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Share a Smile

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Lesson Plan

Kindness Action Plan

Students will learn that small acts of kindness—like sharing a smile—can brighten others’ days and strengthen classroom connections. They will practice using smile prompts to greet peers and record their own kind gestures.

Building empathy and social awareness helps create a supportive classroom where every student feels valued. Small kindness acts boost mood and foster positive relationships.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Interactive games, modeling prompts, relay activity, and reflection

Materials

Prep

Review Materials and Setup

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Smile Icebreaker

5 minutes

  • Have students stand in a circle.
  • Explain they will use the Smile Icebreaker to learn each other’s names.
  • Demonstrate: turn to a neighbor, say your name and give a big friendly smile.
  • Continue around the circle until all students have shared.

Step 2

Discuss Smile Power

4 minutes

  • Ask: “How do you feel when someone smiles at you?” Gather 2–3 responses.
  • Introduce the idea that smiles are simple acts of kindness.
  • Model scripted greetings using Smile Script Prompts:
    • “Hi, Sarah! I hope you have a great day!”
    • “Good morning, Alex! Your smile made me happy.”

Step 3

Main Activity: Smile Exchange Relay

10 minutes

  • Divide class into two teams; have them line up.
  • Explain the Smile Exchange Relay: each student runs to a partner, exchanges a smile and uses one prompt from Smile Script Prompts, then tags the next.
  • First team to complete all exchanges wins.
  • Encourage enthusiastic smiles and clear voices.

Step 4

Reflection: Kindness Tracker

4 minutes

  • Hand out the Kindness Tracker.
  • Ask students to record one smile they gave and one they received.
  • Invite volunteers to share what made them feel happiest.

Step 5

Closing: Kindness Commitment

2 minutes

  • Ask each student to state one way they will share a smile today.
  • Teacher records commitments on the board.
  • Reinforce that small acts can make big differences.
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Script

Smile Script Prompts

Use these friendly greeting lines during our icebreaker and relay activities. Students can pick one to say when they exchange smiles or meet a friend.

  1. “Hi, [Name]! I’m so happy to see you!”


  2. “Good morning, [Name]! Your smile made my day brighter.”


  3. “Hello, [Name]! You’re looking awesome today!”


  4. “Hey, [Name]! I hope you have a super fun day!”


  5. “Hi, [Name]! Thanks for being a great friend.”


  6. “Good to see you, [Name]! You rock!”


  7. “Hello, [Name]! Your smile is the best part of my day.”


Teachers: Encourage students to say each greeting with enthusiasm and a big, friendly smile!

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Activity

Smile Exchange Relay

In this fun relay race, students will practice sharing smiles and using friendly greetings from our Smile Script Prompts.

Setup:

  • Divide the class into two equal teams.
  • Have each team line up at one end of the room.
  • Place a cone or marker at the opposite end as the turnaround point.

How to Play:

  1. The first student in each line picks a prompt from Smile Script Prompts.
  2. On “Go,” they run to the cone, find a partner from the other team, share a big smile, and say their chosen greeting.
  3. Once the greeting is complete, they run back and tag the next teammate in line.
  4. Continue until every student has run, greeted, and returned.

Winning:

  • The first team to have all members complete the relay with enthusiastic smiles and clear voices wins!

Teacher Tips:

  • Encourage students to use eye contact, big smiles, and loud, friendly voices.
  • After each round, invite teams to cheer for one another to build a supportive atmosphere.
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Worksheet

Kindness Tracker

Name: ____________________________ Date: ______________

  1. I gave a smile when:
    _______________________________________________





  2. Someone smiled at me when:
    _______________________________________________





  3. Draw a picture of you sharing a smile:












  1. Draw a picture of someone smiling at you:












  1. How did it make you feel when you gave a smile?
    _______________________________________________





  2. How did you feel when you received a smile?
    _______________________________________________





  3. What is one more way you will share a smile today?
    _______________________________________________



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Warm Up

Smile Icebreaker

Time: 5 minutes

Setup:

  • Have students stand in a circle, leaving enough space to turn toward a partner.
  • (Optional) Provide a soft tossable ball or beanbag to help guide turns.

Instructions:

  1. Teacher models: say your name with a big, friendly smile and then gently pass the ball to someone across the circle (or simply turn to a neighbor).
  2. The student who receives the ball (or when it’s their turn) says, “Hi, I’m [Name]!” while showing a big smile.
  3. That student then passes the ball to the next person (or turns to another neighbor) and repeats their own greeting and smile.
  4. Continue around the circle until every student has introduced themselves and shared a smile.

Purpose:

  • Practice remembering and saying classmates’ names.
  • Experience how a simple smile and greeting can build a friendly, supportive classroom atmosphere.
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