another, Challenging Injustice, and Taking Action (Gr. 2-3) by Reading Intervention

Inquiry Questions

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

What does it mean to "see through someone else's eyes or walk in their shoes?
How can we tell how someone else might be feeling?
How can our words affect others? What are the different ways they can make them feel?
How can we be respectful of someone else's opinions if ours are different?
How can we make our words more helpful instead of more hurtful?
Can you think of a time someone's words hurt or helped you?

Inquiry Questions

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

What makes us each unique?
How would the world be if we were all exactly the same- if we ate the same, dressed the same, thought the same, did all the same things?
What is something new you learned from someone who was different from you?
What is something unique about you?
How do our differences make us a better class?

Inquiry Questions

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

What does it mean when someone's voice is not being heard? What do we mean by "hidden voices?"
Who might be left out or being treated unfairly?
Have you ever seen someone being treated unfairly? What happened?
What might be happening in a situation when it is time for us to stand up for someone or ourselves?
What can we do to make sure voices are heard?

Inquiry Questions

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

What does fairness and equity mean? What might it look like?
Does an act of kindness have to be big to make an impact?
What does it mean to take action?
What are some examples of kind things we can do?
How can you make a difference in your family? How can you make a difference in school? How can you make a difference in your community?
Think of a time when someone showed kindness to you. How did it make you feel?

Stand in My Shoes By Bob Sornson

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

Stand in My Shoes is a story told through the perspective of a girl named Emily, who learns what the word empathy means. After learning the meaning, she looks at those around her through a new lens and understands them and their choices on a deeper level.

I Am Human: A Book of Empathy (Digital Picture book) By Susan Verde

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This thoughtful story explores what it means to be human. It shows how humans have all different thoughts and emotions. This story teaches that we all make mistakes but we can use those to grow, learn, and overcome while encouraging empathy and kindness to ourselves and others.

Last Stop on Market Street

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

Last Stop on Market Street is a story about main character CJ and his grandmother. In the story, CJ questions why they are different from other people- why they don't have a car, or why they have to go to certain parts of town. CJ's grandma wisely explains to help CJ understand differences, be kind, and to appreciate all that they do have. This is a wonderful story for students to peak into the lives and perspective of others and think empathetically.

A Little Spot of Empathy by Diane Alter

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

A Little Spot of Empathy is a colorful story about understanding how someone else may be feeling and teaches students to see how we can notice those feelings based on expressions, body language, and what they are saying. This story teaches readers strong emotional vocabulary and empathy.

The Power of Empathy: Be the Friend You've Always Wanted to Be By Ruth Maille

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This book teaches readers how to lead with empathy and be the kind of friend they'd hope to have, and aspire to be. This book uses real life examples to show students what empathy looks like.

[VIDEO 1] A Little More Empathy

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This video is about empathy- what it is, why we should have it and what it looks like. This man gives a real life example at a time his classmates showed him empathy and the impact that it had on him.

[VIDEO 2] Ted X Respecting Differences Between People

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This is a TED X video of a girl named Mariana Chartier who explains that we must respect and understand each others differences. She talks about how we should not compare ourselves to others, but rather compliment each other. She explores different feelings and emotions, differences in culture that should be respected and celebrated and how to be kind.

[SUPPORTIVE TEXT 1] ReadWorks A Kindness is never wasted

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This short passage talks about a spat between a lion and a mouse. The mouse woke the lion and asked the lion to spare his life- and when the lion did he said that one day he would repay him for his generosity. The mouse ends up saving the lion after he had become trapped.

[SUPPORTIVE TEXT 2] Friendship Problems Solved!

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This article explores how students can have disagreements on things that can sometimes lead to arguments. This article shares different scenarios and how they should be handled.

Engagements

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

1. Using a blank picture page, students will choose a page or part of the story Last Stop on Market Street. Students will choose a character and fill in the thought bubble of how that character might be feeling on that page. Students will respond to the prompt "what made you think the character felt that way (facial expression, actions, something they said, etc.)

2. Book Reflection Journal- Students will choose a book to reflect on what they thought and felt about the story and write 1 thing they learned.

3. Opinion share- students will pick up a question card and each answer with their own opinions and practice agreeing or respectfully disagreeing.

What if We Were All the Same? By C.M Harris

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This story explores the question of what life would be like if we all look, acted, and thought the same. This story teaches readers to embrace our differences and see that they are what make us special.

Our Diversity Makes Us Stronger By Elizabeth Cole

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

In this book readers will learn about diversity as they follow along Nick and his fears of not being accepted. Along the way Nick learns that being different makes him unique!

The Day You Begin By Jacqueline Woodson

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This story shares stories of children who fear their differences and worry they will not fit in because of their appearance, backgrounds, cultures, languages, etc. As they begin to speak up, they recognize that everyone has something that sets them apart and makes them perfectly who they are.

All the Way to the Top By Annette Bay Pimentel

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This autobiographical picture book follows Jennifer Keelan- Chaffins heroic life as she never let her wheelchair slow her down. It details her life history as well as the history of the Disability Rights Movement

What I Like About Me! A Book Celebrating Differences By Allia Zobel Nolan

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This is a text that shows all different children- some who have glasses, some who have braces or some who have big feet. This book teaches young readers to see what makes us unique and witness children celebrate their own differences!

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin By Julia Finley Mosca (Digital Picturebook)

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This story is about Temple Grandin as a young girl who thought a little bit differently than most. After being diagnosed with Autism, Temple moved to a farm where she gained a deep connection to animals where she realized she shared many of the same feelings as them. She made it her life's mission to treat animals with great compassion and educate others about Autism.

[VIDEO 2] Respecting Others Opinions

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This video shows how students can respect others opinions and ideas. It stresses the importance of having our own opinions, and accepting that other people have their own. The video shows scenarios of students being respectful and kind when others have differing opinions.

[VIDEO 2] Kids Share Their Cultural Tradition

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This educational video shows different children sharing their cultural traditions at show and tell.

[SUPPORTIVE TEXT 1] Foods Across India

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This article shares the different cultures, languages and foods across India!

[SUPPORTIVE TEXT 2] ReadWorks-Appreciating Differences at School

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

In this article we are introduced to a boy named Reigner who loved eating alimasag, which is a kind of crab. When asked what is favorite animal was in front of his new classmates he quickly called out "alimasag!" but was not expecting the reaction he got.

Engagements

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

1. Students will sit in a circle and share their cultures, family traditions, or something that makes them unique.

2. Students will choose one story book to create a multimodal response poster using Canva. They can choose a response type of their choice.

3. Students will form into small groups and share their creative and artistic choices behind their multimedia posters.

Speak Up, Molly Lou Melon By Patty Lovell (Digital Picturebook)

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

In this book, main character Molly Lou Melon was taught to stand up for herself and others when someone was bullying them. When a bully starts teasing everyone, Molly knew just what she should do.

All Different Now By Angela Johnson (Digital Picture book)

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

In this book, a young girl experiences the first Juneteenth- the day that freedom finally came to the enslaved people in the South. It is told in a thoughtful and light way, showing the freedom wash over them.

Mae Among the Stars By Roda Ahmed

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

When main character Mae was a little girl she dreamed of being in space- she wanted to become an astronaut. With a little encouragement from her mother, and a lot of hard work, Mae became the first African American woman in space.

Malala's Magic Pencil By Malala Yousafzai

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

As a child in Pakistan Malala had wished for a magic pencil to make all of the struggles easier. As she got older she realized she would need it for something much bigger- fixing the world. Even if Malala never got her magic pencil, she would work to advocate for the world and the people within it.

Say Something By Peter H. Reynolds

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This book discusses the various ways saying something can make all the difference. With our words, actions, and choices we have the ability to change the world.

Hidden Figures By Margot Lee Shetterly

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

In this story, four black woman are overcoming gender and racial injustice at a time when this was heavily present. These four women use their incredible minds and great determination to challenge and knock down all barriers that had been set up to try and keep them down.

[VIDEO 1] PBS Kids Standing Up for Yourself and Others

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This educational video for early elementary students provides a clear understanding for students on knowing when and how to stand up for themselves and others. It features other students talking about literature they have read of people standing up for each other and gives examples of things they have seen and done in their own lives or could do.

[VIDEO 2] You Can be an Upstander

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This educational video for early elementary students discusses the ways that we can be an Upstander- someone who stands up for someone instead of just staying a bystander.

[SUPPORTIVE TEXT 1] ReadWorks Back Off!

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This article shows a girl named Ziainey who knew what it felt like to be bullied. She decided to stand up and do something about it. She wrote a letter to President Obama about anti-bullying efforts and to her suprise- he wrote back! She ends up creating an anti-bullying program at her school to end bullying!

[SUPPORTIVE TEXT 2] Cesar Chavez

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This text explores the history and perseverance of Cesar Chavez who was known for his fight of worker's rights.

Engagements

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

1. Perspective writing: Students choose a marginalized character and choose a scene from the book. They will write a journal entry as that character and what they might be feeling.

Voice tracking sticky note wall- Each student gets two sticky notes. They can choose a group whose voice is being heard or a group whose voice is not being heard in the 6 stories read. They will put them up on the board and we will discuss them as a group.
Using all 6 stories and supporting texts, students will create a digital collage of voices that were heard throughout our readings. Collages can include quotes, pictures, graphics, images, videos.

Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed By Emily Pearson (Digital Picture book)

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This picture book follows an ordinary girl named Mary who does one simple act of kindness which leads others to do the same. It all starts with an act as simple as picking blueberries for her neighbor.

Kindness is My Superpower By Alicia Ortego (Digital Picture book)

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This book shows main character Lucas learns how small acts of kindness can make all the difference. This read helps students to recognize their own mistakes, feel empathy and change their actions and behavior.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? By Carol Mcloud

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This story explains the power of filling our own and each others buckets with acts of self-love and kindness. Students will learn we have the power to fill or drain buckets with what we say and do.

Each Kindness By Jaqueline Woodson

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This story is about a young girl Maya, who is trying to play with Chloe and her friends. Chloe and her friends will not let Maya play with them which leads to Maya not coming to school anymore. After a lesson on kindness from her teacher, Chloe realizes that she may have ruined her chance at a friendship with Maya.

What Does it Mean to Be Kind By Rana DiOrio

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This story includes examples of kindness that are easy for kids to see and understand. This read will help students understand the why, how and what to kindness such as helping others and using kind words.

I Am One: A Book of Action By Susan Verde

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

This book shows more acts of kindness and the ripple effect of even just one small act- whether it be one kind word, step, or deed.

[VIDEO 1] A Song for Kids About Justice

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

In this video a woman sings a song about standing up for something that is right.

[VIDEO 2] Kid President: Kindness

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

In this video Kid President talks about how some people choose to complain, sit by and do nothing. He explains that we can choose not to do this but instead, choose kindness and change the world!

[SUPPORTIVE TEXT 1] Wonderopolis What is a Radom Act of Kindness?

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

In this post we learn what a random act of kindness is and some easy everyday examples we can do.

[SUPPORTIVE TEXT 2] Wonderopolis- How Can You Make Someone's Day?

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

In this post we learn how to make someones day

Engagements

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:40:33 UTC

1. Students will create a proposal of action (either written or digital) of how they would like to spread kindness, justice, and equity.

2. Students will meet in groups and present their proposals to one another and share peer feedback.

3.) Students will write a letter, create a short presentation/podcast or make a flyer about their proposal asking community members to join in.

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:42:35 UTC

In this subtopic we will explore how different people can feel different at different times. We will explore what empathy and kindness mean and why we should show both to others.

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 19:56:04 UTC

In this subtopic we will explore differences that we may have and how they make us uniquely ourselves. We will stop and consider how plain life would be if we were all exactly the same.

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 20:06:42 UTC

In this subtopic we will talk about the hidden voices of people who have been subject to injustice and define what it means to be "marginalized" and knowing when we should stand up for ourselves and those around us.

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-11 20:08:00 UTC

In this subtopic we will discuss and explore simple ways that we can take action in being, kind, fair, and equitable. We will meet characters who do the same.

Words Are Not for Hurting By Elizabeth Verdick

readingintervention129 — 2025-08-12 19:30:47 UTC

Words Are Not for Hurting is a story that teaches students that our words can either hurt people or help people. It encourages learners to take time to stop and think about their word choice before they speak, use kind language, and know how and when to apologize.