December: Kindness Lessons
Grades K Lesson Plan
Definition of Kindness - Being considerate, courteous, helpful, and understanding of others. Showing care, compassion, friendship, and generosity. Treating others as you would like to be treated.
Objectives:
To learn the definition of the character trait, kindness.
To encourage students to show kindness and consideration in their daily lives.
To understand that kindness can be shown to anyone, anywhere!
Materials:
Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by Margery Cuyler
Poster with definition of kindness
Activity:
Lead discussion with students. What do you think it means to be kind? What do you think is the definition of kindness? Why do we want to show kindness towards others?
Display definition and discuss.
Introduce book. What do you think this story will be about? What predictions can you make?
Read the book, stopping periodically to discuss whether behaviors were kind, and how the behaviors made others feel.
After reading the book, discuss what lesson the students in Mrs. Ruler’s class learned.
Tell students that it is very important that we show kindness at MCE and at home. Brainstorm on the board ways to show kindness
Evaluation:
Students will draw a picture of them showing kindness. Allow students to share the different ways they thought of to show kindness at home and school.
December: Kindness
Grades 1-2 Lesson Plan
Definition of Kindness - Being considerate, courteous, helpful, and understanding of others. Showing care, compassion, friendship, and generosity. Treating others as you would like to be treated.
Objectives:
To learn the definition of the character trait, kindness.
To encourage students to show kindness and consideration in their daily lives.
To understand that kindness can be shown to anyone, anywhere!
Materials:
Kindness Counts
Poster with definition of kindness
Handouts: Showing Consideration in the ____________ (5 different sheets; students will each receive ONE of the sheets)
Activity:
Lead discussion with students. What do you think it means to be kind? What do you think is the definition of kindness? Why do we want to show kindness towards others?
Display definition and discuss.
Introduce story entitled Kindness Counts. What do you think this story will be about? What predictions can you make?
Read the book, stopping periodically to discuss whether behaviors were kind, and how the behaviors made others feel.
After reading the book, discuss what lesson the bear children learned.
Brainstorm on the board ways to show kindness in different areas of the school:
(i.e. Classroom Halls Library
say thank you Walk Put books where the belong)
Evaluation:
Distribute “Showing Consideration. . .” sheets. There are 5 different sheets, so some students will complete the hallway sheet, some will complete the playground sheet, etc.
Allow students to share the different ways they thought of to show kindness in different parts of our school.
December: Kindness
Grades 3-5 Lesson Plan
Definition of Kindness - Being considerate, courteous, helpful, and understanding of others. Showing care, compassion, friendship, and generosity. Treating others as you would like to be treated.
Objectives:
To learn the definition of the character trait, kindness.
To encourage students to show kindness and consideration in their daily lives.
To understand that kindness can be shown to anyone, anywhere!
Materials:
If Everyone Did by Jo Ann Stover
Poster with definition of kindness
Handouts: “If Everyone Did. . .”
Activity:
Lead discussion with students. What do you think it means to be kind? What do you think is the definition of kindness? Why do we want to show kindness towards others?
Display definition and discuss.
Introduce story entitled If Everyone Did. What do you think this story will be about? What predictions can you make?
Read the book.
After reading the book, discuss: What the world would be like if everyone were kind?
What would the world be like if everyone were unkind? What are ways we can show kindness to people at school? At home? In the community?
Brainstorm ways to be kind on the board.
Evaluation:
Distribute “If Everyone Did. . .” sheets. Have students create posters showing what the world would be like if everyone did the right thing and were kind. Allow students to share posters, and take up posters so that they can be displayed on a bulletin board.
Other Books on Kindness
1. Please Don’t Tease Tootsie by Margaret Chamberlain
2008. Grades PreK-2.
In rhyming text the narrator entreats readers not to “tease Tootsie” or “madden Mutley” or “disturb Dixie” but rather to show their animal companions kindness. A good springboard for discussing kindness to animals.
2. I See Kindness Everywhere by Shelley Frost
2010. Grades PreK-2.
A little girl gives thanks for all the kindness around her, from the people who made her socks, to those who grew her berries.
3. Good People Everywhere by Lynea Gillen
2012. Grades PreK-2.
“Today, millions and millions of people will do very good things.” This lovely book offers numerous reminders of all the people around us doing good things, from the farmers who grow our food to someone helping a friend in need.
4. Nico and Lola: Kindness Shared Between a Dog and a Boy by Meggan Hill
2009. Grades Pre-K-2.
When Nico takes care of his aunt’s dog, he must find ways to be kind to her, and Lola shows kindness in return.
5. Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss
1954. Grades K-4.
A city of Whos on a speck of dust are threatened with destruction until the smallest Who of all helps convince Horton’s friends that Whos really exist.
6. The Kindness Quilt by Nancy Elizabeth Smith
2006. Grades PreK-2.
When Minna’s teacher, Mrs. Bloom, reads the Aesop’s Fable about a mouse and lion being kind to each other, the class is inspired to create a Kindness Project. When Minna presents her project — a kindness quilt — the idea spreads to the entire school, until entire walls are taken up with examples of kindness.
7. Fly Free! by Roseanne Thong
2010. Grades K-3.
“Flyfree, flyfree, in the sky so blue. When you do a good deed, it will come back to you!”
Mai regularly feeds the caged birds at the temple. Her wish to free the birds, and her kindness to another young girl lead to a circle of good deeds that result in freedom for the birds and a realization of the power of kindness and our universal connection.
8. Hunter and His Dog by Brian Wildsmith
2008. Grades K-3.
A hunting dog can’t bear to retrieve the wounded ducks his guardian shoots, so he brings the hunter sticks and takes the ducks to an island to heal.
9. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
2012. Grades K-3.
New girl, Maya, comes to school and tries to befriend Chloe. But Maya’s clothes are shabby, and Chloe continually rejects Maya’s attempts at friendship. When Ms. Albert teaches a lesson about kindness, Chloe realizes she has been cruel to Maya. But Maya’s family has moved away, and Chloe is left feeling shame and sorrow that she will never have a chance to show Maya kindness.
10. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
2012. Grades 3-7 ( Good for grade 5 read aloud)
August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face.
**Check out this website below for other book ideas. Books are arranged by grade level, and there are many suggestions.
Web Education
http://www.bu.edu/ccsr/resources/book-recommendations-to-use-in-the-classroom/
Grades K Lesson Plan
Definition of Kindness - Being considerate, courteous, helpful, and understanding of others. Showing care, compassion, friendship, and generosity. Treating others as you would like to be treated.
Objectives:
To learn the definition of the character trait, kindness.
To encourage students to show kindness and consideration in their daily lives.
To understand that kindness can be shown to anyone, anywhere!
Materials:
Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by Margery Cuyler
Poster with definition of kindness
Activity:
Lead discussion with students. What do you think it means to be kind? What do you think is the definition of kindness? Why do we want to show kindness towards others?
Display definition and discuss.
Introduce book. What do you think this story will be about? What predictions can you make?
Read the book, stopping periodically to discuss whether behaviors were kind, and how the behaviors made others feel.
After reading the book, discuss what lesson the students in Mrs. Ruler’s class learned.
Tell students that it is very important that we show kindness at MCE and at home. Brainstorm on the board ways to show kindness
Evaluation:
Students will draw a picture of them showing kindness. Allow students to share the different ways they thought of to show kindness at home and school.
December: Kindness
Grades 1-2 Lesson Plan
Definition of Kindness - Being considerate, courteous, helpful, and understanding of others. Showing care, compassion, friendship, and generosity. Treating others as you would like to be treated.
Objectives:
To learn the definition of the character trait, kindness.
To encourage students to show kindness and consideration in their daily lives.
To understand that kindness can be shown to anyone, anywhere!
Materials:
Kindness Counts
Poster with definition of kindness
Handouts: Showing Consideration in the ____________ (5 different sheets; students will each receive ONE of the sheets)
Activity:
Lead discussion with students. What do you think it means to be kind? What do you think is the definition of kindness? Why do we want to show kindness towards others?
Display definition and discuss.
Introduce story entitled Kindness Counts. What do you think this story will be about? What predictions can you make?
Read the book, stopping periodically to discuss whether behaviors were kind, and how the behaviors made others feel.
After reading the book, discuss what lesson the bear children learned.
Brainstorm on the board ways to show kindness in different areas of the school:
(i.e. Classroom Halls Library
say thank you Walk Put books where the belong)
Evaluation:
Distribute “Showing Consideration. . .” sheets. There are 5 different sheets, so some students will complete the hallway sheet, some will complete the playground sheet, etc.
Allow students to share the different ways they thought of to show kindness in different parts of our school.
December: Kindness
Grades 3-5 Lesson Plan
Definition of Kindness - Being considerate, courteous, helpful, and understanding of others. Showing care, compassion, friendship, and generosity. Treating others as you would like to be treated.
Objectives:
To learn the definition of the character trait, kindness.
To encourage students to show kindness and consideration in their daily lives.
To understand that kindness can be shown to anyone, anywhere!
Materials:
If Everyone Did by Jo Ann Stover
Poster with definition of kindness
Handouts: “If Everyone Did. . .”
Activity:
Lead discussion with students. What do you think it means to be kind? What do you think is the definition of kindness? Why do we want to show kindness towards others?
Display definition and discuss.
Introduce story entitled If Everyone Did. What do you think this story will be about? What predictions can you make?
Read the book.
After reading the book, discuss: What the world would be like if everyone were kind?
What would the world be like if everyone were unkind? What are ways we can show kindness to people at school? At home? In the community?
Brainstorm ways to be kind on the board.
Evaluation:
Distribute “If Everyone Did. . .” sheets. Have students create posters showing what the world would be like if everyone did the right thing and were kind. Allow students to share posters, and take up posters so that they can be displayed on a bulletin board.
Other Books on Kindness
1. Please Don’t Tease Tootsie by Margaret Chamberlain
2008. Grades PreK-2.
In rhyming text the narrator entreats readers not to “tease Tootsie” or “madden Mutley” or “disturb Dixie” but rather to show their animal companions kindness. A good springboard for discussing kindness to animals.
2. I See Kindness Everywhere by Shelley Frost
2010. Grades PreK-2.
A little girl gives thanks for all the kindness around her, from the people who made her socks, to those who grew her berries.
3. Good People Everywhere by Lynea Gillen
2012. Grades PreK-2.
“Today, millions and millions of people will do very good things.” This lovely book offers numerous reminders of all the people around us doing good things, from the farmers who grow our food to someone helping a friend in need.
4. Nico and Lola: Kindness Shared Between a Dog and a Boy by Meggan Hill
2009. Grades Pre-K-2.
When Nico takes care of his aunt’s dog, he must find ways to be kind to her, and Lola shows kindness in return.
5. Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss
1954. Grades K-4.
A city of Whos on a speck of dust are threatened with destruction until the smallest Who of all helps convince Horton’s friends that Whos really exist.
6. The Kindness Quilt by Nancy Elizabeth Smith
2006. Grades PreK-2.
When Minna’s teacher, Mrs. Bloom, reads the Aesop’s Fable about a mouse and lion being kind to each other, the class is inspired to create a Kindness Project. When Minna presents her project — a kindness quilt — the idea spreads to the entire school, until entire walls are taken up with examples of kindness.
7. Fly Free! by Roseanne Thong
2010. Grades K-3.
“Flyfree, flyfree, in the sky so blue. When you do a good deed, it will come back to you!”
Mai regularly feeds the caged birds at the temple. Her wish to free the birds, and her kindness to another young girl lead to a circle of good deeds that result in freedom for the birds and a realization of the power of kindness and our universal connection.
8. Hunter and His Dog by Brian Wildsmith
2008. Grades K-3.
A hunting dog can’t bear to retrieve the wounded ducks his guardian shoots, so he brings the hunter sticks and takes the ducks to an island to heal.
9. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
2012. Grades K-3.
New girl, Maya, comes to school and tries to befriend Chloe. But Maya’s clothes are shabby, and Chloe continually rejects Maya’s attempts at friendship. When Ms. Albert teaches a lesson about kindness, Chloe realizes she has been cruel to Maya. But Maya’s family has moved away, and Chloe is left feeling shame and sorrow that she will never have a chance to show Maya kindness.
10. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
2012. Grades 3-7 ( Good for grade 5 read aloud)
August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face.
**Check out this website below for other book ideas. Books are arranged by grade level, and there are many suggestions.
Web Education
http://www.bu.edu/ccsr/resources/book-recommendations-to-use-in-the-classroom/