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Architects of Kindness

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Lesson Plan

Architects of Kindness Lesson Plan

Students will define kindness in the context of their school community, identify specific actions and words that contribute to a positive environment, and collaboratively design a visual 'kindness blueprint' to represent shared values.

Fostering kindness and positive relationships is crucial for a healthy learning environment. This lesson empowers students to actively shape their school community, promoting empathy, respect, and social-emotional growth.

Audience

3rd-8th Grade Students

Time

60-75 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, collaborative activity, and creative project-based learning.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Architects of Kindness Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
    - Print copies of the Kindness Blueprint Activity Sheet (one per small group).
    - Gather chart paper or large drawing paper, markers, colored pencils, or crayons for the project.
    - Ensure projector or whiteboard is ready for displaying the slide deck.

Step 1

Warm-Up: What Builds a Great Community?

10 minutes

  • Begin with a quick Warm-Up: Community Foundations activity.
    - Ask students: "What does a really great community feel like? What makes it strong and welcoming?"
    - Facilitate a brief class discussion, noting key ideas on the board.

Step 2

Introduction: Architects of Kindness (Slides 1-3)

10 minutes

  • Use the Architects of Kindness Slide Deck to introduce the concept of being an "architect of kindness."
    - Explain that just as architects design buildings, we can design our school community with kindness.
    - Show slides that define kindness and its impact.

Step 3

Discussion: Our Kindness Blueprints

15 minutes

  • Engage students in a Kindness Discussion Prompts activity.
    - Divide students into small groups.
    - Provide each group with a set of discussion prompts related to kindness in school.
    - After group discussions, bring the class back together to share key takeaways.

Step 4

Activity: Designing Our Kindness Blueprint

20 minutes

  • Introduce the Kindness Blueprint Activity Sheet.
    - Explain that each group will create a "kindness blueprint" for their classroom or school.
    - Students will brainstorm specific actions and words that contribute to a kind environment.
    - Provide chart paper and art supplies for groups to visually represent their blueprints. Encourage creativity!

Step 5

Project: Presenting Our Blueprints

15 minutes

  • Have each group present their Kindness Community Project Guide to the class.
    - Encourage questions and positive feedback from peers.
    - Discuss common themes and unique ideas among the blueprints.
    - Consider displaying the blueprints in the classroom or a common school area.

Step 6

Cool-Down: My Kindness Pledge

5 minutes

  • Conclude with the Cool Down: Kindness Pledge activity.
    - Students will reflect on one personal action they can take to be an architect of kindness in their daily lives.
    - They will write their pledge on an index card or a small piece of paper.
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Slide Deck

Architects of Kindness

Building Our School Community Together!

Welcome students and introduce the engaging title. Ask them what they think an "architect" does.

What's an Architect of Kindness?

An architect designs and plans buildings.
As architects of kindness, we design and plan how to make our school a kinder, more welcoming place for everyone!

Explain that just like architects design buildings, we can design our community to be kind. Ask students: "What does a strong, happy community need?"

Why Does Kindness Matter?

Kindness makes us feel safe, happy, and included.
It helps us learn better and be better friends.
Every act of kindness builds a stronger, more positive school!

Ask students for examples of kindness they've seen or experienced. Emphasize that every small act builds up.

Our Kindness Blueprint

A blueprint is a detailed plan for a building.
Our Kindness Blueprint will be a detailed plan for how we can all show kindness in our classroom and school.

Introduce the idea of a blueprint. Explain it's a plan. We're going to create a plan for kindness.

Elements of Kindness

What actions show kindness?
What words spread kindness?
How can we make everyone feel welcome?

Guide students to think about concrete actions. What does kindness look like, sound like, and feel like?

Designing Your Blueprint

Work in your groups to create your Kindness Blueprint.
Think about:
- Specific actions
- Kind words
- Ways to include everyone
- Visual representation of your ideas

Explain the group activity. Emphasize collaboration and creativity. Circulate to support groups.

Presenting Our Plans

Each group will share their Kindness Blueprint with the class.
Explain your ideas and your vision for a kinder school.

Encourage positive feedback and active listening during presentations. Highlight diverse ideas.

You Are the Architects!

Every one of us has the power to build a kinder school community, one kind action at a time.
Let's be amazing architects of kindness!

Reiterate the main message. Each student has the power to build kindness daily.

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Warm Up

Community Foundations: What Makes a Strong School?

Instructions: Think about our school. What makes it a good place to be? What helps everyone feel safe, happy, and ready to learn? Jot down some ideas below.












Share your thoughts: Be ready to share one idea with the class about what makes a strong school community.

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Discussion

Our Kindness Blueprints: Discussion Prompts

Instructions: In your small groups, discuss the following questions. Be ready to share some of your group's ideas with the whole class.

Prompt 1: What does kindness look like?

  • What actions do you see when people are being kind in our school?
  • Give an example of a kind action you could do today.




Prompt 2: What does kindness sound like?

  • What words do kind people use? What tone of voice?
  • Are there words or phrases that always make you feel good when you hear them?




Prompt 3: How does kindness make you feel?

  • How does it feel when someone is kind to you?
  • How does it feel when you are kind to someone else?
  • How does a whole classroom feel when everyone is being kind?




Prompt 4: What are the challenges to being kind?

  • Are there times when it's hard to be kind? Why?
  • What can we do when we see unkindness happening?




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Activity

Your Group's Kindness Blueprint

Instructions: As Architects of Kindness, your group will design a blueprint for how we can build a kinder classroom and school. Use the space below to brainstorm and sketch out your ideas. You will then transfer your best ideas to chart paper.

Think about:

  • Kind Actions: What specific things can we do?
  • Kind Words: What specific things can we say?
  • Inclusive Environment: How can we make sure everyone feels like they belong?
  • Problem Solving: What can we do when unkindness happens?

Draw your blueprint! You can use words, pictures, symbols, or a combination. Be creative and make it a clear plan for kindness.



































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Project Guide

Our Kindness Community Project: Blueprint Presentation

Project Goal:

To collaboratively design and present a visual "Kindness Blueprint" for our classroom or school community, outlining specific actions and words that foster a positive and inclusive environment.

Instructions:

  1. Review Your Brainstorming: Look at your Kindness Blueprint Activity Sheet and choose the most impactful ideas your group came up with.

  2. Create Your Visual Blueprint:

    • Using the provided chart paper and art supplies, create a large, clear, and colorful representation of your group's Kindness Blueprint.
    • Include your chosen kind actions, kind words, and strategies for inclusion.
    • Think about how you can visually organize your ideas – maybe a house structure, a tree with roots and branches, a city skyline, or another creative design.
    • Make sure your blueprint is easy to understand and visually appealing.

  3. Prepare Your Presentation:

    • Decide who will speak about which parts of your blueprint.
    • Practice explaining your group's ideas. Why did you choose these specific actions and words? What impact do you hope they will have?
    • Be ready to answer questions from your classmates and teacher.

Presentation Guidelines:

  • Clarity: Clearly explain each part of your blueprint.
  • Collaboration: Show that everyone in your group contributed.
  • Creativity: We appreciate original and thoughtful designs.
  • Enthusiasm: Share your ideas with passion!

Time Allotment:

  • Blueprint Creation: 20 minutes (completed during activity phase)
  • Presentation Prep: 5-10 minutes (before presentations begin)
  • Presentations: 2-3 minutes per group

What to Think About When Presenting:

  • What is the most important part of your blueprint?
  • How will your blueprint make our school a better place?
  • What is one challenge your group faced, and how did you overcome it?
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Cool Down

My Personal Kindness Pledge

Instructions: Think about everything we discussed and designed today. On this card, write down ONE specific action or kind word you will commit to using to be an "architect of kindness" in our school community, starting today.

My Kindness Pledge:

I, __________________________, pledge to __________________________________________________






to build a kinder school community.


Optional: On the back, you can draw a small symbol or picture that represents your pledge.

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