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Kindness Countdown

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Lesson Plan

Kindness Countdown Lesson Plan

Students will reflect on and share memorable acts of kindness they experienced or performed this year and collaboratively create a chart celebrating these moments while setting positive intentions for the upcoming year.

Reflecting on kindness reinforces social-emotional skills, fosters empathy, and strengthens classroom community by recognizing and celebrating positive behaviors, preparing students to continue these habits next year.

Audience

3rd Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection and collaborative chart creation.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the Kindness Reflection Worksheet and Kindness Countdown Chart.
  • Gather chart paper and draw a countdown from 10 to 1, leaving space at the bottom for next-year intentions.
  • Print and make copies of the Kindness Reflection Worksheet.
  • Place sticky notes, markers, and materials at each student station.

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle or meeting area.
  • Explain that they will reflect on acts of kindness from this year and celebrate as a class.
  • Display the Kindness Countdown Chart and model placing one act of kindness on it.

Step 2

Individual Reflection

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Kindness Reflection Worksheet and several sticky notes per student.
  • Ask students to think of 2–3 acts of kindness they experienced or performed and write each act on a separate sticky note.
  • Encourage clear, specific descriptions (e.g., “I helped a friend tie their shoe”).

Step 3

Group Countdown Activity

12 minutes

  • Invite students to place their sticky notes on the countdown chart, starting at 10 and moving down.
  • As each note is placed, read it aloud and prompt a brief discussion: Why was this act meaningful?
  • Celebrate the variety of kindness moments and highlight common themes.

Step 4

Intentions & Closing

6 minutes

  • Ask students to brainstorm one kindness goal for next year (e.g., helping a new student).
  • Have each student share their goal aloud and write it on a sticky note to place at the bottom of the chart.
  • Thank students for their contributions, recap key themes, and encourage them to carry these intentions into the new school year.
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Slide Deck

Kindness Countdown

A fun end-of-year activity to reflect on acts of kindness and set positive goals for next year.

Welcome everyone! Today we’re going to celebrate all the kindness we’ve shared this year and look ahead to more kindness next year. Use this slide to introduce the lesson and get students excited.

Our Objective

• Reflect on 2–3 acts of kindness you gave or received this year
• Share them with the class
• Create a kindness countdown from 10 to 1
• Set a kindness goal for next year

Explain the purpose: reflecting helps us appreciate one another and grow our classroom community. Read the objective aloud.

What Counts as Kindness?

• Helping a friend tie their shoes
• Letting someone go first in line
• Sharing your crayons with a classmate
• Encouraging someone who felt sad

Model a couple of examples: “I helped a friend who dropped their pencils,” or “A classmate shared their snack with me.” Encourage clear, specific examples.

Individual Reflection

  1. Think of 2–3 acts of kindness you experienced or performed
  2. Write each act on its own sticky note
  3. Use clear, specific language

Distribute the Kindness Reflection Worksheet and sticky notes. Circulate and support students who need help wording their acts.

Group Countdown Activity

• Place sticky notes on the Kindness Countdown Chart from 10 down to 1
• Share each act with the class
• Celebrate the moments and notice patterns

Show the chart paper with the countdown drawn. Invite students one at a time to place their notes starting at 10. Read each aloud and ask: “Why was this meaningful?”

Intentions & Closing

  1. Brainstorm one kindness goal for next year (e.g., help a new student)
  2. Share aloud with the class
  3. Place your goal at the bottom of the chart

Ask students to think ahead: what is one kindness goal for next year? Write it on a sticky note. Invite volunteers to share before adding to the bottom of the chart.

Thank You!

Keep spreading kindness all year long!

Wrap up by highlighting key themes, thanking students, and encouraging them to keep practicing kindness every day.

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Worksheet

Kindness Reflection Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: ___________

Instructions

Think of 2–3 acts of kindness you experienced or performed this year. For each act, write a clear description, who was involved, and why it was meaningful to you.

1. Act of Kindness #1

What happened? Who was involved? How did it make you feel?









2. Act of Kindness #2

What happened? Who was involved? How did it make you feel?









3. Act of Kindness #3 (optional)

What happened? Who was involved? How did it make you feel?









Looking Ahead

Kindness Goal for Next Year:

Think of one way you’d like to show kindness to others next school year. Describe your goal below and how you plan to do it.







When you’ve finished, use your sticky notes to share these acts on our Kindness Countdown Chart!

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Worksheet

Kindness Countdown Chart

Instructions: As a class, place your sticky notes describing acts of kindness next to the numbers below. We’ll count down from 10 to 1 and celebrate each moment!

10.





9.





8.





7.





6.





5.





4.





3.





2.





1.





Kindness Intentions for Next Year

When we finish our countdown, each of you will share one kindness goal for next year. Write or stick your note below:









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