Lesson Plan
Circle of Smiles Lesson Plan
Students will reflect on their year, share positive qualities about classmates, and practice gratitude and empathy through a fun group Circle of Smiles activity.
This lesson strengthens social–emotional skills by fostering self-reflection, positive peer interactions, and gratitude, building a supportive classroom community.
Audience
Transitional Kindergarten Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Guided discussion and sharing activity
Materials
Circle of Smiles Slide Deck, Circle of Smiles Teacher Script, Circle of Smiles Activity Materials, Printed Smile Cards, Markers or Crayons, and Classroom Rug or Open Floor Space
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and cut the Circle of Smiles Activity Materials smile cards.
- Load the Circle of Smiles Slide Deck and review the sequence with the Circle of Smiles Teacher Script.
- Gather markers or crayons and arrange the rug or floor area for a circle seating.
Step 1
Welcome and Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Display Slide 1 of the Circle of Smiles Slide Deck and greet students warmly.
- Use the Circle of Smiles Teacher Script to explain that today they will celebrate friendships and learning.
- Introduce key words: growth, gratitude, empathy. Ask students to show thumbs up if they know what each word means.
Step 2
Reflect on Growth
8 minutes
- Show Slide 2: “My Year in Review.”
- Ask each student to share one thing they learned or enjoyed this year.
- Provide sentence starters (e.g., “I learned how to…”). Offer extra wait time or visuals for students who need support.
Step 3
Circle of Smiles Activity
12 minutes
- Have students sit in a circle on the rug or floor space.
- Pass one printed smile card from the Circle of Smiles Activity Materials to each student.
- In turn, each student reads the name on their card (teacher or aide can help) and shares one nice thing about that classmate.
- Teacher scribe comments on a chart or large paper to celebrate each share.
- If a student is nonverbal, invite them to point, gesture, or use a communication device to participate.
Step 4
Closing and Assessment
5 minutes
- Gather students and ask: “How did you feel when you heard something nice about you?”
- Observe responses and note understanding of gratitude and empathy.
- Reinforce positive behavior with verbal praise and a group clap.
- For assessment: use anecdotal notes to record each student’s participation and emotional response.
- Differentiate by offering one-on-one support to any student who needs extra encouragement.
Slide Deck
Circle of Smiles
Welcome, Friends!
Today we celebrate our smiles and friendship!
Show this first slide to welcome the class. Say: “Good morning, friends! Today we’re going to celebrate all the wonderful things we’ve done this year and share smiles with our classmates.”
My Year in Review
I learned how to _______________.
(Think & share!)
Explain the prompt. Say: “Let’s think about one thing we learned or loved this year. I’ll go first.” Model with your own example. Then invite volunteers.
Circle of Smiles Activity
- Sit in a circle.
- Pass a smile card to your neighbor.
- Share one nice thing about that friend.
Guide students to arrange themselves on the rug in a circle. Say: “Now we’ll play our Circle of Smiles game. You’ll pass a smile card and tell something kind about the friend on your card.”
Kind Words Example
“I like when Emma shares her toys with me.”
Provide a clear example. Say: “I might say, ‘I like when Emma shares her toys with me.’” Encourage students to use simple sentences.
How Do You Feel?
😊 Happy 😃 Proud ❤️ Loved
Point to the face that shows how you feel!
After the shares, show this slide. Ask: “How did it feel to hear kind words?” Point to each face and have students respond.
Great Job, Everyone!
Thank you for sharing!
Let’s give ourselves a big clap! 👏
Close the lesson by praising the group. Say: “You all did an amazing job sharing kindness! Let’s give ourselves a big clap!”
Script
Circle of Smiles Teacher Script
Welcome and Warm-Up (5 minutes)
Teacher shows Slide 1: “Circle of Smiles”
Teacher says:
“Good morning, friends! Welcome to our Circle of Smiles! Today we’re going to celebrate all the wonderful things we’ve done this year and share kind words with our classmates. Can everyone show me their biggest smile? (Pause for smiles.) Wow—look at all those happy faces!
Now I have three special words for us: growth, gratitude, and empathy.
• Growth means how we get better at things.
• Gratitude means feeling thankful.
• Empathy means caring about how someone else feels.
Can you show me a thumbs up if you know what growth means? (Pause.) Thumbs up for gratitude! (Pause.) And thumbs up for empathy! (Pause.) Fantastic!”
Reflect on Growth (8 minutes)
Teacher shows Slide 2: “My Year in Review”
Teacher says:
“Now let’s think about one thing we learned or really enjoyed this year. I’ll go first. I learned how to color inside the lines on my coloring pages. Your turn! When I tap your shoulder, you can share. Try using this sentence starter: ‘I learned how to …’
[Teacher taps Student 1]
Student 1 shares.
[Teacher taps Student 2]
Student 2 shares.
Keep going until most students have had a chance. Offer extra wait time or point to a visual if someone needs help.”
Circle of Smiles Activity (12 minutes)
Teacher shows Slide 3: “Circle of Smiles Activity”
Teacher says:
“Okay, friends—let’s come sit in a big circle on the rug. (Pause as children settle.)
I’m going to pass out one smile card to each of you. The card has the name of a friend on it. When you get your card, please:
- Read the name out loud (I’ll help if you need it).
- Tell us one nice thing about that friend.
I’ll show you an example. I have a card for Emma. I’ll say, ‘I like when Emma shares her toys with me.’
[Teacher models with Emma’s card.]
Now, let’s begin! Here’s our first card.”
Teacher passes cards one at a time.
After each share, Teacher scribes a quick note on chart paper, e.g., “Emma shares her toys.”
If a friend uses gestures, points, or a communication device, respond with excitement and say their kind words for them.
Continue until every student has shared.
Closing and Assessment (5 minutes)
Teacher shows Slide 5: “How Do You Feel?”
Teacher says:
“Wonderful sharing, everyone! Now I want you to tell me how you felt when you heard something nice about you. Look at these faces:
😊 Happy 😃 Proud ❤️ Loved
Point to the face that shows how you feel.”
[Pause for students to point or gesture.]
Teacher says:
“I see so many happy, proud, and loved faces! You did an amazing job sharing kindness. Let’s give ourselves a big clap!”
Teacher leads class clap.
Assessment & Differentiation:
• Teacher notes each child’s participation and emotional response.
• Offer one-on-one encouragement for any child who seemed shy or uncertain.
Teacher shows Slide 6: “Great Job, Everyone!” and says:
“Thank you for sharing your smiles and kind words today. I’m so proud of each of you!”
End of Lesson.
Activity
Circle of Smiles Activity Materials
Smile Cards Template
Print this page on cardstock (or regular paper) and cut along the dotted lines to create individual Smile Cards. On each card, write one student’s name.
| My friend: ____________ | | My friend: ____________ |
| My friend: ____________ | | My friend: ____________ |
(Continue printing additional pages or duplicating this template to make enough cards for every student.)
Tips for use:
• Print in color for extra fun, or let students decorate the blank cards before the activity.
• If you have a long class list, you can fit three cards per row or shrink the page layout.
• Laminate cards for durability and reuse in other community-building activities.