Kind Words, Bright Smiles

Dyshawnna Martin

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Kind Words, Bright Smiles Lesson Plan

Students will learn to use kind words and polite language when interacting with peers by practicing giving and receiving compliments to foster respectful and supportive friendships.

This lesson builds essential social-emotional skills, promoting empathy, positive peer relationships, and a welcoming classroom atmosphere where all students feel valued and respected.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and compliment game

Materials

Kind Words Warm-Up Prompt Cards, Compliment Cards Set, Kindness Reminder Poster, and Sticker Tokens

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Print and cut Kind Words Warm-Up Prompt Cards.
Print and cut Compliment Cards Set.
Display Kindness Reminder Poster in the classroom.
Gather a set of Sticker Tokens for student rewards.

Step 1

Warm-Up Activity

3 minutes

Gather students in a circle and introduce the lesson objective: using kind words with friends.
Point to the Kindness Reminder Poster and read it aloud together.
Shuffle the Kind Words Warm-Up Prompt Cards.
Invite a volunteer to draw a card and answer the prompt (e.g., “Tell us one kind word you can say to a friend.”).

Step 2

Modeling Kind Words

4 minutes

Show the Compliment Cards Set and read a sample compliment (e.g., “You did a great job sharing!”).
Model giving the compliment to a student and receiving a response.
Ask students to brainstorm additional kind words or polite phrases and share their ideas aloud.

Step 3

Compliment Game

5 minutes

Shuffle the Compliment Cards Set and have each student draw one card.
Students read their card aloud and give that compliment to a classmate of their choice.
The receiving student responds with “Thank you” and earns a Sticker Token.
Continue until every student has both given and received a compliment.

Step 4

Reflection & Closing

3 minutes

Ask volunteers how it felt to give and receive compliments.
Reinforce that kind words help us feel happy and respected.
Encourage students to use kind words throughout the day and refer to the Kindness Reminder Poster.

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Slide Deck

Kind Words, Bright Smiles

Today we will learn how to use kind words and polite language with our friends!

Welcome students and introduce today’s lesson. Explain that we will learn how kind words can make our friends feel happy.

Lesson Objective

• Use kind words when talking to friends
• Practice giving and receiving compliments to build positive friendships

Read the objective aloud. Ask a volunteer: “Why do you think using kind words is important?”

Kindness Reminder Poster

• Be Kind
• Use Nice Words
• Make Others Smile

Point to the poster on the wall or screen. Read each phrase together with the class.

Warm-Up Activity

• Gather in a circle
• Shuffle the Kind Words Warm-Up Prompt Cards
• Student draws a card and answers aloud (e.g., “Tell one kind word you can say to a friend.”)

Shuffle the warm-up cards before class. During the slide, invite one student to draw a card and share.

Modeling Kind Words

• Show the Compliment Cards Set
• Sample compliment: “You did a great job sharing!”
• Brainstorm more kind words or polite phrases together

Show the compliment cards to the class. Model by reading a card and giving that compliment to a student. Encourage students to suggest other phrases.

Compliment Game

• Shuffle the Compliment Cards Set
• Each student draws one card
• Read your compliment aloud and give it to a classmate
• The classmate responds “Thank you” and earns a Sticker Token
• Continue until everyone has participated

Explain the game steps clearly. Monitor students as they give and receive compliments, handing out Sticker Tokens.

Reflection & Closing

• How did it feel to give a compliment?
• How did it feel to receive one?
• Remember: Kind words help everyone feel happy and respected!

Lead a short reflection. Encourage students to share how they felt. Remind them to use kind words all day.

Warm Up

Kind Words Warm-Up Prompt Cards

Use these prompt cards to start a quick, 3-minute discussion on kind words! Shuffle and let one student draw and read aloud, then invite classmates to share their responses.

Tell us one kind word you can say to a friend.
Share a polite way to say "hello" to someone.
Name something nice you could say to someone who helped you.
What kind word can you use when someone shares their toys?
Give a compliment you could say to a friend who drew a picture.
How can you say "thank you" in a friendly way?
What kind thing could you say to someone who looks sad?
Say a polite phrase you’d use when asking for help.
Share a friendly way to say "good job."
What’s a kind way to say "goodbye" at the end of the day?

Activity

Compliment Cards Set

Print and cut these compliment cards. Students will draw a card, read the compliment aloud, and give it to a classmate during the Compliment Game.

You did a great job sharing!
I love the colors you used!
Thank you for helping me!
You are a great friend!
I like your big smile!
You worked really hard!
You are very kind!
Your drawing is amazing!
You listened very well!
You made me laugh!
I like how you took turns!
You are a good helper!

Reading

Kindness Reminder Poster

Remember these three simple steps to spread kindness in our classroom!

• Be Kind — Say something nice and help your friends when they need you.

• Use Nice Words — Always remember to say “please,” “thank you,” and give compliments.

• Make Others Smile — Your friendly words and actions can brighten someone’s day!

Let’s practice kindness together every day!