Lesson Plan
Kindness Economy Blueprint
Students will understand and implement a classroom-based “kindness economy” by earning, tracking, and spending kindness coins to reinforce pro-social behavior, practice responsibility, and build community.
This lesson fosters positive classroom culture, encourages responsibility and citizenship, and leverages Tier 1 positive reinforcement to boost students’ pro-social behaviors.
Audience
8th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Hands-on token economy simulation
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Kindness Economy Blueprint to understand lesson flow
- Preview the Coin System Introduction Slides and customize examples for your class
- Print copies of the Coin Ledger Worksheet for each student
- Prepare classroom store items and pricing according to the Classroom Store Guide
- Familiarize yourself with the Behavior Valuation Rubric for consistent coin awards
Step 1
Warm-Up Discussion
5 minutes
- Pose the question: “What makes our classroom community strong?”
- Solicit 2–3 student responses and link to examples of helpful or kind behaviors
- Introduce the idea of reinforcing those behaviors with a token system
Step 2
Introduce Kindness Economy
10 minutes
- Display the Coin System Introduction Slides
- Explain how students earn, track, and spend kindness coins
- Review the Behavior Valuation Rubric to show how specific behaviors map to coin values
- Answer student questions
Step 3
Earning Coins Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute the Coin Ledger Worksheet
- Present 3 classroom scenarios (from slides) and have students identify the behavior and assign coin values using the rubric
- Share answers as a group and clarify rubric criteria
Step 4
Spending Coins Simulation
10 minutes
- Introduce the Classroom Store Guide
- Give each student a hypothetical balance and let them choose items to “purchase” from the store list
- Students record transactions on their ledgers and calculate remaining balances
Step 5
Reflection and Closure
10 minutes
- Facilitate a brief reflection: “How might earning and spending kindness coins change our classroom?”
- Ask volunteers to share insights or suggestions
- Outline next steps: daily coin tracking, weekly store hours, and ongoing class goals
Slide Deck
Kindness Economy: A Token of Appreciation
• Earn coins for helpful and kind behaviors
• Track your balance on a personal ledger
• Spend coins on classroom rewards and privileges
Welcome students! Today we introduce our new Kindness Economy, where pro-social actions earn ‘kindness coins’ you can spend in our classroom store. Use this slide to set the tone and explain why positive reinforcement matters.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of today, you will be able to:
- Describe how our Kindness Economy token system works
- Use the Behavior Valuation Rubric to assign coin values to actions
- Record coin earnings and spending on your ledger
- Plan how you’ll earn and save for rewards
Review these objectives aloud so students know what to expect and stay focused throughout the lesson.
What Is a Kindness Economy?
• A classroom economy using kindness coins as positive reinforcement
• Coins are currency for pro-social behaviors: helping peers, showing respect, participating
• Encourages responsibility, citizenship, and a stronger community
Define the concept. Emphasize that this is a classroom community tool, not a competition, and that everyone benefits when kindness increases.
How It Works
- Earn Coins: Notice and perform kind behaviors defined in our rubric
- Track Coins: Log each transaction on your Coin Ledger Worksheet
- Spend Coins: Choose items or privileges from the Classroom Store Guide
Walk through each step slowly. Ask for examples of earning, tracking, and spending coins to keep students engaged.
Behavior Valuation Rubric
• +1 Coin: Greeting classmates, picking up dropped items
• +2 Coins: Helping with group work, sharing materials
• +3 Coins: Resolving a conflict peacefully, mentoring a peer
• Consistent application ensures fairness and clarity
Show the rubric table visually (teacher may project a handout). Highlight sample behaviors and encourage questions about fair valuation.
Sample Behaviors & Coin Values
Scenario 1: Sarah helps Alex carry books (+2 Coins)
Scenario 2: Jamal quietly cleans up lab supplies (+1 Coin)
Scenario 3: Maya mediates a disagreement between friends (+3 Coins)
Provide concrete examples. Consider acting out one scenario with a volunteer to illustrate the process of assigning coins.
System Logistics & Next Steps
• Daily Tracking: Log earnings/spending before class ends
• Weekly Store Hours: Thursdays during homeroom
• Ongoing Goals: Class coin goals lead to group rewards
• Next: Practice assigning coins in scenarios
Explain logistical details: when and where they record coins, store hours, and how often they can shop. Emphasize accuracy and honesty.
Ready to Start?
In the next activity, you will:
- Practice assigning coin values to behaviors
- Simulate spending coins in our classroom store
Get your Coin Ledger Worksheet ready!
Transition to the interactive portion. Encourage excitement for the upcoming activities.
Worksheet
Coin Ledger Worksheet
Part 1: Daily Transaction Log
Record each time you earn or spend kindness coins. Keep your balance updated.
| Date | Behavior Description | Coin Change (+/-) | New Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
Part 2: Scenario Practice
Fill in the ledger entry for each scenario below. Calculate the new balance assuming you start from a balance of __ coins.
Scenario 1: Sarah helps Alex carry books (+2 Coins)
| Date | Behavior Description | Coin Change (+/-) | New Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
Scenario 2: Jamal quietly cleans up lab supplies (+1 Coin)
| Date | Behavior Description | Coin Change (+/-) | New Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
Scenario 3: Maya mediates a disagreement between friends (+3 Coins)
| Date | Behavior Description | Coin Change (+/-) | New Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
Project Guide
Classroom Store Guide
1. Purpose & Overview
This guide helps you run a weekly in-class “store” where students spend the kindness coins they’ve earned. It reinforces responsibility, math skills, and positive behavior through a fun, student-driven marketplace.
2. Store Setup & Roles
- Store Manager (rotates weekly student volunteer): Organizes items, greets customers.
- Cashier (rotates): Checks student ledgers for balances, processes transactions.
- Record-Keeper (rotates): Logs total coins spent and remaining class balance summary.
- Teacher: Oversees fairness, restocks items, approves price changes.
Materials Needed:
- Container or “cash register” box for kindness coins
- Display table or shelf for rewards
- Printed Reward Catalog (use this guide)
- Transaction slips or receipt log
3. Store Hours
- When: Every Thursday during homeroom (10–15 minutes)
- Where: Classroom front table or designated “store corner”
- How Often: Each student may visit once per week
4. Reward Catalog & Pricing
| Reward Item | Cost (Coins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Choose classroom music playlist | 2 | 5-minute song break |
| Pencil or fun eraser | 3 | From the treasure box |
| Homework pass (one assignment) | 5 | Expires next week |
| Extra 10-minute recess | 6 | Conducted with teacher permission |
| Sit by a friend for the day | 4 | Pre-approved seating arrangement |
| Teacher reads a book of your choice | 7 | During independent reading time |
| Swap seats with a classmate | 3 | Peer-approved swap |
| Donate 5 coins to class pizza party | 5 | Helps class unlock group reward |
| Classroom game day (10 minutes) | 10 | Whole class benefit if coins pooled |
| Custom reward (teacher-approved) | ? | Price set by teacher using rubric |
5. Transaction Protocol
- Student selects desired item(s) from the catalog.
- Cashier verifies student’s current balance on their Coin Ledger Worksheet.
- Deduct coins and record transaction:
- Student logs: date, item, cost, new balance
- Cashier initials or signs receipt log
- Record-Keeper updates class summary sheet (optional group goal tracking).
- Store Manager helps hand out physical items or privileges.
6. Maintenance & Rotation
- Rotate Store Manager, Cashier, and Record-Keeper roles every week so every student practices leadership and math skills.
- Replenish small prizes (pencils, erasers) bi-weekly; review medium/large rewards monthly.
- Adjust pricing or add new items based on student interest and rubric guidelines.
Use this guide to keep your Kindness Economy store running smoothly and fairly. Encourage honesty, celebrate successes, and watch your classroom community flourish!
Rubric
Behavior Valuation Rubric
Use this rubric to assign kindness coins consistently and fairly. Match observed behaviors to the appropriate coin value based on description and examples.
| Coin Value | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| +1 Coin | Simple acts of courtesy and attentiveness. Small gestures that show respect and care for others. | • Greeting classmates warmly |
| • Picking up items classmates drop | ||
| • Holding the door open for someone | ||
| • Listening attentively when a peer speaks | ||
| +2 Coins | Collaborative support behaviors that directly help others or improve the learning environment. | • Sharing supplies without being asked |
| • Helping a peer understand classwork | ||
| • Volunteering to distribute materials | ||
| • Assisting with classroom cleanup | ||
| +3 Coins | Leadership, advocacy, or conflict-resolution actions that foster community well-being. | • Mediating a disagreement between classmates |
| • Mentoring a peer on a challenging task | ||
| • Organizing a small class activity or group project | ||
| • Noticing and addressing safety or inclusivity concerns |
How to Use
- Observe the student behavior.
- Identify which description best matches the action.
- Award the corresponding number of coins.
- Record the transaction on the Coin Ledger Worksheet.
Consistent application of this rubric helps maintain fairness and clarity in our Kindness Economy.