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Kindness Counts

Lesson Plan

Kindness Counts

Reflect on kindness and words' impact

This lesson aims to help 3rd graders understand the importance of kindness and the impact of words on others. Through a hands-on activity, discussion, and circle activity, students will learn how to respond when someone is hurt and how to foster a positive classroom community. This lesson is crucial for developing empathy and communication skills, especially for students with basic English proficiency.

Audience

3rd graders

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Restorative Practices, Collaborative Learning, Active Learning

Materials

Paper hearts, Discussion Questions, Circle Discussion Guidelines, and Pencils

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

  • Begin with a brief discussion on what kindness means.
  • Ask students to share examples of kind actions they have experienced or witnessed.

Step 2

Paper Heart Activity

10 mins

  • Distribute paper hearts to each student.
  • Instruct students to say hurtful words to the paper heart and then crumple it.
  • Afterward, ask them to try to smooth the paper heart back out.
  • Facilitate a reflection on how the paper heart represents a person and how words can leave lasting marks.

Step 3

Guided Discussion

7 mins

  • Use the discussion questions to facilitate a conversation about the activity.
  • Encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings about the impact of words.

Step 4

Circle Discussion

5 mins

  • Arrange students in a circle to discuss how they can treat each other with kindness.
  • Guide students to collaboratively create a classroom agreement on kindness.
  • Record the agreed-upon statements on a poster to display in the classroom.

Step 5

Closure

3 mins

  • Invite a few students to share their thoughts on the classroom agreement.
  • Conclude with a group affirmation about committing to kindness in the classroom.
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Discussion

Kindness Discussion

A guided discussion to help students reflect on the impact of words and how to respond to hurtful situations.

What did you learn from the activity about the power of words?

Encourage students to think about how the crumpled paper heart represents the lasting impact of hurtful words.







How can we show kindness to our school space?

Encourage students to think about actions like keeping the classroom clean, respecting school property, and organizing materials.







How can we make sure our classroom is a kind and supportive place?

Guide students to brainstorm ideas and actions that promote kindness and support.







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Discussion

Circle Discussion Guidelines

Guidelines to facilitate a circle discussion where students collaboratively create a classroom agreement on kindness.

What should our classroom agreement on kindness include?

Guide students to agree on key statements that reflect their commitment to kindness. Examples include:

  • We agree to use kind words and encourage each other.
  • We agree to help each other when someone is in need.
  • We agree to respect each other's differences.
  • We agree to apologize when we hurt someone's feelings.
  • We agree to speak up if we see someone being treated unkindly.
  • We agree to celebrate each other's successes and efforts.







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Kindness Counts • Lenny Learning