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Kindness Through Seasons

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Kylie Taniguchi

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Kindness Through Seasons Lesson Plan

Students will explore empathy by discussing feelings tied to each school-season and demonstrate kindness by creating a Seasonal Kindness Garland, where they write or draw kind messages for peers.

Building empathy and kindness early fosters a supportive classroom community. Connecting feelings to seasons makes abstract emotions tangible and encourages caring peer interactions.

Audience

Kindergarten

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Seasonal discussion, empathy read-aloud, collaborative kindness craft.

Materials

Kindness Through Seasons Storybook PDF, Seasonal Feelings Chart Printable, Pre-cut Colored Paper Leaves, Markers or Crayons, Glue Sticks, and String for Garland

Prep

Gather and Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Print out Seasonal Feelings Chart Printable and Kindness Through Seasons Storybook PDF.
  • Pre-cut 4 paper leaves per student in assorted season-colors.
  • Arrange glue sticks, markers/crayons, and string at the crafting table.
  • Review the read-aloud script and prepare discussion questions.

Step 1

Circle Time Introduction

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and welcome them.
  • Show the Seasonal Feelings Chart and ask: “What season do you like best? How does that season make you feel?”
  • Connect their responses to empathy: “When friends feel happy, sad, or excited, we can show kindness.”

Step 2

Read-Aloud and Guided Discussion

10 minutes

  • Read the Kindness Through Seasons Storybook PDF.
  • Pause after each season segment and ask: “How did the character feel? What kind thing could we do to help them?”
  • Affirm student ideas and highlight empathy in action.

Step 3

Seasonal Kindness Craft

10 minutes

  • Give each student 4 pre-cut paper leaves and a marker.
  • Instruct them to write or draw a kind message or action on each leaf (e.g., “I will share,” “I will listen”).
  • Assist students as needed and encourage creativity.

Step 4

Sharing and Reflection

5 minutes

  • Invite students to come up and attach their leaves to the classroom garland string.
  • Ask each student to share one leaf’s message aloud.
  • Reinforce that their kind words will hang as reminders to care for each other each season.
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Slide Deck

Kindness Through Seasons

Exploring empathy and kindness throughout the school year!

Welcome students! Introduce the lesson by explaining that we will explore how each season makes us feel and practice showing kindness to friends. Point out the fun garland we’ll create together.

How Does Each Season Feel?

• Spring: Growth and excitement
• Summer: Warmth and joy
• Fall: Change and curiosity
• Winter: Calm and coziness

(See the Seasonal Feelings Chart Printable)

Display the Seasonal Feelings Chart Printable. Ask: “What season is this? How does it make you feel?” Encourage children to name emotions and times they’ve felt that way.

Read-Aloud & Discussion

Listen to our story: Kindness Through Seasons Storybook PDF

After each part, think:
• What did the character feel?
• What kind action could help?

Read the storybook aloud. After each season in the story, pause and ask: “How did the character feel? What kind thing could help them?” Affirm student ideas.

Make Your Kindness Leaves

  1. Take 4 colored paper leaves
  2. Draw or write one kind message/action on each
  3. Decorate your leaves with colors
  4. Get ready to hang them on our garland

Hand out four pre-cut leaves and markers to each student. Model writing a kind message on a leaf. Guide them through each step.

Share & Reflect

• Attach your leaves to the classroom garland
• Share one kindness message you wrote
• Listen and cheer for your friends!

Invite each child, one at a time, to come up, attach their leaves to the string, and share one message aloud. Praise everyone’s ideas.

Kindness All Year Round

Our garland will hang as a reminder to practice empathy and kindness through every season!

Congratulate the class on creating a beautiful kindness garland. Reinforce that we can show empathy and kindness every day, in every season.

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Reading

Kindness Through Seasons Storybook

Spring

Spring has arrived! Tiny green buds peek from the trees and a warm breeze carries the scent of flowers. In class, Lily feels excited and claps her hands. But she notices Ben sitting quietly, looking sad. Lily remembers that friends need kindness when they feel down. She hands Ben a bright paper flower she made. Ben’s face lights up. “Thank you, Lily,” he says, and together they imagine a garden full of blossoms.

Summer

The sun shines high and the playground feels warm. Tony and Maya run outside with a red bucket and a blue shovel. Tony wants to build a tall sandcastle, but Maya is waiting for a turn. Tony pauses his digging and shares his shovel with Maya. “Let’s build one big castle together!” he says. Their laughter echoes as they shape towers and moats side by side.

Fall

Leaves turn orange, gold, and red, drifting down to the ground. In art time, Ava tries to color a tree with her brown crayon—but it snaps! Tears fill her eyes. Sam sees Ava’s sadness and whispers, “I have an extra crayon.” He offers his brown crayon and smiles. Ava continues her picture, proud of her colorful tree—and grateful for Sam’s kindness.

Winter

Frost sparkles on the windows and classmates bundle up in cozy sweaters. During circle time, Carlos rests his head and looks tired. Emma gently asks, “Are you okay?” She brings him a cool cup of water and listens as Carlos shares why he feels sleepy. Emma nods and offers to read his favorite book together when he feels better. Carlos smiles, feeling comforted.

Kindness All Year Round

Through every season—spring, summer, fall, and winter—friends show kindness in small ways. When we notice someone’s feelings, we can offer help, share our things, or simply listen. Kindness blooms in every season and makes our classroom a warm, caring place for everyone.

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Activity

Seasonal Kindness Garland Activity

Objective: Create a colorful garland of kindness “leaves” to remind us how small, caring actions can brighten someone’s day in every season.

Materials:

  • Pre-cut colored paper leaves (4 per student)
  • Markers or crayons
  • Glue sticks (optional decorations)
  • Hole punch or tape
  • String or yarn (long enough to hang in the classroom)

Prep (5 minutes):

  • Attach string across a bulletin board or wall at children’s height.
  • Lay out leaves, markers, glue sticks, and hole punch/tape on tables.

Activity Steps (10 minutes):

  1. Distribute Leaves (1 minute)

    • Give each child four leaves—one for each season: spring (green), summer (yellow), fall (orange/red), winter (blue/white).
  2. Brainstorm Kind Messages (2 minutes)

    • Ask: “What are ways we can show kindness in spring, summer, fall, and winter?”
    • Offer prompts (e.g., share toys, listen, help clean up, give a friend a smile).
  3. Write or Draw on Leaves (5 minutes)

    • Children pick one kind action or message per leaf (word or picture).
    • Examples: “I will share my crayon,” “I will say, ‘Are you okay?’”
    • Encourage decorating: add hearts, raindrops, or snowflakes with crayons or glued-on shapes.
  4. Assemble the Garland (2 minutes)

    • Punch a hole in the top of each leaf (or tape to the string).
    • Invite students, one by one, to hang their leaves on the classroom string.

Reflection & Discussion (5 minutes):

  • Once all leaves are up, gather in a circle under the garland.
  • Prompt each child to share:
    • “Which season leaf did you make first, and why?”
    • “How will you remember to practice this kindness?”
  • Reinforce that each leaf is a promise we make to help others feel cared for all year long.

Follow-Up Ideas:

  • Rotate seasonal empathy charts as the year changes—have students add fresh leaves.
  • Photograph the garland and send a digital postcard home highlighting a few student messages.
  • Encourage morning meetings by reading one leaf aloud and inviting classmates to role-play the kind action.

Our Seasonal Kindness Garland will hang as a vibrant reminder that empathy and caring grow best when we share them through every season!

Materials linked in lesson plan:

  • Seasonal Feelings Chart Printable
  • Kindness Through Seasons Storybook PDF
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Worksheet

Seasonal Feelings Chart

Think about each season below. In the space provided, write words that describe how that season makes you feel. Then draw a face showing your feelings!

SpringSummer
How does Spring make you feel?





Draw your feelings:





How does Summer make you feel?





Draw your feelings:





FallWinter
How does Fall make you feel?





Draw your feelings:





How does Winter make you feel?





Draw your feelings:





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Warm Up

Season Query Warm-Up

Time: 5 minutes

Objective: Activate thinking about seasons, feelings, and kindness.

Materials:

  • Four season picture cards (spring, summer, fall, winter)

Instructions:

  1. Gather students in a circle and display the four season cards one at a time.
  2. For each card, ask:
    • “What season is this?”
    • “How does this season make you feel?”
  3. Model a simple kind action for each season. For example:
    • Spring: “I can help a friend plant a flower.”
    • Summer: “I can share my water bottle on a hot day.”
    • Fall: “I can help a friend jump in a pile of leaves.”
    • Winter: “I can share my mittens if someone’s hands are cold.”
  4. Turn-and-Talk (2 minutes):
    • Pair students up.
    • Prompt: “Tell your partner your favorite season and one kind thing you could do in that season.”
  5. Whole-Group Share (2 minutes):
    • Invite 2–3 pairs to share their ideas with the class.

This quick circle prompt connects seasons to emotions and kind actions, setting the stage for our Kindness Through Seasons lesson.

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Cool Down

Kindness Pledge Exit Ticket

Time: 5 minutes

Write one kind thing you will do today:
I will ______________________________________






Why will you do this?








Draw a picture of you showing kindness:











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