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Count on Kindness

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Lesson Plan

Count on Kindness Lesson Plan

Students will solve addition and subtraction problems while linking numeric answers to emotions, building math fluency and social-emotional awareness.

Integrating SEL with math helps students recognize and express emotions as they learn, fostering empathy, classroom community, and stronger arithmetic skills. This Tier 1 lesson supports all learners in both academic and emotional growth.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Solve math problems tied to feelings.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Opening Circle

5 minutes

  • Welcome students to “Count on Kindness.”
  • Distribute Kindness Number Cards face down.
  • Each student picks a card, names the number, and uses the Emotion Number Chart to share how that number makes them feel.
  • Record 2–3 examples on the chart to model sharing feelings.

Step 2

Mini-Lesson

10 minutes

  • Quickly review addition and subtraction strategies (counting on, making ten).
  • Present a sample story problem from the Addition and Subtraction Story Problems Poster.
  • Solve it together, then ask: “How did solving this make you feel?” Link the emotion using the chart.

Step 3

Guided Practice

15 minutes

  • Students pair up and tackle different story problems from the poster.
  • Using manipulatives, pairs solve each problem, write their answer, and circle the matching emotion on the Emotion Number Chart.
  • After solving two problems, pairs swap with another duo to share one solution and why they chose that feeling.

Step 4

Independent Practice

10 minutes

  • Hand out the SEL Reflection Worksheet.
  • Students complete five addition/subtraction problems independently.
  • Next to each numeric answer, they draw a face or label the emotion they experienced while solving it.

Step 5

Closing Reflection

5 minutes

  • Regroup and invite 3–4 volunteers to share one problem and their emotion.
  • Discuss how noticing and naming feelings helps us support each other and stay kind learners.
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Slide Deck

Count on Kindness

2nd Grade Math + SEL
45-Minute Lesson

Today we’ll add and subtract while linking numbers to emotions!

Welcome the class and introduce the lesson. Explain that today we’ll practice math and talk about feelings.

Objectives & Materials

Objectives:
• Solve addition & subtraction problems
• Link numeric answers to feelings

Materials:
• Kindness Number Cards
• Emotion Number Chart
• Addition and Subtraction Story Problems Poster
• SEL Reflection Worksheet
• Counters or cubes
• Timer

Point to each item as you review. Ensure students know what they’ll use.

Opening Circle

  1. Distribute Kindness Number Cards face down.
  2. Students pick a card, say the number.
  3. Use the Emotion Number Chart to share how that number makes them feel.
  4. Record 2–3 examples on the chart.

Have cards face down. Invite students one by one to pick a card, name the number, and share a feeling.

Emotion Number Chart

Refer to this chart when linking numbers to feelings.

(Example layout)
1😊 Joyful 5😮 Surprised 9😢 Sad
2😡 Mad 6😃 Happy 10😐 Calm
3😟 Worried 7😔 Disappointed
4😎 Proud 8😱 Excited

Display the chart. Model circling or pointing as you discuss.

Mini-Lesson: Strategies Review

• Counting On: Start from the first addend and count up.
• Making Ten: Break numbers to make 10, then add remainder.
• Subtraction: Count back or use “take-away” strategy.

Ask: Which strategy helps you most?

Briefly review strategies. Use student examples to connect to prior learning.

Sample Story Problem

“Maria has 8 apples. She gives 3 to her friend. How many apples does Maria have left?”

  1. Represent with counters: 8 red cubes, remove 3.
  2. 8 − 3 = 5
  3. Circle emotion 5😮 on the Emotion Number Chart.
  4. Ask: How did solving that make you feel?

Show the poster. Read the problem aloud, then solve step by step with manipulatives.

Guided Practice

  1. Pair up and choose a problem from the Addition and Subtraction Story Problems Poster.
  2. Use manipulatives to solve.
  3. Write your answer and circle the matching emotion on the chart.
  4. After two problems, swap with another pair and share one solution + feeling.

Organize pairs and distribute manipulatives. Circulate and prompt emotion sharing.

Independent Practice

  1. Complete five addition/subtraction problems on the SEL Reflection Worksheet.
  2. Next to each numeric answer, draw a face or label the emotion you felt while solving.
  3. Work quietly; raise hand if you need help.

Hand out worksheets. Remind students to draw faces or write emotion words.

Closing Reflection

  1. Invite 3–4 students to share one problem and their emotion.
  2. Discuss: How does naming feelings help us support each other?
  3. Remind: We can always “count on” kindness in math and in life!

Invite volunteers and reinforce the value of noticing feelings. Close with a kindness reminder.

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Worksheet

SEL Reflection Worksheet

Solve each problem and then next to your answer, draw a face or write the emotion you felt while solving it.

  1. 4 + 3 = ______





  2. 10 - 6 = ______





  3. 5 + 5 = ______





  4. 9 - 2 = ______





  5. 7 + 2 = ______





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Activity

Kindness Number Cards

Print and cut along the lines to create individual number cards. Each card features a large numeral for the Opening Circle.

12345
678910

Use these cards to prompt each student to pick a number, name it, and share how that number makes them feel using the Emotion Number Chart.

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Activity

Emotion Number Chart

Use this chart to link numeric answers to emotions. After solving a problem, find your answer and circle or point to the emoji that matches how it made you feel.

NumberEmojiEmotion
1😊Joyful
2😡Mad
3😟Worried
4😎Proud
5😮Surprised
6😃Happy
7😔Disappointed
8😱Excited
9😢Sad
10😐Calm
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lenny

Activity

Addition and Subtraction Story Problems Poster

Display this poster for Guided Practice. Students choose a problem, solve with manipulatives, write the answer, and circle the corresponding emotion on the Emotion Number Chart.

  1. Lily has 3 balloons and gets 4 more. How many balloons does she have now?
  2. Jake picks 9 apples from a tree and gives 2 to his friend. How many apples are left?
  3. Sara finds 5 seashells on the beach and then finds 3 more. What is her total?
  4. Ben collects 10 stickers and gives 6 away. How many stickers does he keep?
  5. Mia draws 4 pictures in class and draws 5 more at home. How many pictures did she draw altogether?
  6. Alex has 8 cookies and eats 3. How many cookies remain?
  7. Zoe sees 2 birds on a wire and then 6 more land next to them. How many birds are there now?
  8. Ryan starts with 7 candies and shares 4 with his friends. How many candies are left?
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Count on Kindness • Lenny Learning