Caring Friends: A Kindness Crew Adventure!

tkeya.void

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Caring Friends: A Kindness Crew Adventure!

Students will be able to demonstrate one way to show they care when a friend is feeling sad or upset.

Learning how to show care helps students build strong, positive friendships and develop empathy, which are crucial for their social and emotional well-being.

Audience

Kindergarten Students

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, role-play, and sharing, students will explore caring actions.

Materials

Smartboard or projector for Caring Friends Slide Deck, Friendship Scenario Cards, Markers or crayons, and Large paper for "Ways to Care" Anchor Chart or print-out of "Ways to Care" Anchor Chart

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Review the Caring Friends Slide Deck and practice the script (if using).
Print and cut out the Friendship Scenario Cards.
Prepare a large piece of paper for the "Ways to Care" Anchor Chart, or print multiple copies of the "Ways to Care" Anchor Chart worksheet if students will fill it out individually.
Gather markers or crayons for students.

Step 1

Mindful Minute Warm-Up

3 minutes

Objective: Settle students and bring their focus to feelings.
Begin by asking students to sit comfortably and close their eyes if they feel safe doing so.
"Take a deep breath in through your nose... and let it out slowly through your mouth." (Repeat 2-3 times)
"Now, think about how your body is feeling. Is it happy? Calm? A little sleepy? Just notice your feelings, without trying to change them."
"Open your eyes when you're ready. Today, we're going to talk about how we can be caring friends when someone else has big feelings."

Step 2

Read-Aloud and Group Chat

7 minutes

Objective: Introduce the concept of caring friends and identify feelings.
Display the Caring Friends Slide Deck slide 2: "When a Friend is Sad."
Teacher Script: "Sometimes our friends feel sad or upset. How do you think a friend feels inside when they are sad? What might their face look like? What might their body do?" (Allow responses, guide to recognizing non-verbal cues).
Display Caring Friends Slide Deck slide 3: "How Can We Show We Care?"
Teacher Script: "When our friends are sad, we want to show them we care. We want to be a Kindness Crew! What are some ways you can show a friend you care?" (Write student responses on the large paper/board to start the "Ways to Care" Anchor Chart, or have students write on their individual "Ways to Care" Anchor Chart worksheets. Encourage both verbal and non-verbal ideas like a hug, a kind word, listening, sharing a toy, asking if they want to play, etc.)

Step 3

"Caring Friend" Role-Play

7 minutes

Objective: Practice demonstrating caring actions.
Divide students into small groups (2-3 students per group).
Give each group one Friendship Scenario Card.
Teacher Script: "Now, it's your turn to be caring friends! In your small groups, look at your scenario card. One friend will pretend to be sad or upset, and the other friends will show how they can be caring. Remember the ideas we just shared!"
Circulate among groups, providing support and prompting students to try different caring actions.
After a few minutes, bring the class back together. Ask a few groups to quickly share one caring action they demonstrated.

Step 4

Partner Sharing Circle

3 minutes

Objective: Reinforce learning and personal commitment.
Have students sit in a circle, pairing up with a nearby friend.
Teacher Script: "Great job being caring friends today! Before we finish, turn to your partner. Tell your partner ONE way you will try to show you care to a friend who is sad or upset this week."
After partners share, ask 1-2 volunteers to share their idea with the whole class.
Conclude by reminding them, "You are all part of our Kindness Crew! Let's keep practicing being caring friends!"

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Slide Deck

Caring Friends: A Kindness Crew Adventure!

How can we show our friends we care?

Welcome students and introduce the topic. "Today, we're going on an adventure to learn how to be the best caring friends we can be!"

When a Friend Is Sad

What does it look like when a friend is sad or upset?

How does it feel inside?

Guide students to recognize non-verbal cues and discuss how a friend might feel when sad or upset. "Look at these faces. What do you see? How might these friends be feeling? What makes you think that?"

How Can We Show We Care?

Kind words?

Helping hands?

Listening ears?

Brainstorm ideas with students. Write their suggestions on a chart or have them add to their worksheets. Prompt for both words and actions. "What can we DO or SAY to help our friends feel better? Let's be a Kindness Crew!"

Time to Practice!

Let's be a Kindness Crew!

Transition to the role-play activity. "Now that we have some great ideas, let's practice! You'll get to act out being a caring friend."

Activity

Friendship Scenario Cards

Cut out these cards and use them for your "Caring Friend" Role-Play!