Session 1 Kindness Discussion Prompts

Use these prompt cards in pairs to get students talking about how they can spread kindness in the cafeteria. Print and cut them out so each pair can draw one.

1. Name one way you could help a friend who dropped their tray or lunch items.

1. What could you say to someone who is sitting alone at lunch to make them feel welcome?

1. How can you politely ask for extra napkins or utensils when you need them?

1. What’s a kind thing you could say to the cafeteria staff today?

1. Describe a time you saw someone being kind in the cafeteria. How did it make you feel?

1. If you notice a classmate looking sad or upset at lunch, what could you do to help?

1. How can you show respect for your tablemates when you’re in line or eating together?

1. Why is it important to say “please” and “thank you” when someone passes you something?

1. How could you include a new student or someone you don’t know very well in your lunchtime group?

1. What can you do to help keep the cafeteria clean so everyone has a safe, happy place to eat?

Session 1 Cafeteria Bingo

Use these 4×4 bingo cards to reinforce cafeteria expectations and kindness behaviors. Each student gets a card with 16 squares. Call out one behavior at a time (e.g., “Walking in line”), and students mark the square if they have it. The first student to mark four in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) calls “Bingo!” and names each behavior they marked.

Print and distribute one card per student. Adjust square order or swap behaviors to create multiple card versions if desired.

Session 2 Serving Area Etiquette Discussion Prompts

Use these prompt cards in pairs to discuss polite behaviors in the cafeteria serving area. Print and cut them out so each pair can draw one.

1. What is the polite way to ask someone to move so you can get your food?

1. How could you let the cafeteria staff know you need more milk without being loud?

1. If a friend is struggling to carry their tray, what could you do to help?

1. What would you do if someone accidentally cuts in front of you in line?

1. How could you show appreciation to the lunch server today?

1. If the line is moving slowly, what can you do to stay patient and positive?

1. Why is it important to keep your hands to yourself in the serving area?

1. How might you politely pass the salad tongs or serving spoons to someone behind you?

1. What can you say or do if you drop your tray or food while getting your lunch?

1. How can you support someone who seems shy or unsure at the serving counter?

Session 2 Cafeteria Etiquette Charades Cards

Use these charades cards to reinforce polite cafeteria behaviors. Print and cut each card so students can draw one and act out the prompt without speaking. The class will guess the scenario and name the polite behavior.

1. Pretend to stand quietly in line, waiting your turn without pushing.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Mime saying “please” and “thank you” to the lunch server.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Act out holding the door open for a friend carrying a tray.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Pretend you need more milk—raise your hand politely instead of shouting.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Mime helping a classmate who dropped their tray items.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Act out covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze in line.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Pretend to pass the tongs or serving spoon quietly to the person behind you.
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Mime wiping up a spill or cleaning your tray area before moving on.
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. Act out apologizing and stepping aside if you accidentally bump someone in line.
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. Pretend to encourage a shy classmate by giving them a friendly wave or smile.
    
    
    
    
    
    

Materials: Print one sheet per 10 cards and cut along the prompts. Students take turns drawing, acting silently, and letting classmates guess the polite behavior being shown.

Session 3 Table Manners Discussion Prompts

Use these prompt cards in pairs to discuss polite table manners and cleanup routines. Print and cut them out so each pair can draw one.

1. Why is it important to sit up straight and face forward at the table?

1. How do you hold and use a fork and knife correctly when eating?

1. What could you say when passing food across the table to be polite?

1. Why should you chew with your mouth closed, and how does it help everyone?

1. If you need to leave the table, what is a polite way to ask to be excused?

1. How would you ask a friend to pass a condiment (like ketchup) without reaching over them?

1. What should you do if you accidentally drop something at the table?

1. How can you keep your eating area neat before you leave the table?

1. What is the proper way to return your tray and thank the cafeteria staff at the end of lunch?

1. How can you show appreciation to your tablemates for a pleasant lunch experience?

Session 3 Cleanup Relay

Use these Cleanup Relay Game Cards to reinforce efficient cleanup routines during lunch. Divide the class into two teams and have each team stand behind its own table. Students will take turns drawing a card, completing the cleanup task on their table, and passing the card to the next teammate. The first team to finish all tasks neatly wins—in addition, they must name each task they performed to celebrate their effort.

How to Play:

1. Shuffle the deck of cards and place it face down at each table.
2. On “Go,” the first student from each team draws a card and performs the task at their table.
3. Once the task is done, the student runs back, tags the next teammate, and the relay continues.
4. When all cards are used, the winning team must list the tasks they completed.

Cleanup Relay Game Cards (print and cut apart):

1. Throw away all trash in the proper bin.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Wipe the entire table surface in a circular motion.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Sort recyclables (paper, plastic) into the correct bin.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Stack used trays neatly on the tray cart.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Gather napkins and utensils and return them to the supply bin.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Push chairs in and arrange them evenly around the table.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Check under the table and pick up any fallen items.
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Give a friendly “Thank you!” wave to the cafeteria staff.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Once printed and cut, give one full set of cards to each team. Shuffle between games to mix up the order of tasks.

Session 4 Holiday Kindness Reflection Prompt Cards

Use these prompt cards in pairs to reflect on and share experiences of spreading kindness in the cafeteria. Print and cut them out so each pair can draw one.

1. Share a time this week when you waited your turn in line and helped make lunchtime fair for everyone.

1. Describe how you used polite words (please, thank you, excuse me) to show respect to someone in the cafeteria.

1. Talk about a moment when you helped clean up a spill or threw away trash cheerfully.

1. Recall a time you noticed someone sitting alone. How did you include or help them?

1. Explain a way you used good table manners (sitting properly, chewing quietly, passing items politely).

1. Describe how you supported a friend or staff member during lunch (holding doors, passing items).

1. Share a moment when you used kind words or actions to thank the cafeteria staff for their work.

1. Talk about a time you helped keep the cafeteria clean and why that mattered.

1. What is one holiday kindness goal you practiced this week? Describe how it went.

1. How did practicing kindness in the cafeteria make you feel? Why is it important to continue these behaviors?

Session 4 Kindness Snowball Game Sheet

Use this sheet to write your kindness suggestion for the Kindness Snowball Toss game.

How to Play:

1. Think of one kind action you can do in the cafeteria this holiday season.
2. Write your suggestion in the space below.
3. Crumple your sheet into a “snowball” when everyone is ready.
4. On signal, toss your snowball lightly across the space.
5. Pick up a snowball, open it, read the suggestion aloud, and add it to our shared kindness list.

Kindness Suggestion:

(Optional) Your Name: