Rationale: Understanding how someone else feels or what experiences that person has had can affect ho' relate to that person. Enlarging one's point of view to include how someone else might feel is one way to begin understanding another person.
Worksheet 96: Introduction to a Different Viewpoint
Students are to read several paragraphs about why individuals may have different viewpoints on a given topic, then fill in the blanks at the bottom of the page.
Answer Key:
1. time; 2. learn or experience; 3. why
Worksheet 97: Identifying Different Points of View
Students are to discuss possible reasons why individuals in the given situations may have formed different opinions.
Answer Key (answers may vary):
1. The first boy may live in Chicago; the second boy may have a father who likes to watch football.
2. The first boy appears to be studious and probably uses the encyclopedia a lot in his schoolwork; the girl may enjoy reading only for pleasure.
3. The first person may have worked very hard in the history class and gotten good grades; the second person may have put little effort into the class.
4. The girl may have heard that comment about blue-eyed cats; the woman obviously has an exception to that comment.
5. The girl may have a distaste for mushrooms because of the way they look; the boy has a taste for them.
Worksheet 98: What's the Basis for This Point of View?
Students are to identify the basis on which the characters on the worksheet have formed their opinions.
Answer Key (answers may vary—allow students to defend their choices):
1. a; 2. c; 3. a, b; 4. d; 5. b, c; 6. a, d; 7. d; 8. a
Skill 20: Understanding Another's Point of View