Lesson Plan
Kindness Counts!
Students will be able to define kindness, identify examples of kind actions, and demonstrate kind behaviors towards others.
Teaching kindness helps children develop empathy, build positive relationships, and contribute to a supportive and respectful classroom and community. It's a foundational social-emotional skill.
Audience
Kindergarten-2nd Grade
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual aids, and hands-on activities.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Kindness Counts! Slide Deck, Kindness Actions Activity Cards, and Spin the Wheel of Kindness Game
Prep
Gather Materials & Review Content
5 minutes
Gather Materials & Review Content
- Review all generated materials: Kindness Counts! Lesson Plan, Kindness Counts! Slide Deck, Kindness Counts! Script, Kindness Actions Activity, and Spin the Wheel of Kindness Game.
- Ensure projector/whiteboard is set up for the slide deck.
- Print and cut out the Kindness Actions Activity Cards if playing the activity as a physical card sort.
- Prepare the Spin the Wheel of Kindness Game (either physically or digitally).
- Have markers or pens ready for any impromptu writing on the board.
Step 1
Introduction: What is Kindness?
3 minutes
Introduction: What is Kindness?
- Begin by asking students what they think kindness means. (Teacher to follow Kindness Counts! Script and use Kindness Counts! Slide Deck - Slide 1-2)
- Guide a brief discussion, highlighting that kindness is about being friendly, generous, and considerate.
- Explain that kindness makes everyone feel good.
Step 2
Exploring Kind Actions
5 minutes
Exploring Kind Actions
- Show examples of kind actions using the Kindness Counts! Slide Deck (Slides 3-5).
- Engage students in the Kindness Actions Activity by presenting scenarios and asking them to identify if the action is kind or not. (Teacher to follow Kindness Counts! Script)
- Encourage students to share their own ideas of kind actions they can do at school and at home.
Step 3
Game Time: Spin the Wheel of Kindness
5 minutes
Game Time: Spin the Wheel of Kindness
- Introduce the Spin the Wheel of Kindness Game. (Teacher to follow Kindness Counts! Script and use Kindness Counts! Slide Deck - Slide 6).
- Have students take turns spinning the wheel (or picking a card) and acting out or describing the kind action.
- Facilitate positive reinforcement and discussion for each action.
Step 4
Conclusion: Be a Kindness Hero!
2 minutes
Conclusion: Be a Kindness Hero!
- Review the main points about kindness. (Teacher to follow Kindness Counts! Script and use Kindness Counts! Slide Deck - Slide 7)
- Encourage students to practice kindness every day and be 'Kindness Heroes' in their school and homes.
- End with a positive affirmation about the power of kindness.
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Slide Deck
Kindness Counts!
Making the world a happier place, one kind act at a time!
Greet students warmly. Introduce the topic: "Today we're going to talk about something super important that makes everyone feel good: kindness!"
What is Kindness?
Being friendly, generous, and considerate.
Making others feel happy and cared for!
Ask students: "What do you think kindness means? What does it look like?" Listen to their ideas. Guide them towards a simple definition. "Kindness is being friendly, generous, and considerate to others. It's about doing nice things and making people feel good!"
Kind Action: Sharing!
When you share your toys or snacks, you're being kind!
Show the image. Ask: "What is happening here? Is this a kind action? Why or why not?" Discuss how sharing helps everyone have fun.
Kind Action: Helping!
Helping a friend who drops their books or needs a hand is super kind!
Show the image. Ask: "What about helping a friend? Is that kind? How does it make your friend feel?" Emphasize that helping can be big or small actions.
Kind Action: Listening!
When someone is talking, listening carefully shows you care and are being kind!
Show the image. Ask: "What is being shown here? Why is listening an important part of kindness?" Explain that listening shows respect and makes others feel heard.
Game Time: Spin the Wheel of Kindness!
Let's see what kind act we'll do next!
Introduce the game. "Now let's play a game! We're going to spin the 'Wheel of Kindness' and practice some kind actions!" Refer to Spin the Wheel of Kindness Game.
Be a Kindness Hero!
You have the power to make the world a kinder, happier place!
Conclude the lesson. "Remember, every kind act, no matter how small, makes a big difference. Let's all try to be Kindness Heroes today and every day! You can make our classroom, our school, and even your homes happier places!"
Script
Kindness Counts! Script
Introduction: What is Kindness? (3 minutes)
(Teacher displays Kindness Counts! Slide Deck - Slide 1)
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about a very special word that can make our classroom, our school, and even our homes much happier places. That word is... kindness!"
(Teacher displays Kindness Counts! Slide Deck - Slide 2)
"What do you think kindness means? When you hear the word 'kindness,' what comes to your mind? Turn and tell your neighbor one idea about what kindness means."
(Pause for 30 seconds for students to discuss.)
"Alright, let's hear some amazing ideas! Who would like to share what they discussed?"
(Call on a few students to share. Affirm their responses.)
"You've got some great ideas! Kindness is all about being friendly, generous, and considerate. It means doing nice things for others and making them feel good and cared for. When we are kind, we spread happiness, and it makes everyone's day a little brighter!"
Exploring Kind Actions (5 minutes)
"Now, let's look at some examples of kindness. I'm going to show you some pictures, and I want you to tell me if the action is kind or not, and why."
(Teacher displays Kindness Counts! Slide Deck - Slide 3: Sharing)
"Look at this picture. What do you see happening? Is sharing your toys with a friend a kind action? Thumbs up for yes, thumbs down for no!"
(Pause for responses.)
"Absolutely! Sharing is a wonderful way to be kind. When you share, everyone gets to have fun, and it shows you care about your friends."
(Teacher displays Kindness Counts! Slide Deck - Slide 4: Helping)
"Now, what about this one? Someone dropped their books, and a friend is helping them pick them up. Is helping a friend a kind thing to do? Show me your thumbs!"
(Pause for responses.)
"You got it! Helping others, especially when they need a hand, is a super kind act. It makes people feel supported and happy."
(Teacher displays Kindness Counts! Slide Deck - Slide 5: Listening)
"Here's our last example. Two friends are talking, and one is listening very carefully to the other. Is listening when someone talks a kind action?"
(Pause for responses.)
"Yes, it is! Listening carefully shows that you respect what someone is saying and that their feelings matter to you. That's a big part of kindness!"
"Now, we're going to do a quick activity with our Kindness Actions Activity Cards. I'm going to read out a scenario, and you tell me if it's kind or not!"
(Teacher uses Kindness Actions Activity Cards to present scenarios. For each scenario, ask: "Is this kind? Why or why not?" Encourage discussion.)
"Fantastic job, everyone! You're really good at spotting kindness. What are some kind actions you can do at school today? Or at home?"
(Call on a few students to share ideas.)
Game Time: Spin the Wheel of Kindness! (5 minutes)
"Alright, it's time for a fun game! We're going to play 'Spin the Wheel of Kindness!'"
(Teacher displays Kindness Counts! Slide Deck - Slide 6)
"I have our Spin the Wheel of Kindness Game here. When it's your turn, you'll spin the wheel, and whatever kind action it lands on, you'll either act it out for us, or tell us how you would do that kind action. Who wants to go first?"
(Facilitate the game, calling on several students. Provide positive feedback and encourage thoughtful responses. For example, if it lands on 'Give a compliment,' ask, 'Who would you give a compliment to, and what would you say?')
"Great teamwork, everyone! You are all amazing at thinking about and showing kindness!"
Conclusion: Be a Kindness Hero! (2 minutes)
(Teacher displays Kindness Counts! Slide Deck - Slide 7)
"Wow, we've learned so much about kindness today! We learned that kindness is being friendly, generous, and considerate. We saw how sharing, helping, and listening are all kind actions."
"Remember, every single one of you has the power to be a 'Kindness Hero!' By choosing to be kind, you can make our classroom, our school, and even your homes a better, happier place for everyone."
"So, let's all try our best to be Kindness Heroes every day. How will you show kindness when you leave our lesson today? Keep those kind acts going! Thank you, everyone!"
Activity
Kindness Actions Activity
Instructions: Read each scenario below. Decide if the action is KIND or NOT KIND. Circle your answer and be ready to explain why!
Scenario 1
Maria saw her friend drop all of their crayons. Maria helped her friend pick them up.
Is this KIND or NOT KIND?
Scenario 2
Tom snatched a toy from his sister because he wanted to play with it.
Is this KIND or NOT KIND?
Scenario 3
During story time, Lily listened quietly and let everyone hear the teacher.
Is this KIND or NOT KIND?
Scenario 4
When a new student came to class, Sam smiled and invited them to play.
Is this KIND or NOT KIND?
Scenario 5
Jake called his classmate a mean name when he didn't get his way.
Is this KIND or NOT KIND?
Game
Spin the Wheel of Kindness Game
Instructions for Teacher: Prepare a physical spinner or use an online random picker with the actions listed below. Have students take turns spinning the wheel. When an action is selected, the student should either act it out for the class or describe how they would perform that kind act in real life. Encourage discussion after each turn.
Kindness Actions:
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Give a compliment: Say something nice about a friend.
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Help a friend: Offer to help someone who needs it.
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Share a toy/snack: Offer to share something you have.
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Say "please" and "thank you": Use polite words.
-
Listen to a friend: Pay attention when someone is talking.
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Offer a hug: Give a hug to someone who looks sad (with permission!).
-
Clean up: Help clean up a mess that isn't yours.
-
Draw a picture for someone: Create a drawing to make someone smile.
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Be patient: Wait your turn quietly.
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Forgive someone: Let go of anger if someone made a mistake.
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Invite someone to play: Ask a new friend to join your game.
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Cheer up a sad friend: Ask what's wrong and try to make them feel better.