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Colors of Kindness

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Lesson Plan

Colors of Kindness Lesson Plan

Students will identify and reflect on acts of kindness and then create ‘kindness paintings’ to express empathy and compassion visually.

Fostering empathy and awareness of compassionate acts strengthens classroom community, nurtures emotional intelligence, and encourages students to notice and perform kindness.

Audience

Elementary School Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Discussion, reflection, art creation, and sharing.

Materials

Poster Paper, Tempera Paints Set, Paint Brushes, Paper Plates for Paint Palettes, Aprons or Smocks, Drying Rack or Table Space, Kindness Reflection Worksheet, and Colors of Kindness Slide Deck

Prep

Pre-Lesson Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

10 minutes

  • Display slide 2 of Colors of Kindness Slide Deck
  • Ask: “What is kindness? Where have you seen or felt kindness today?”
  • Record student examples on chart paper
  • Highlight how noticing small acts builds empathy

Step 2

Reflection Activity

5 minutes

  • Distribute Kindness Reflection Worksheet
  • Prompt students to jot down one act of kindness they witnessed or performed
  • Invite volunteers to share their examples aloud

Step 3

Demonstration

5 minutes

  • Show sample painting on slide 5
  • Model basic brush strokes and color choices to convey feelings
  • Explain how warm colors can show joy, cool colors calmness, etc.

Step 4

Kindness Painting

20 minutes

  • Students paint their chosen act of kindness on poster paper
  • Encourage thoughtful color selection to match emotions
  • Circulate to ask reflective questions: “Why did you choose that color?”
  • Provide praise and support as students create

Step 5

Gallery Walk & Sharing

5 minutes

  • Display finished paintings around the room
  • Students walk gallery-style, observing peers’ art
  • Invite each student to share one thing they admire in a classmate’s work
  • Emphasize how art can communicate kindness and foster community
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Slide Deck

Colors of Kindness

Express the kindness you see or share using colors and art.

Welcome students! Introduce today’s art activity: we’ll express kindness through colors. Point out the soft pink gradient background (#FFCDD2→#F48FB1). Explain that we’ll learn how colors can show feelings and then paint our own ‘kindness paintings’.

What Is Kindness?

Kindness is caring and helpful acts we do for others. Think of moments when someone showed you or others kindness.

Ask: “What is kindness? Where have you seen it today?” Record student responses on chart paper. Emphasize that noticing small acts builds empathy.

Reflection Prompt

On your worksheet, write one act of kindness you saw or did today. Be ready to share your example.

Hand out the Kindness Reflection Worksheet. Give students a minute to write one act of kindness they witnessed or performed. Invite a few volunteers to share.

Color & Emotion

• Warm colors (reds, oranges, pinks) = joy, excitement
• Cool colors (blues, greens) = calm, caring
Use these to show how kindness feels.

Show a sample painting (projected or printed). Demonstrate simple brush strokes and explain how color choices communicate feelings.

Create Your Kindness Painting

• Use poster paper and tempera paints
• Choose colors that match your kindness act
• Think: Why does this color fit your feeling?

Transition students to their art stations. Remind them to refer to their reflection when choosing what to paint.

Gallery Walk & Sharing

• Walk to view classmates’ paintings
• Notice color choices and stories
• Share one thing you admire in their art

Arrange finished paintings around the room. Guide students in a quiet gallery walk. Then invite each to share one thing they admire in a peer’s work.

Thank You for Sharing

Remember: Kindness makes our community brighter. Keep noticing and sharing acts of kindness!

Praise students for their empathy and creativity. Encourage them to look for kindness in and out of class every day.

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Activity

Kindness Painting Activity

Objective: Students will apply color theory to express feelings of kindness through original paintings.

Materials:

Time: 20 minutes

Instructions

  1. Review Reflection (2 min)

    • Look at the act of kindness you wrote on your worksheet.
    • Think about how that act made you or someone else feel.

  2. Choose Colors (3 min)

    • Select warm colors (reds, oranges, pinks) for joy or excitement, cool colors (blues, greens) for calm or caring.
    • Decide why each color fits your emotion.

  3. Sketch Your Idea (3 min)

    • Lightly sketch on the poster paper a scene, symbol, or abstract design that represents your kindness act.

  4. Paint Your Kindness (10 min)

    • Use tempera paints to bring your sketch to life.
    • Focus on blending and layering colors to convey emotion.
    • As you paint, ask yourself: “Why did I pick this color here? How does this color show kindness?”

  5. Clean Up (2 min)

    • Rinse brushes, wipe palettes, and return materials.

Reflection Questions

  • What color did you choose for the most joyful part of your scene? Why?


  • How did mixing or layering colors help you show kindness?


  • Which part of your painting makes you feel most connected to your kindness act?





Teacher Tips: Circulate and prompt students to explain their color choices. Praise creative color use and emotional expression.

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Worksheet

Kindness Reflection Worksheet

Instructions

Reflect on an act of kindness you witnessed or performed today. Use your responses to guide your kindness painting.

  1. Describe one act of kindness you saw or did today.

    • Who was involved? What happened?



  2. How did this act of kindness make you or someone else feel? Use at least two feeling words.



  3. Choose two colors that match these feelings. List each color and explain why it fits:

    • Color 1: ________ (Why? ______________)



    • Color 2: ________ (Why? ______________)



  4. Sketch a simple symbol, shape, or picture that represents the kindness act:












  5. What is one kind action you can do for someone else today? Explain your idea:



  6. Why is showing kindness important in our classroom and community?






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Colors of Kindness • Lenny Learning