Lesson Plan
Kindness & Calm Choices Lesson Plan
Students will learn to identify and regulate strong emotions, evaluate and choose positive actions, and practice kindness through hands-on discussions, scenario sorting, and reflection.
Building self-awareness, decision-making skills, and empathy helps 2nd graders manage feelings, make thoughtful choices, and foster positive relationships.
Audience
2nd Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussions, scenario practice, and reflection.
Materials
Emotion Thermometer Poster, Choice Scenario Cards Set, Kindness Reflection Worksheet, Calm-Down Corner Prompts, Timer, and Calm-Down Corner Props
Prep
Prepare and Review Materials
5 minutes
- Print and laminate the Emotion Thermometer Poster
- Print and cut out the Choice Scenario Cards Set
- Print copies of the Kindness Reflection Worksheet
- Print and arrange the Calm-Down Corner Prompts
- Gather calm-down corner props and test the timer
Step 1
Warm-Up & Check-In
5 minutes
- Greet the student warmly and invite them to sit in the calm-down corner
- Ask, “How are you feeling right now?” and listen to their answer
- Encourage the student to name one emotion they feel most strongly today
Step 2
Introducing the Emotion Thermometer
7 minutes
- Show the Emotion Thermometer Poster and explain the scale from calm to very upset
- Ask the student to point to where they think their current feeling falls on the thermometer
- Discuss one strategy they could use if they feel at the top of the thermometer (e.g., deep breathing)
Step 3
Exploring Choices through Scenarios
8 minutes
- Shuffle and place the Choice Scenario Cards Set face down
- Take turns picking a card, reading the scenario aloud (e.g., “You see a friend sitting alone.”)
- Ask the student to sort each card into “Good Choice” or “Not the Best Choice” piles
- Discuss why certain choices show kindness and help everyone feel better
Step 4
Kindness Reflection Activity
7 minutes
- Hand the student the Kindness Reflection Worksheet
- Ask them to draw or write about a time they showed kindness to someone recently
- Prompt them to describe how the act made them and the other person feel
- Encourage them to think of one new kind action they can do today
Step 5
Calm-Down Strategy Practice & Closing
3 minutes
- Lead the student in a one-minute deep-breathing exercise using the Calm-Down Corner Prompts
- Set the timer for one minute and guide them through inhale–hold–exhale breaths
- Ask, “How do you feel now compared to before?”
- Summarize key takeaways: naming feelings, making kind choices, and calming down when upset
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Slide Deck
Kindness & Calm Choices
Welcome! Today we will:
• Learn about our feelings
• Practice making kind choices
• Try a calm-down activity
Let’s have fun and be kind to ourselves and others!
Welcome the student and introduce our session on being kind and staying calm. Explain that today we will learn ways to understand our feelings, make good choices, and calm down when we feel upset.
Understanding Feelings
How big is your feeling?
- Look at the Emotion Thermometer Poster.
- Point to how you feel right now.
- If you’re at the top, try a calming strategy like deep breaths.
Show the Emotion Thermometer Poster. Point to each level (calm, a little upset, very upset). Ask the student to place their finger where they feel today. Use simple examples (e.g., “When you feel this high, we take deep breaths.”).
Making Kind Choices
Let’s sort choices!
- Pick a card from the Choice Scenario Cards Set.
- Read the scenario together (e.g., “You see a friend sitting alone.”).
- Decide: Good Choice 👍 or Not the Best Choice 🚫
- Talk about why kindness matters.
Shuffle the scenario cards and let the student pick one at a time. Read it aloud and help them decide if it’s a good choice or not. Discuss why kindness helps everyone.
Reflecting on Kindness
Draw or write:
• A time you showed kindness on the Kindness Reflection Worksheet.
• How did it make you and the other person feel?
• What’s one new kind thing you can do today?
Hand the worksheet to the student. Encourage drawing if they prefer. Ask them to share their story of kindness and how it felt. Then brainstorm one new kind act for today.
Calm-Down Breathing
Let’s breathe together:
- Find your Calm-Down Corner Prompts.
- Inhale for 3 seconds 🌬️
- Hold for 2 seconds 🤚
- Exhale for 4 seconds 💨
- Repeat for 1 minute (use a timer).
Notice how you feel now!
Guide the student through a simple breathing exercise using the Calm-Down Corner Prompts. Set the timer for one minute. Compare how they feel before and after. Close by reviewing our three big ideas.
Worksheet
Emotion Thermometer Poster
Look at the scale below to help you figure out how big your feeling is. Point to or color in the face that shows how you feel.
| Level | Feeling | Emoji | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Very Upset | 😠 | I feel angry or out of control. |
| 4 | Upset | 😢 | I feel sad, frustrated, or tense. |
| 3 | A Little Upset | 😕 | I feel a bit bothered or nervous. |
| 2 | Calm | 🙂 | I feel okay, relaxed, or comfortable. |
| 1 | Very Calm | 😌 | I feel happy, peaceful, or content. |
Keep this poster nearby so you can check in with yourself anytime you notice a strong feeling. If you find yourself at levels 4 or 5, try taking some deep breaths or visiting the calm-down corner to help you feel better!
Activity
Choice Scenario Cards Set
Use these cards to practice sorting into “Good Choice” 👍 or “Not the Best Choice” 🚫. Shuffle and place face down. Read each card, then decide which pile it belongs in and discuss why.
- You share your snack with a classmate who forgot theirs.
- You invite someone sitting alone to play with you.
- You help a friend pick up books they dropped.
- You say “please” and “thank you” when someone helps you.
- You take a toy from a friend without asking.
- You push someone to get to the front of the line.
- You call someone a mean name during recess.
- You refuse to say sorry when you accidentally bump into someone.
Worksheet
Kindness Reflection Worksheet
Think about a time you showed kindness to someone. Use the space below to draw and write about your experience.
1. Draw a Picture
Draw a picture of the kind thing you did here:
2. What did you do to show kindness?
3. How did you feel when you were kind?
4. How do you think the other person felt?
5. What is one new kind thing you can do today?
Activity
Calm-Down Corner Prompts
Use these steps when you need a minute to calm down and feel your best.
1. Check Your Feeling
- Look at the Emotion Thermometer Poster.
- Point to or color the face that shows how you feel right now.
2. 5-4-3-2-1 Senses Grounding
Write or say out loud:
- 5 things I see:
- 4 things I can touch:
- 3 things I hear:
- 2 things I smell:
- 1 thing I taste:
3. Breathing Exercise
- Inhale slowly for 4 seconds. 🌬️
- Hold your breath for 2 seconds. 🤚
- Exhale gently for 6 seconds. 💨
- Repeat 3 times or until you feel calmer.
4. Muscle Relaxation
- Close your fists and squeeze tight for 5 seconds.
- Let your hands open and feel your muscles relax.
5. Positive Self-Talk
Say to yourself:
- "I can feel calm and safe."
- "It’s okay to take my time."
- "My feelings are real and I can handle them."
Keep these prompts in your calm-down corner so you can use them anytime you need a break or a moment to feel better!