Kindness: Pass It On! Script

Warm-Up: Kindness KWL Chart (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really important: kindness and compassion. Before we dive in, I've handed out a 'Kindness KWL Chart.' Take a few minutes to fill out the 'K' column – that's 'What I Know about kindness and compassion.' Think about what these words mean to you, what they look like, or examples you've seen. Then, fill out the 'W' column – 'What I Want to Know.' What questions do you have? What are you curious about when it comes to being kind or compassionate?"

(Allow 3-4 minutes for students to complete. Circulate and observe.)

Teacher: "Alright, who would like to share something they know about kindness or compassion?" (Call on a few students.) "Excellent! And what about something you want to know? Any burning questions?" (Take a few questions, acknowledge them, and let students know you'll address them throughout the lesson.)

Introduction & Defining Kindness (10 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 1: Kindness: Pass It On!)

Teacher: "Fantastic start! As you can see on the screen, our lesson today is called 'Kindness: Pass It On!' We're going to explore what it truly means to be kind and compassionate, and how these actions can make a real difference in our world."

(Transition to Slide 2: What is Kindness? What is Compassion?)

Teacher: "Let's really dig into these words. From what we just discussed in our KWL chart, how would you define 'kindness' in your own words? What comes to mind when you hear 'kind'?"

(Listen to student responses, affirming and connecting them to the slide definitions.)

Teacher: "You've got some great ideas! On the slide, you'll see a simple definition: 'Kindness is being friendly, generous, and considerate. It's showing concern for others and performing thoughtful actions.' Can anyone give an example of a thoughtful action that shows kindness?"

(Allow a few responses.)

Teacher: "Now, what about 'compassion'? How is it similar to kindness, and how might it be a little different?"

(Listen to student responses.)

Teacher: "That's right, compassion often involves understanding and feeling for someone who is going through something difficult. Our definition here is: 'Compassion is feeling sympathy and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others, and having a desire to help those in need. It's about understanding and sharing feelings.' So, if you see someone sad, how might you show compassion?"

(Allow a few responses.)

Teacher: "Wonderful examples. Both kindness and compassion are about caring for others and acting on that care."

The Ripple Effect (Reading & Discussion) (15 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 3: The Ripple Effect of Kindness)

Teacher: "Now, I want you to imagine dropping a small pebble into a pond. What happens?" (Students will likely say 'ripples'). "Exactly! Those ripples spread out, getting wider and wider. Kindness works in a very similar way. One small act of kindness can create a 'ripple effect' that touches many people. Today, we're going to read a short piece called 'The Ripple Effect of Kindness' to explore this idea."

(Distribute Reading: The Ripple Effect of Kindness to students.)

Teacher: "Please take the next 5-7 minutes to read this silently. As you read, think about how one act of kindness can lead to many others."

(Allow time for reading.)

(Transition to Slide 4: Reading & Discussion: Empathy in Action and refer to Discussion Guide: Empathy in Action)

Teacher: "Now that you've read about the ripple effect, let's discuss it. Looking at our slide, first, what was the main message or idea of this reading?"

(Facilitate discussion using prompts from the Discussion Guide. Encourage students to connect the reading to their own lives and observations.)

Teacher: "Can anyone think of a time they experienced the ripple effect, either by being kind or by receiving kindness? How did it spread?"

Teacher: "The reading also touched on empathy. How did the characters in the story show empathy towards each other? Why is empathy important for kindness?"

(Continue discussion for the allotted time.)

Activity & Practice: Kindness Chain Reaction (15 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 5: Activity: Kindness Chain Reaction)

Teacher: "To really understand how kindness spreads, we're going to do an activity called 'Kindness Chain Reaction.' I'm going to divide you into small groups. Each group will receive instructions for the Activity: Kindness Chain Reaction. Your task is to brainstorm and create a visual 'chain' of kind acts, where one act directly leads to another. You can draw, write, or use simple words to show the connection. Think about how a small act can grow into something bigger!"

(Divide students into groups, distribute activity instructions and any necessary materials.)

(Circulate, offer guidance, and encourage creative thinking. After 10-12 minutes, bring the class back together.)

Teacher: "Alright, groups, let's see some of these amazing kindness chains! Who would like to share their chain reaction and explain how the kindness spread?"

(Have a few groups share, highlighting the interconnectedness of their acts.)

Teacher: "Fantastic job, everyone! It's clear to see how one thoughtful action can truly kick off a whole wave of goodness."

Applying Kindness: My Kindness Challenge (10 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 6: My Kindness Challenge)

Teacher: "Now that we've talked about it, read about it, and even created a chain, it's time to put kindness into practice! I'm handing out a Worksheet: My Kindness Challenge. Your challenge for the upcoming week is to intentionally perform acts of kindness."

(Distribute worksheets.)

Teacher: "On this worksheet, I want you to brainstorm specific acts of kindness you can do at home, at school, or in your community. Don't just say 'be nice.' Think specifically: 'I will help my sibling with their chores,' or 'I will offer to share my materials with a classmate who needs them.' The more specific, the better! Commit to at least three acts you will try to accomplish."

(Allow 5-7 minutes for students to work on their worksheets.)

Teacher: "Who would like to share one act of kindness they are committing to this week?" (Call on a few students.) "Those are wonderful goals! Remember, even small acts can make a big difference, creating those ripples we talked about. I'll collect these, and we can check back in next week to hear about your experiences."

(Collect worksheets.)

Cool-Down: One Kind Word (5 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 7: Pass It On!)

Teacher: "To wrap up our lesson today, I want everyone to take a moment to reflect. What is one kind word or phrase you will use today, or one kind thought you will carry with you today? It could be something you say to someone, or just a reminder to yourself. We're going to do a quick 'Cool-Down: One Kind Word' activity."

*(Distribute Cool-Down: One Kind Word.)

Teacher: "Write down your one kind word or phrase. If you're comfortable, you can share it aloud with the class, or you can keep it to yourself as a personal commitment. Let's make sure we keep passing on the kindness!"

(Allow students to write and optionally share.)

Teacher: "Thank you all for an excellent discussion and for thinking about how you can bring more kindness and compassion into the world. Remember, every act, no matter how small, has the power to create a positive ripple effect. Have a wonderful day, and pass it on!"

Warm-Up: Kindness KWL Chart

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Before we begin our lesson on kindness and compassion, let's think about what you already know and what you're curious about!

Use the chart below to record your thoughts.

The Ripple Effect of Kindness

Have you ever noticed what happens when you drop a pebble into a still pond? Small circles, called ripples, spread out from where the pebble landed. They get bigger and bigger, moving across the entire surface of the water, even reaching the edges. An action that seemed small at first can have a huge effect, reaching far beyond its starting point.

Kindness works a lot like that pebble in the pond. When you perform a kind act, it doesn't just affect the person you're being kind to. It creates a ripple effect, spreading out and touching many others.

Imagine Sarah. She sees her classmate, Alex, struggling to carry a stack of books and his backpack. Without being asked, Sarah rushes over and helps Alex carry his books to his locker. This simple act of kindness does several things:

1. It makes Alex feel better. He was probably feeling overwhelmed and maybe a little embarrassed. Sarah's help makes him feel seen, supported, and grateful.
2. It inspires others. Another student, Maria, sees Sarah helping Alex. Maria thinks,