Kindness Compass

Lynn Pollard

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Kindness Compass Plan

Guide an individual student through four scaffolded, 15-minute sessions to identify emotions, practice empathy, plan and carry out kind acts, and reflect on their impact.

Many students struggle to recognize and respond to others’ feelings. This targeted series builds social-emotional awareness, compassionate behaviors, and self-reflection through repetition and guided practice.

Audience

Elementary students with empathy challenges

Time

4 sessions × 15 minutes each

Approach

Scaffolded, interactive activities with guided reflection.

Materials

Kindness Reflection Worksheet, and - Kindness Scavenger Hunt Game

Prep

Review Materials & Setup

10 minutes

Print or load copies of Kindness Reflection Worksheet.
Prepare the Kindness Scavenger Hunt Game (cards or digital board).
Review session objectives and note scaffolding strategies for student support.
Gather any visuals (emotion faces, scenario images) for Sessions 1–2.

Step 1

Session 1: Introducing Kindness

15 minutes

Begin by defining “kindness” in simple terms; use emotion faces to illustrate positive feelings.
Model two short story examples: one kind act, one unkind act; discuss how each makes people feel.
Provide sentence starters (e.g., “When I am kind, I feel…”).
Student completes first section of the Kindness Reflection Worksheet with support; repeat prompts as needed.

Step 2

Session 2: Understanding Others’ Feelings

15 minutes

Present 3–4 brief scenarios (e.g., a friend falling down); ask student to identify how the other person feels.
Use guided questions: “How do you know they feel this way?” “What would help them feel better?”
Student fills in emotion and response for each scenario on the Kindness Reflection Worksheet.
Offer scaffolding (visual cues, reread scenarios) and repeat examples until comfortable.

Step 3

Session 3: Planning Kind Acts

15 minutes

Introduce the Kindness Scavenger Hunt Game: student selects 3 simple tasks (e.g., compliment a classmate).
Discuss how each task can make someone feel supported.
Student uses the worksheet to list chosen acts and draw or write how and when they’ll do them.
Provide choice boards or word banks for additional support; repeat planning prompts if needed.

Step 4

Session 4: Reflecting & Committing

15 minutes

Review the acts the student completed from the scavenger hunt game.
Ask reflective questions: “Which act felt best?” “How did the other person respond?”
Student completes final section of the Kindness Reflection Worksheet with reflections and sets one new weekly kindness goal.
Reinforce success with positive feedback; revisit earlier examples if the student needs further clarification.

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Worksheet

Kindness Reflection Worksheet

Name: ________________________ Date: ________________________

Session 1: Introducing Kindness

In your own words, what does kindness mean?

When I am kind, I feel…

Write your own sentence about kindness using the starter below:“When I am kind, I feel __________________________.”

Session 2: Understanding Others’ Feelings

For each scenario below, answer:
a) How do you think the person feels?
b) How do you know?
c) What could you do to help them feel better?

Scenario A: Your friend falls on the playground and looks upset.
Feeling: __________________________

How do you know? __________________________

What could you do? __________________________

Scenario B: A classmate is sitting alone at lunch.
Feeling: __________________________

How do you know? __________________________

What could you do? __________________________

Scenario C: Someone drops all their pencils, and they roll away.
Feeling: __________________________

How do you know? __________________________

What could you do? __________________________

Session 3: Planning Kind Acts

Choose three tasks from the Kindness Scavenger Hunt Game. For each task, write what you will do and when/where you will do it.

Task 1:

How and when will you do it?

Task 2:

How and when will you do it?

Task 3:

How and when will you do it?

Session 4: Reflecting & Committing

Which kind act felt best to you? Why?

How did the other person respond to your act of kindness?

Set a new weekly kindness goal for yourself:

Game

Kindness Scavenger Hunt Game

Objective:
Help students choose simple, everyday acts of kindness and complete them to build positive social connections.

Materials:

A printed or digital copy of this task list (cut into cards if desired).
A clipboard or worksheet to record which tasks were chosen and when.

How to Play:

Review the List: Look over the kindness tasks below.
Choose Three Tasks: Pick any three acts that feel doable and meaningful.
Plan It Out: On your Kindness Reflection Worksheet, write down each task, when/where you will do it, and how you think it will help someone feel better.
Complete and Reflect: Carry out each act. Afterward, use Session 4’s reflection prompts on the worksheet to think about how it felt and how the other person responded.

Kindness Tasks

Pay someone a compliment.
Help a classmate with their schoolwork.
Offer to share your supplies (pencils, erasers, etc.).
Invite someone who’s alone to join your game or conversation.
Write a short thank-you note to a friend or adult.
Ask a classmate how their day is going and really listen.
Help pick up items someone accidentally dropped.
Say “good morning” or “hello” to three different people.
Share a favorite book or story with someone.
Give someone a high-five or friendly wave.

Extension Ideas (optional):

Draw a small picture or use stickers to decorate each completed task on your worksheet.
After finishing a task, tell the teacher or a peer about how it went and how you felt.
Repeat any favorite tasks throughout the week to build a kindness habit.