Lesson Plan
Kindness Starts With You Lesson Plan
Students will learn what kindness means, identify kind actions, and practice showing kindness through discussions and scenario activities, culminating in a personal kindness reflection.
This lesson builds social-emotional skills by fostering empathy, positive peer relationships, and a caring classroom culture where every student feels valued.
Audience
1st Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Guided discussion, role-play scenarios, and personal reflection.
Materials
Chart Paper and Markers, Kindness Scenarios Cards, Kindness Reflection Worksheet, and Pencils
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and cut apart the Kindness Scenarios Cards so each card is individual.
- Print one copy of the Kindness Reflection Worksheet for each student.
- Gather chart paper and markers, and set up a writing/display area at the front.
- Review all scenario cards and the reflection worksheet to familiarize yourself with prompts and expected responses.
Step 1
Introduction to Kindness
5 minutes
- Gather students on the rug and ask: “What does the word ‘kindness’ mean?”
- Record student ideas on chart paper under the heading “Kindness Means…”.
- Add a simple definition: “Kindness is doing something to make others feel happy and cared for.”
Step 2
Modeling Kind Acts
7 minutes
- Read aloud or display two example scenarios from the Kindness Scenarios Cards.
- For each, ask: “What kind action is shown here?” and “How do you think the person feels?”
- Encourage students to describe what they see and why it’s kind.
Step 3
Scenario Activity
10 minutes
- Divide students into pairs and give each pair one scenario card from the Kindness Scenarios Cards.
- In pairs, students read or look at their card, discuss the kind action, and briefly role-play it.
- After 5 minutes, invite a few pairs to share their scenario and role-play for the class.
Step 4
Reflection and Closing
8 minutes
- Hand out the Kindness Reflection Worksheet and pencils.
- Ask students to draw or write about one kind thing they will do at home or school today.
- Invite volunteers to share their ideas with the class.
- Close by reading the chart paper definition of kindness and praising students for their thoughtful reflections.
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Slide Deck
Kindness Starts With You
A 30-minute lesson exploring what kindness means and simple ways to show it at school and home.
Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s lesson and get students excited about kindness.
Script: “Good morning, friends! Today we are going to learn all about kindness. Our lesson is called ‘Kindness Starts With You!’ Are you ready?”
What Is Kindness?
• Kindness is doing something to make others feel happy and cared for.
• It can be sharing, helping, or using kind words.
Define kindness and build a shared definition with the class.
Script: “What does ‘kindness’ mean? Tell me your ideas!” Record responses on chart paper.
Kindness Examples
Let’s look at two scenarios from the Kindness Scenarios Cards:
- Helping a friend pick up dropped papers
- Sharing a crayon with someone who needs one
Use two cards from the Kindness Scenarios Cards to model.
Script: “Let’s read this card together. What kind action do you see? How do you think the person feels?”
Scenario Activity
• Pair up and choose a card from Kindness Scenarios Cards.
• Discuss: What kind action is shown? How does it feel?
• Role-play your scenario for the class.
Explain the pair activity and circulate to support discussions and role-plays.
Script: “Now you’ll work in pairs. Read your card, talk about the kind action, and practice it together!”
Reflection
• Complete your Kindness Reflection Worksheet.
• Draw or write one kind action you will do today.
• Share your idea with the class.
Hand out the Kindness Reflection Worksheet.
Script: “Draw or write one kind thing you will do today. Then we’ll share!”
Keep Being Kind!
Thank you for exploring kindness today. Let’s keep looking for ways to be kind every day!
Reinforce the lesson and encourage ongoing kindness.
Script: “You all did an amazing job! Remember, kindness starts with you!”
Activity
Kindness Scenarios Cards
Use these cards to spark discussion and role‐plays about simple acts of kindness. Each card shows a short scenario – read it together, identify the kind action, then act it out!
Card 1: Helping with Papers
Your friend drops all their papers on the floor. You bend down and help pick them up.
Card 2: Sharing a Crayon
Someone at your table needs a blue crayon, but they don’t have one. You hand them your extra blue crayon.
Card 3: Inviting to Play
You see a classmate playing alone at recess. You walk over and ask, “Do you want to play with us?”
Card 4: Offering a Tissue
A friend has a runny nose. You notice they need a tissue, so you give them one.
Card 5: Holding the Door
You’re first in line entering the classroom and you hold the door open for others behind you.
Card 6: Giving a Compliment
You tell a classmate, “I like your drawing!” when they finish coloring their picture.
Worksheet
Kindness Reflection Worksheet
Think about a kind action you can do today. Use the space below to draw and write your ideas!
- Draw a picture of one kind thing you will do at school or at home:
- Write one kind thing you will do today:
- Who will you help with your kind action?
- How do you think they will feel when you show kindness?
- Why is kindness important? Draw or write your answer:
Great job! Remember, kindness starts with you.
Script
Kindness Starts Script
Slide 1: Kindness Starts With You
Teacher says: “Good morning, friends! Today we are going to learn all about kindness. Our lesson is called ‘Kindness Starts With You!’ Are you ready to explore how small acts can make big smiles?”
(Pause for student responses)
“Wonderful! Let’s get started.”
Slide 2: What Is Kindness?
Teacher says: “First, let’s think about the word ‘kindness.’ Raise your hand and tell me—what does ‘kindness’ mean?”
(Allow 2–3 students to share.)
“Great ideas! I’m writing our thoughts on the chart paper under ‘Kindness Means…’”
(Teacher writes student responses.)
“Now, listen to this definition: Kindness is doing something to make others feel happy and cared for. Say it with me!”
(Students repeat definition.)
Slide 3: Kindness Examples
Teacher says: “Let’s look at two examples from our Kindness Scenarios Cards.”
- Card 1: “Your friend drops all their papers on the floor. You bend down and help pick them up.”
- “What kind action do you see here?”
- “How do you think your friend feels when you help?” - Card 2: “Someone at your table needs a blue crayon, but they don’t have one. You hand them your extra blue crayon.”
- “What kind action is this?”
- “How do you think they feel when you share?”
(Encourage several quick responses for each scenario.)
Slide 4: Scenario Activity
Teacher says: “Now it’s your turn! I’m going to pair you up and give each pair one scenario card from the Kindness Scenarios Cards.”
“Work with your partner to: 1) Read or look at your card. 2) Talk about the kind action. 3) Practice acting it out together.”
“I’ll walk around to help. You have five minutes—go!”
(After 5 minutes)
Teacher says: “Time’s up! Who would like to share their scenario and show us their role-play?”
(Invite 2–3 pairs to demonstrate.)
“Thank you—that was amazing kindness in action!”
Slide 5: Reflection
Teacher says: “Let’s think about how we can be kind today. I’m passing out the Kindness Reflection Worksheet.”
“On your worksheet: 1) Draw one kind thing you will do today. 2) Write one kind thing you will do. 3) Who will you help? 4) How will they feel? 5) Why is kindness important?”
“You have four minutes. Ready? Go!”
(After writing)
Teacher says: “Who would like to share their drawing or writing?”
(Allow several volunteers.)
“Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas!”
Slide 6: Keep Being Kind!
Teacher says: “You all did a fantastic job exploring kindness today. Remember, kindness starts with you—and even the smallest action can make someone’s day brighter. Let’s keep looking for ways to be kind every single day! Have a kind day, friends!”
Warm Up
Kindness Warm-Up
Time: 5 minutes
1. Kindness Thumbs Up/Down (2 minutes)
Teacher reads each statement aloud. Students show a thumbs-up if it describes a kind action, or a thumbs-down if it does not.
• Helping a friend who dropped their books.
• Ignoring someone who asked to play.
• Using a friendly smile when you see someone sad.
• Taking someone’s crayon without asking.
2. Think-Pair-Share (3 minutes)
- Think: Ask students to quietly think of one kind thing they did or one kind thing someone did for them recently.
- Pair: Turn to a partner and tell your kindness story.
- Share: Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their stories with the whole class.
This quick activity gets everyone talking about real examples of kindness and sets a positive tone for our “Kindness Starts With You” lesson!
Cool Down
Kindness Cool-Down
Time: 5 minutes
- Kindness Shout-Out (2 minutes)
Gather in a circle. Invite each student to share one kind action they noticed from a classmate today. After each share, everyone gives a quick thumbs-up or clap to celebrate kindness. - Exit Ticket: My Kindness Plan (3 minutes)
Hand out a small slip of paper or sticky note. Ask students to complete the prompts below, then place their note in a “Kindness Think Box” as they leave:
• What kind thing did I see today?
• How did it make me feel?
• One kind thing I will do tomorrow:
This cool-down honors today’s kind moments and sets intentions for tomorrow’s caring actions.