<p> Interpersonal Competence</p><p>Objective: Students will develop empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills.</p><p>Sixth Grade Option One  Introduce the skill and the steps.  Have groups of three to five take one of the steps and discuss what it means and how it could help them. Share whole group.</p><p>Option Two  Review the skill and steps.  Have student groups of three to five discuss what it means to have empathy. Share whole group after a few minutes. Guide their thinking as necessary.</p><p>Seventh Grade Option One  Introduce the skill and the steps.  Ask: “Have you ever heard the American Indian saying You can’t understand me unless you’ve walked a mile in my moccasins? Discuss that saying with your team members and how it relates to empathy.”  Give students time for discussion, then share a few comments whole group. </p><p>Option Two  Review the skills and steps.  Ask partners to think of a topic they have strong feelings about. Take turns speaking on the topic and practicing the first three steps.  Afterward, ask: “How did it feel to try these techniques?” Interpersonal Competence</p><p>1. Use “I” messages instead of “you” messages.</p><p>2. Listen to other people with empathy.</p><p>3. Encourage others to speak by saying things like “Tell me more” or “How do you feel about that?”</p><p>4. Be friendly and speak to a variety of people, not just your friends and age group. </p>