Donna Benard

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

The Power of Our Words: Jokes and Feelings

Students will be able to identify the difference between kind and hurtful language, understand the impact of words, and practice using empathetic communication.

Learning to use words responsibly and empathetically is a foundational social-emotional skill. This lesson helps students understand that words have power and that even 'jokes' can have serious impacts, promoting a safer and kinder classroom environment.

Audience

Pre-K Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, visual aids, and a role-playing activity.

Materials

The Emotion Explorer's Guide Slide Deck, Kind Words vs. Hurtful Words Worksheet, Chart paper or whiteboard, and Markers

Prep

Lesson Preparation

15 minutes

Review The Emotion Explorer's Guide Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
Print copies of the Kind Words vs. Hurtful Words Worksheet.
Prepare chart paper or a whiteboard for brainstorming.

Step 1

Introduction: What Are Feelings?

5 minutes

Begin with Slide 1: Welcome, Emotion Explorers! and ask students: 'What are feelings? How do we show them?'
Transition to Slide 2: Emotions: Messages from Our Bodies to explain that emotions are messages.

Step 2

Words Have Power

7 minutes

Display Slide 3: Expected vs. Unexpected Reactions and briefly discuss how our actions and words can have different effects.
Move to Slide 4: Words Have Power!. Explain that even when we don't mean to, our words can hurt feelings. Give a simple, non-violent example.

Step 3

Jokes Can Be Tricky

8 minutes

Present Slide 5: Jokes Can Be Tricky!. Discuss how jokes are meant to be fun, but some jokes can be confusing or scary.
Use Slide 6: How Do Others Feel? to introduce empathy. Ask students to think about how different words or jokes might make their friends feel.
Role-play a very simple scenario: one student says something a little teasing (e.g., 'Your tower is wobbly!'), and another student shows a sad face. Discuss how the words made the friend feel and what could be said instead.

Step 4

When to Speak Up

5 minutes

Show Slide 7: When Jokes Aren't Funny.... Emphasize that it's okay to tell someone if a joke makes them feel bad or worried.
Explain the importance of telling a grown-up if they hear something that worries them.

Step 5

Conclusion: Be a Kind Communicator

5 minutes

Conclude with Slide 8: Be a Kind Communicator!.
Distribute the Kind Words vs. Hurtful Words Worksheet for a brief, independent reflection or a group activity where students identify and color examples.

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Slide Deck

Welcome, Emotion Explorers!

What are feelings? What are emotions? How do we show them?

Welcome students and introduce the exciting journey we're about to embark on. Ask them what emotions are in their own words.

Emotions: Messages from Our Bodies

Feelings are like secret messages from inside you!
They tell you if you're happy, sad, or surprised.
Everyone has feelings, and they can change like the weather!

Explain that emotions are like messages our bodies send us. They tell us how we're feeling inside. We'll learn about different types of messages.

Expected vs. Unexpected Reactions

Sometimes our feelings help us act in ways people expect.
Other times, our feelings make us act in ways people DON'T expect. Why does this happen?

Introduce the idea of 'expected' and 'unexpected' reactions. Use simple examples like laughing at a funny joke (expected) versus laughing when someone is hurt (unexpected). Emphasize that sometimes our feelings can be big and we need to learn how to manage them.

Words Have Power!

Our words are super powerful.
They can make someone feel happy, sad, or even angry.
Even if we're just joking, our words can still hurt.
It's important to think before we speak!

Discuss how certain words or phrases can make others feel, even if we don't mean for them to. Give an example like, 'That's a silly drawing!' even if it wasn't meant to be mean, it could still hurt feelings.

Jokes Can Be Tricky!

Jokes are meant to be fun and make people laugh.
But some jokes can be confusing or even scary for others.
We need to make sure our jokes are kind and safe for everyone.

Explain that 'joking' about certain things can be confusing and scary for others. Give a very simple, age-appropriate example that avoids the specific topic of violence, such as 'joking that the sky is falling' might scare a friend.

How Do Others Feel?

It's important to think about how our words make other people feel.
Put yourself in their shoes! Would you like that joke?
Being a good friend means being thoughtful with our words.

Introduce the concept of empathy – understanding how others feel. Ask students to think about how they would feel if someone made a joke that worried them.

When Jokes Aren't Funny...

If a joke makes someone feel bad or scared, it's not a funny joke.
It's okay to say, 'Please don't say that,' or 'That makes me feel uncomfortable.'
And it's always good to tell a grown-up if you're worried about something someone said.

Reinforce that if a joke makes someone uncomfortable or scared, it's not a good joke, and it's okay to tell an adult. This empowers students to speak up.

Be a Kind Communicator!

Choose words that make others feel good.
Think about how your words impact others.
Speak up if something makes you feel worried or sad.
Let's all be kind and thoughtful with our words!

Summarize the key takeaways: choose kind words, think about feelings, and speak up if something worries you. End on a positive note about being good communicators.

Worksheet

Kind Words vs. Hurtful Words

Name: _________________________

Draw a happy face next to words that make people feel good.
Draw a sad face next to words that make people feel bad.

"You're my friend!"
"I don't like you!"
"Can I help you?"
"That's a silly drawing!"
"Let's play together!"
"I'm going to tell on you!"

Draw a picture of you using kind words with a friend.

Answer Key

Kind Words vs. Hurtful Words Answer Key

Here are the expected responses for the worksheet:

"You're my friend!"
Expected Answer: Happy Face 😊
Reasoning: This phrase expresses friendship and positive feelings, making others feel valued and happy.
"I don't like you!"
Expected Answer: Sad Face ☹️
Reasoning: This phrase is unkind and exclusionary, likely making someone feel hurt or sad.
"Can I help you?"
Expected Answer: Happy Face 😊
Reasoning: Offering help shows care and support, making the other person feel appreciated and relieved.
"That's a silly drawing!"
Expected Answer: Sad Face ☹️ (or potentially a confused face, depending on context, but generally negative for a young child)
Reasoning: While perhaps not meant to be mean, this can be perceived as critical or dismissive of someone's effort, potentially hurting their feelings. It's not a kind or encouraging comment.
"Let's play together!"
Expected Answer: Happy Face 😊
Reasoning: This is an inviting and inclusive phrase, promoting joy and friendship.
"I'm going to tell on you!"
Expected Answer: Sad Face ☹️
Reasoning: This phrase can be threatening or intimidating, causing fear or anxiety. While reporting serious issues to adults is important, this phrase often used in peer interactions creates a negative dynamic.

For the drawing activity, responses will vary. Look for illustrations where students depict positive interactions using kind language, such as sharing, helping, or complimenting each other.

Cool Down

Kindness Cool Down

What is one new thing you learned about your words today?

Write or draw one way you can use kind words tomorrow.