Lesson Plan
Kindness Counts Lesson Plan
Students will identify and practice acts of kindness and respect by discussing examples, acting out scenarios, and reflecting on how kindness strengthens our classroom community.
Building kindness and respect fosters positive relationships, enhances social–emotional skills, and creates a supportive classroom environment for young learners.
Audience
Kindergarten
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Interactive scenarios, hands-on activities, reflection
Materials
- Chart Paper, - Kindness Scenario Cards, - Kindness Coloring Sheet, - Stickers, and - Crayons
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Print and cut out Kindness Scenario Cards
- Print enough copies of the Kindness Coloring Sheet
- Gather crayons and stickers
- Set up chart paper on display area
Step 1
Introduction
2 minutes
- Gather students in a circle in front of the chart paper
- Ask: “What does kindness mean?” and record responses on the chart
- Briefly explain that respect is caring for others’ feelings
Step 2
Discuss Scenarios
3 minutes
- Show a few Kindness Scenario Cards
- Read each card aloud (e.g., “Someone falls—what can you do?”)
- Discuss simple respectful actions (helping, saying kind words)
Step 3
Hands-On Activity
7 minutes
- Give each child a Kindness Coloring Sheet and crayons
- Ask students to color a scene showing an act of kindness or respect
- Walk around and prompt discussion: “Who will you help today?”
Step 4
Reflection & Closure
3 minutes
- Invite a few volunteers to share their drawings and explain their act of kindness
- Affix stickers next to each child’s name on the chart as a “Kindness Star”
- Reinforce that small acts of kindness help everyone feel happy and safe
Slide Deck
Kindness Counts!
A Kindergarten Lesson on Kindness and Respect
Welcome, everyone! Today we'll learn what kindness and respect mean. Let's have fun talking and drawing together.
What Is Kindness?
Tell me: What does kindness mean?
Introduce the idea of kindness. Ask: “What does kindness mean?” Record answers on chart paper. Explain that respect is caring for others’ feelings.
Kindness Scenarios
• Someone falls on the playground
• A friend looks sad
• You see someone alone
Show two or three Kindness Scenario Cards.
Read each card (e.g., “Someone falls—what can you do?”).
Discuss simple respectful actions like helping or saying kind words.
Hands-On Activity
Draw and color an act of kindness or respect.
Hand out the Kindness Coloring Sheet and crayons to each child.
Ask students to draw and color a time they can show kindness or respect.
Walk around to prompt: “Who will you help today?”
Share & Reflect
Who will you help today?
Invite a few volunteers to show their pictures and explain their kind act.
Place a sticker next to each child’s name on the Kindness Star chart.
Reinforce: “Small acts of kindness help everyone feel happy and safe!”
Activity
Kindness Scenario Cards
Use these cards to spark discussion and role-play. Show one card at a time, read the scenario aloud, then ask students:
• “What happened?”
• “How could you show kindness or respect?”
• “What might the person feel?”
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Card 1: Playground Fall
Someone falls on the playground and looks hurt.
Prompt: What can you do to help?
---
Card 2: Crying Friend
A friend is sitting alone and crying.
Prompt: How can you make them feel better?
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Card 3: New Student
A new classmate is eating lunch by themselves.
Prompt: How could you include them?
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Card 4: Dropped Crayons
A classmate drops all their crayons on the floor.
Prompt: What kind thing can you do?
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Card 5: Forgotten Snack
A friend forgot their snack and looks sad.
Prompt: How might you help them?
---
Card 6: Struggling with Work
A classmate is stuck on a puzzle and feels frustrated.
Prompt: What respectful help can you offer?
Worksheet
Kindness Coloring Sheet
Draw a picture of you showing kindness or respect. Use your crayons to color your picture!
What act of kindness did you draw? Tell your teacher!
Rubric
Kindness Lesson Rubric
Scoring Scale
• 4 – Exemplary 🌟
• 3 – Proficient ✅
• 2 – Developing 🛠️
• 1 – Beginning 🔍
Rubric Criteria
| Criteria | 4 (Exemplary) | 3 (Proficient) | 2 (Developing) | 1 (Beginning) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding of Kindness & Respect | - Clearly defines kindness and respect in own words - Gives two or more concrete examples (e.g., helping a friend, using kind words) | - Defines kindness or respect in own words - Gives one clear example | - Attempts a definition with teacher support - Example may be vague or needs prompting | - Unable to define kindness or respect - Cannot give an example even with support |
| Participation in Discussion & Scenarios | - Volunteers ideas for most scenarios on Kindness Scenario Cards - Listens and builds on classmates’ ideas respectfully | - Responds to questions when called on - Offers a kind solution for at least two scenarios | - Participates when prompted for one scenario - Idea may need clarification | - Little to no participation - Does not offer ideas or needs constant prompting |
| Demonstration in Coloring Activity | - Creates a detailed drawing showing a kind act on the Kindness Coloring Sheet - Labels or points out key parts of the picture | - Draws a clear, recognizable picture of a kind act | - Drawing hints at kindness but lacks detail - May need help to connect picture to kindness theme | - Drawing does not show an act of kindness or is unrelated to the lesson |
| Reflection & Sharing | - Shares drawing confidently - Explains who they will help and why (“I will help Sam pick up crayons because…”) | - Shares picture with some detail (“I’m helping my friend.”) | - Shares only with teacher prompting - Gives a short or unclear explanation | - Does not share or cannot explain their drawing |
Use this rubric to track each child’s growth in identifying kindness, participating in discussions, demonstrating acts of kindness through art, and reflecting on how they can care for others.