Kindness: Your Superpower! Script

Warm-Up: Share a Kind Act (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon everyone! Let's start with a quick warm-up. I've handed out a small paper called the Kindness Warm Up. On it, I want you to quickly write down a time someone was kind to you, or a time when you were kind to someone else. It can be a big moment or a small one. Take about 2-3 minutes to think and write."

(Pause for students to write)

Teacher: "Alright, who would like to share their story? Don't worry if it feels small, every act of kindness counts!"

(Call on a few students, affirm their sharing. Example follow-up: "That's a wonderful example of how a small gesture can make a big difference!")

Introduction: What Are Kindness and Compassion? (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Thank you for those inspiring stories! Today, we're going to talk more about those powerful actions. Look at our first slide, Slide 1: Kindness: Your Superpower!. What if I told you that you all possess a superpower? A power that can truly change the world around you? That superpower is kindness and compassion!"

"Let's look at Slide 2: What Are Kindness and Compassion?. What do you think when you hear the word 'kindness'? Can anyone give me a definition in their own words?"

(Allow students to share. Guide them towards the definition on the slide.)

Teacher: "Exactly! Kindness is about being friendly, generous, and considerate. It's how you treat others, and even how you treat yourself. Now, what about 'compassion'? How is it similar to kindness, and how might it be a little different?"

(Facilitate discussion. Emphasize that compassion involves understanding and wanting to alleviate suffering.)

Teacher: "Compassion is about feeling concern for someone who is going through a tough time and wanting to help them. It's like seeing someone sad and feeling that urge to make them feel better. Both kindness and compassion are about connecting with others in a positive way."

"Can you think of examples of kindness or compassion you've seen or experienced, maybe even from our warm-up stories?"

(Encourage more examples, linking to real-life situations.)

Reading: A Story of Kindness (10 minutes)

Teacher: "To help us understand these ideas even better, I'm going to hand out a short story, Kindness Story Reading. I'd like you to read this story quietly to yourselves, or with a partner if you prefer. As you read, think about the acts of kindness and compassion you notice in the story, and how they affect the characters."

(Distribute the reading. Allow 5-7 minutes for reading.)

Teacher: "What acts of kindness or compassion did you notice in the story? What was the impact of these actions on the characters involved? Did one act lead to another?"

(Facilitate a brief discussion, drawing out observations about how kindness spreads and helps.)

Activity: The Ripple Effect (15 minutes)

Teacher: "That brings us perfectly to our next idea. Look at Slide 3: The Ripple Effect. Imagine dropping a single pebble into a calm pond. What happens? The ripples spread out, getting wider and wider, right?"

"Kindness works the same way! One small act of kindness can create a ripple effect, spreading out and touching many more lives than just the person you helped. We're going to do an activity called the Ripple Effect Activity."

"Let's brainstorm together. If one person does something kind, what are some ways that kindness might spread? For example, if you hold the door for someone, how might that make them feel, and what might they do next?"

(Record student ideas on chart paper or the whiteboard. Encourage them to think about feelings and subsequent actions.)

Teacher: "See how one small act can lead to so many good things? You all have the power to start these positive ripples!"

Game: Kindness Scenario Cards (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Now, let's put our kindness and compassion skills to the test! I'm going to divide you into small groups. Each group will receive a set of Kindness Game: Scenario Cards. On each card, you'll find a situation. As a group, I want you to discuss how you would respond to that situation with kindness and compassion. Think about what you could say and what you could do."

"You'll have about 7 minutes to discuss your cards. Then, we'll come back together and have each group share one or two of their scenarios and how they would respond."

(Divide students, distribute cards. Monitor groups and provide guidance. Bring the class back together for sharing.)

Teacher: "Excellent job everyone! It's clear you're all thinking deeply about how to be kind and compassionate. This practice helps us prepare for real-life situations."

Independent Practice: Kindness Challenge (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Now, it's time to take our learning beyond the classroom. I'm handing out the Kindness Challenge Worksheet. On this sheet, you're going to commit to one act of kindness you will perform before our next class. It doesn't have to be huge; remember the ripple effect! It could be helping a family member, thanking a school staff member, including someone new in a game, or something else entirely. Think realistically and creatively."

"Write down what you plan to do, and who it will benefit. We'll check in on these next time."

(Distribute worksheet. Circulate to assist students in brainstorming ideas.)

Wrap-Up: Cool Down (5 minutes)

Teacher: "To wrap up our lesson today, please take out the Kindness Cool Down slip I just gave you. On it, I'd like you to write one new thing you learned about kindness or one specific way you can be kinder today. This is your exit ticket, so please hand it to me on your way out."

(Collect slips. Offer a final encouraging word about their power to create kindness.)

Teacher: "You all have the power to be a superpower of kindness in our school and community. Let's make those ripples spread!"

Kindness Warm Up

Think about a time when...

1. Someone was kind to you. What did they do, and how did it make you feel?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. You were kind to someone else. What did you do, and how did it make them (or you) feel?
   
   
   
   
   
   

The Day Leo Shared His Lunch

Leo loved Tuesdays. Tuesdays meant his mom packed his favorite: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on soft white bread, apple slices, and a chocolate chip cookie. Today, as he opened his lunchbox, the smell of grape jelly and peanuts filled the air. His stomach rumbled in anticipation.

He looked across the cafeteria at his friend, Maya. Maya was usually bubbly and loud, but today she sat quietly, pushing around a single carrot stick on her tray. Her lunchbox was closed.

"Everything okay, Maya?" Leo asked, his mouth already watering for his sandwich.

Maya sighed. "Forgot my lunch today. Mom was super busy this morning, and I rushed out the door." She shrugged, trying to act like it was no big deal, but Leo could see her shoulders slump a little.

Leo thought about his perfect sandwich, his crunchy apples, and especially his cookie. He really wanted that cookie. But then he looked at Maya again, and a different feeling bubbled up inside him. It was a warm, slightly squishy feeling, like his sandwich if it sat too long in his backpack.

"Hey," Leo said, pushing his whole sandwich across the table. "Want half? Actually, just take it. I can share my apple slices too, and... you know what? Today's a two-cookie kind of day anyway. You take one."

Maya's eyes widened. "Really, Leo? Are you sure? That's your favorite!"

Leo nodded. "Totally sure. Friends share, right? Besides, I'd hate to see that cookie go lonely without a friend to be eaten with."

Maya grinned, a wide, genuine smile that made her whole face light up. "You're the best, Leo! Thank you!" She carefully broke the sandwich in half, handed him a piece, and took a cookie. They ate their lunch together, chatting and laughing.

Later that day, during art class, Leo accidentally knocked over a bottle of purple paint. It splattered all over his new drawing. He felt a wave of frustration. Before he could even say anything, Maya, who was sitting next to him, quickly grabbed some paper towels. "Don't worry, Leo! We can try to dab it off. And if not, we'll just start a new one together. Purple is a good color, maybe we can make it part of the design!"

Leo looked at Maya, then at the purple splotch. It still wasn't ideal, but Maya's quick help and reassuring words made him feel so much better. The frustration melted away, replaced by a grateful warmth. He realized that Maya's kindness, in that moment, felt just as good as his chocolate chip cookie. Maybe even better.

The Ripple Effect of Kindness

Objective: To understand how one act of kindness can spread and impact many people.

Instructions:

1. As a class, we'll imagine a single act of kindness.
2. We'll discuss together:
   • How does that one act make the receiver feel?
   • How might that good feeling influence the receiver to be kind to someone else?
   • How does that next act of kindness spread even further?
3. We will map out the chain reaction on chart paper or the whiteboard, showing how one small action can create a big, positive ripple in our school and community.

Example Start:

• Initial Act of Kindness: Leo shares his lunch with Maya.
  • Maya feels: Grateful, cared for, happy, less hungry.
  • Maya might then: Help Leo in art class, smile at someone in the hall, offer a compliment to a friend.
    • If Maya helps Leo: Leo feels supported, less frustrated, appreciative.
    • Leo might then: Help another classmate, tell his parents about Maya's help.
      • (And so on... how far can the ripple go?)

Let's brainstorm some starting acts of kindness and see how far their ripples can reach! Use the space below to jot down your initial ideas before we share as a class.

Your Ideas for a Starting Act of Kindness:

Kindness Game: Scenario Cards

Instructions: Work with your group to discuss each scenario. How would you respond with kindness and compassion? What would you say, and what would you do? Choose the kindest and most helpful action.

Scenario 1

Your classmate forgot their art supplies at home and looks really upset because they can't finish their project. You have extra markers.

How would you respond?

Scenario 2

You see a new student sitting alone at lunch. They look a little nervous and aren't talking to anyone.

How would you respond?

Scenario 3

Your younger sibling is struggling with their homework and starts to cry because they're frustrated.

How would you respond?

Scenario 4

You overhear some classmates making fun of another student's new haircut.

How would you respond?

Scenario 5

Your teacher looks stressed and is carrying a lot of papers. You finish your assignment early.

How would you respond?

Scenario 6

A friend tells you they had a bad day and feel sad about something that happened at home.

How would you respond?

My Kindness Challenge!

Objective: To put kindness and compassion into action outside of the classroom.

Think about one specific act of kindness or compassion you can perform before our next class. It can be for a family member, a friend, a neighbor, a teacher, or anyone in your community. Remember, even small acts can create big ripples!

1. What act of kindness or compassion will you perform? (Be specific!)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Who will be the receiver of your kindness?
   
   
   
   

3. How do you think your act of kindness might make them feel?
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. How might your act of kindness create a "ripple effect"? (Think about how it might spread to others!)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Reflection (After you complete your challenge):

5. What happened when you performed your act of kindness?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. How did it make you feel?
   
   
   
   

Kindness Cool Down

One thing I learned today about kindness or compassion is:

One way I can be kinder to someone (or myself!) today is: