Lesson Plan
A Kind Hello Lesson Plan
Students will learn two simple ways to welcome someone new and will create a personalized greeting card to practice kindness.
Building a welcoming classroom helps every child feel valued and included, reducing anxiety for new students and fostering empathy among peers.
Audience
3rd Grade Students
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Brief discussion followed by a creative greeting activity.
Materials
Kind Hello Slide Deck, - Kind Hello Greeting Templates, - Markers or Crayons, and - Stickers (Optional)
Prep
Teacher Preparation
5 minutes
- Review the Kind Hello Slide Deck
- Print one copy of the Kind Hello Greeting Templates for each student
- Gather markers or crayons and optional stickers
- Arrange student desks or carpet seating in a circle or semicircle
Step 1
Introduction
3 minutes
- Display the title slide on the Kind Hello Slide Deck
- Ask students to recall a time they were new or shy in a group
- Explain that today they’ll learn how to make someone feel welcome with a kind hello
Step 2
Discussion
4 minutes
- Show question slide on the Kind Hello Slide Deck
- Prompt: “What small actions help someone feel welcome?”
- Collect ideas (smiles, greetings, helping hands) and list them visibly
Step 3
Activity
6 minutes
- Hand out the Kind Hello Greeting Templates, markers/crayons, and stickers
- Instruct students to write or draw a friendly greeting to welcome a new classmate
- Encourage them to include their name and a warm message
Step 4
Closing
2 minutes
- Invite 2–3 students to share their greeting cards with the class
- Reinforce that any kind hello—big or small—helps someone feel safe and accepted
- Suggest displaying the cards on a “Welcome Wall” or saving for future new students
Slide Deck
A Kind Hello
Showing Kindness to Someone New
Welcome the students and introduce the lesson.
• Say: “Today we’re going to learn how to give a kind hello to someone new in our classroom.”
• Explain the importance of making everyone feel welcome.
Scenario
A new student arrives on their first day. They’re shy and don’t know anyone yet.
Read the scenario aloud and ask students to imagine themselves in that situation.
• Say: “Imagine a new student joins our class tomorrow. How might they feel?”
Discussion Time!
What small actions help someone feel welcome?
Display the question and encourage all students to share at least one idea.
• Ask: “What small actions help someone feel welcome and included?”
Examples of a Kind Hello
• Smile and wave.
• Introduce yourself.
• Offer a helping hand.
Review each example with the class.
• Smile and wave.
• Say your name and ask theirs.
• Offer to show them around or share supplies.
Your Kind Hello
Use your Kind Hello Greeting Templates to design a welcome card.
Explain the next activity.
• Say: “Now it’s your turn! Use the greeting templates to create a special card for a new classmate.”
• Hand out the Kind Hello Greeting Templates and art supplies.
Discussion
Kind Hello Discussion
Objective:
Students will explore how it feels to be new, identify small kind actions to welcome someone, and understand why those actions matter.
Discussion Guidelines
• Raise your hand before speaking.
• Listen respectfully to others’ ideas.
• Speak in a kind and clear voice.
• There are no wrong answers – share your honest thoughts!
1. How might a new student feel on their first day?
Think about times you were in a new place or meeting new friends.
Follow-Up Prompts:
- What words describe those feelings?
- Have you ever felt shy or nervous? What helped you feel better?
2. What small actions can we do to help someone feel welcome?
Consider things you can do right away—no big events needed!
Follow-Up Prompts:
- Which of these examples from the Kind Hello Slide Deck do you like best?
- Can you think of a new idea not on the slide?
3. Why is it important to welcome someone new?
How does your kindness affect our whole classroom community?
Follow-Up Prompts:
- What happens when someone feels included?
- How does kindness help you feel about school?
Reflection and Next Steps
Reflection Question: What one kind action will you practice this week to welcome someone?
When we finish talking, we’ll use your ideas to create a special card using the Kind Hello Greeting Templates. Be ready to design and share your own warm message!
Activity
Kind Hello Card Activity
Objective:
Students will create a personalized greeting card to welcome a new classmate.
Materials:
- Kind Hello Greeting Templates
- Markers or Crayons
- Stickers (Optional)
Instructions:
- Give each student one Kind Hello Greeting Templates.
- Ask students to think of a kind message (for example, “Welcome to our class!” or “I’m happy you’re here!”) and write it on their card.
- Encourage students to decorate their cards with drawings, colors, and stickers to make them cheerful and welcoming.
- Remind students to sign their name so the new classmate knows who made the card.
- When cards are complete, have students place them on the “Welcome Wall” or share them with a partner for peer feedback.
Time: 6 minutes
Extension & Differentiation:
- Early finishers can draw an extra picture or write a second positive note on the back of their card.
- Provide sentence starters (e.g., “Hello, I’m ___ and I hope you like ___”) for students who need writing support.
- Offer pre-cut shapes or stickers for students who need fine-motor assistance.
Worksheet
Kind Hello Greeting Templates
Use these outlines to design a welcome card for a new classmate. Decorate the inside, write a warm message, and sign your name!
Card Template 1
| |
| |
| Draw & Write |
| |
|_______________________________|
Decorate inside the box and write your message here:
Your Name: ____________________
Card Template 2
| |
| |
| Draw & Write |
| |
|_______________________________|
Decorate inside the box and write your message here:
Your Name: ____________________