Simple Story About Empathy & SEL Lesson for Elementary Students

There’s a popular inspirational story on my blog with a simple but very powerful life lesson. It’s about love, presence, and the kind of quiet moment that stays with you long after it’s over. Even though it’s fictional, the message feels real and makes you stop, reflect, and see the world a little differently.

Reading it again reminded me how powerful storytelling can be in the classroom. When kids hear about a character’s challenges, it helps them connect feelings with words, practice empathy, and see the world through someone else’s eyes.

Not wanting to miss an opportunity for a meaningful SEL lesson for elementary kids, I’m sharing a warm and simple story I made up for you to use in your classroom.

Mia’s Invisible Backpack is a relatable piece that prompts a lively discussion about big feelings and empathy. I’ve provided a ready-to-use SEL lesson plan with questions and activities for teaching empathy to build emotional literacy in your classroom.

Story: Mia’s Invisible Backpack

Mia wore a big smile as she walked into her classroom each morning. She happily waved at her friends, helped unstack the chairs, and always said “good morning” to her teacher, Mr. Lee.

But no one saw the invisible backpack Mia carried. There were things inside she didn’t talk about, like how her dog had run away last week, how her mom had been crying a lot lately, and how she missed her grandma, who used to bake cookies with her every Sunday. The backpack felt heavy. Her shoulders slumped sometimes, her tummy felt tight, and some days it made her tired before the first bell even rang.

One morning, Mr. Lee noticed Mia staring out the window during circle time. He walked over and whispered, “You seem a little far away today. Want to talk about it?” Mia nodded slowly.

They sat together in the reading corner during lunch when no one was around. Mia didn’t say much at first, but Mr. Lee was patient and just stayed beside her quietly. The cushions were soft and cosy, and she liked her teacher. She felt safe and brave enough to let her guard down.

Finally, she whispered, “I have lots of things that make me feel worried and sad.” Mr. Lee smiled gently. “We all have an invisible backpack that carries stuff that bothers us. Sometimes it can get heavy, but you don’t have to carry yours alone.”

Mia didn’t feel like everything was fixed. But she felt lighter. Like someone had helped her unzip the backpack and take out a few things. The next day, she brought Mr. Lee a drawing. It was a backpack with a heart on it. Inside, she’d written: “Thank you for seeing mine.”

Why Stories Work for Teaching Empathy

Teachers often ask, “How can you teach empathy?” The truth is, you don’t always have to spell it out. Sometimes, the best way to teach it is by sharing a story that children can connect with.

Mia’s Invisible Backpack is a gentle example of empathy in the classroom. When kids hear about Mia and the weight she’s carrying, they begin to understand that everyone has worries and feelings we can’t always see. It’s a simple, powerful way of teaching empathy to students by showing, not telling, what it looks like to notice, listen, and care.

And it’s not just about feelings. It’s about impact. Research shows that social-emotional learning activities like this can improve the classroom climate, reduce behavior issues, and even support academic growth. SEL lessons for elementary kids build friendship skills, resilience, and kindness, tools they’ll carry far beyond the school year.

Helping Kids Unpack Their Feelings

The discussion questions below help students explore the emotional message of Mia’s Invisible Backpack. Once they’ve had time to reflect and share, the backpack craft becomes a way to express those thoughts in a personal, creative format. It gives kids a chance to “unpack” their own invisible backpacks and recognize the support they have around them.

The combination of storytelling, conversation, and hands-on creativity helps build emotional literacy in a way that’s both meaningful and memorable.

Reflection Prompts

After reading Mia’s Invisible Backpack, ask your class to pause and share. These reflection questions encourage students to think about the story and connect it to their own lives:

Prompts like these give kids the language to talk about big feelings, while also practicing listening to one another.

Design Your Backpack SEL Activity

Looking for activities for teaching empathy that are easy to set up? This one connects perfectly with the story and encourages students to express their feelings and show empathy for others.

Backpack Craft Instructions:

This SEL lesson plan can be used during morning meetings, SEL blocks, or even art class. It’s simple but powerful, and it gives kids a concrete way to think about empathy.

Examples of Empathy in the Classroom

When you guide students through this story and activity, you’ll notice little moments of empathy begin to surface:

These may feel like small steps, but they add up. Acknowledging these examples of empathy in the classroom as they occur can help cement the concept. Ask students to notice when someone’s modeling patience, listening, and kindness (including you). These reminders help make the behavior normal and expected.

Extending the Lesson

If you’d like to expand this idea, here are a few ways to keep building on it:

Teaching empathy isn’t a one-time lesson. It’s something that needs to be woven into everyday moments and stories like Mia’s Invisible Backpack gives us a powerful starting point. They remind students that everyone carries feelings we can’t always see, and that kindness and listening can make someone’s load a little lighter.

Try this story and activity with your students, and see how it opens up conversations about emotions, making friends, and supporting others. It’s a simple SEL lesson for elementary grades, but it can spark a big shift in how children see and care for one another.

More SEL Activities to Explore

If you’re loving how Mia’s story unpacks those hidden feelings, let’s keep the empathy momentum going! These classroom-ready resources help students build emotional vocabulary, practice perspective-taking, and strengthen kindness in everyday interactions.

Perspective Taking Empathy Lesson & Craft (2nd-4th)

Help students step into someone else’s shoes with engaging scenarios, discussion prompts, and a hands-on empathy craft.

Empathy & Compassion Word Searches (1st-3rd)

A quick, calming fast-finisher that reinforces empathy and compassion vocabulary. Differentiated versions are the perfect brain break, SEL center activity, or thoughtful add-on to Mia’s Invisible Backpack story.

Understanding Emotions Workbook (K-1st)

Support emotional regulation with literacy-based activities that help students identify triggers and build self-awareness.