Lesson Plan
Kindness Bug Strategy Guide
Students will learn and practice positive reinforcement by playing the Kindness Bug game, identifying and rewarding supportive behaviors using a class tracking chart.
Building a positive classroom culture through tangible rewards boosts student engagement, social skills, and peer support, laying a foundation for lifelong empathy.
Audience
2nd Grade
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Interactive game with real-time recognition
Materials
Catch the Kindness Bug Presentation, Kindness Bug Tag Activity, Behavior Tracking Chart Rubric, Bug Reflection Exit Ticket, Bug stickers or small bug cut-outs, and Classroom chart paper and markers
Prep
Gather and Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and cut cards from Kindness Bug Tag Activity
- Load and review slides in Catch the Kindness Bug Presentation
- Print copies of Behavior Tracking Chart Rubric and post on chart paper
- Print one Bug Reflection Exit Ticket per student
- Gather bug stickers or cut-outs for rewards
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Display Catch the Kindness Bug Presentation
- Define “Kindness Bug” and explain how it spreads through positive actions
- Share examples of supportive behaviors (sharing, helping, encouraging)
Step 2
Explain Game Rules
5 minutes
- Show how students ‘catch’ the Kindness Bug by noticing a peer’s kind act
- Demonstrate tagging: hand over a bug card from Kindness Bug Tag Activity when you spot a good deed
- Explain points and recording system using Behavior Tracking Chart Rubric
Step 3
Play Kindness Bug
15 minutes
- Students mingle and watch for kind actions
- When a student sees kindness, they tag the actor with a bug card
- Tagged students place their card on the class chart per the rubric
- Teacher circulates, praises efforts, and awards bug stickers
Step 4
Monitor & Reinforce
10 minutes
- Tally class points on the chart
- Acknowledge groups or individuals meeting kindness milestones
- Offer class reward (extra recess minutes, music time) when a threshold is reached
Step 5
Reflection & Closure
5 minutes
- Distribute Bug Reflection Exit Ticket
- Prompt students to write/draw one kind act they did or received
- Share a few responses aloud and reinforce the value of kindness
Slide Deck
Catch the Kindness Bug!
Today we will learn about the Kindness Bug and how we can spread it throughout our classroom.
Welcome students to today’s fun lesson on kindness! Introduce yourself and briefly explain that we will learn how to spread kindness like a catchy bug.
What Is the Kindness Bug?
• A special “bug” that grows when we do and notice kind things.
• It spreads from person to person.
• Kindness makes everyone feel good!
Define the Kindness Bug and emphasize that it represents positive actions that ‘multiply’ when we notice and share them.
Examples of Kindness
• Helping a friend tie their shoe
• Sharing crayons at art time
• Saying “You did a great job!”
• Picking up a paper someone dropped
Share concrete, age-appropriate examples. Encourage students to call out examples from their own experiences.
How to Catch the Bug
- Watch for a peer doing something kind.
- Hand them a bug card from Kindness Bug Tag Activity.
- They place the card on our class chart.
Explain the main game idea: catch a bug card when you see kindness in action.
Kindness Bug Tag
• Each student has bug cards to give.
• When you spot kindness, tag your friend.
• They add it to the chart.
Show a sample bug card and demonstrate handing it over. Link to the activity materials.
Tracking Our Kindness
• We use the Behavior Tracking Chart Rubric.
• Each bug card is 1 point.
• Watch as our points grow!
Introduce the chart and rubric. Explain how we tally and what milestones look like.
Reaching Our Goal
• When we reach 20 points, we earn extra recess minutes!
• Higher goals unlock surprises.
• Everyone’s kindness counts.
Describe the class reward structure. Build excitement for reaching the goal together.
Reflection Time
Take a Bug Reflection Exit Ticket and draw or write:
• One kind act you did or saw today.
Explain the exit ticket and encourage honest reflections. Collect tickets at end.
Let’s Get Started!
Spread the Kindness Bug and watch our classroom shine!
Who’s ready to play?
Encourage students to start playing and remind them you’ll be checking in and celebrating their acts of kindness.
Activity
Kindness Bug Tag Activity Instructions
Objective
Spread the Kindness Bug by tagging classmates when you notice supportive, helpful, or caring acts.
Materials
- Bug cards (see templates below)
- Pencils or markers
Prep (10 minutes)
- Print enough bug cards so each student has 4–6 cards.
- Cut cards along the lines to create individual tags.
- Place cards and writing tools at each student’s desk.
Steps
- Distribute Cards: Give each student a stack of blank bug cards.
- Explain the Rules:
• When you spot a friend doing something kind (helping, sharing, encouraging), fill out one bug card: write your name, the friend’s name, and today’s date.
• Hand the card to that friend as a “Kindness Tag.” - Adding to the Chart: Tagged students place their card on the class behavior tracker according to the Behavior Tracking Chart Rubric.
- Teacher Role: Circulate, model tagging with praise, and award bug stickers for exceptional examples of kindness.
- Repeat: Continue tagging throughout the activity period so our kindness points grow!
Printable Bug Card Templates (6 per page)
| 🐞 BUG CARD | 🐞 BUG CARD | 🐞 BUG CARD |
|---|---|---|
| Friend’s Name: __________ Your Name: __________ Date: __________ | Friend’s Name: __________ Your Name: __________ Date: __________ | Friend’s Name: __________ Your Name: __________ Date: __________ |
| 🐞 BUG CARD | 🐞 BUG CARD | 🐞 BUG CARD |
| Friend’s Name: __________ Your Name: __________ Date: __________ | Friend’s Name: __________ Your Name: __________ Date: __________ | Friend’s Name: __________ Your Name: __________ Date: __________ |
Cut along all lines to create six individual Kindness Bug cards per sheet.
Rubric
Behavior Tracking Chart Rubric
Use this rubric alongside our class kindness chart to track cumulative kindness points and unlock rewards together.
| Points Range | Level Name | What It Means | Class Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | Getting Started | We’re just beginning to notice and tag kind actions. | Verbal praise and encouragement |
| 5–9 | Kindness Bud | You’ve demonstrated kindness several times—keep it up! | Sticker or class high-five |
| 10–14 | Kindness Champion | Consistent kind actions are strengthening our community. | +5 minutes extra recess |
| 15–19 | Kindness Leader | You actively model kindness and inspire your classmates. | +10 minutes extra recess |
| 20+ | Super Kindness Squad | Exceptional kindness—our class shines together! | Music time or small class party |
How to use:
- Each Kindness Bug tag = 1 point added to our class total.
- Place each bug card on the chart and update the running total.
- Check the rubric to see which level we’ve reached and celebrate with the corresponding reward!
Cool Down
Bug Reflection Exit Ticket
Name: ______________________ Date: ___________
1. Draw or Write One Kind Act You Did or Saw Today
(You can draw a picture and/or write a few words about what happened.)
2. Why Was This Kind Act Important? How Did It Make You or Someone Else Feel?