Lesson Plan
Kindness Catch!
Students will be able to define kindness and identify at least three ways to show kindness to others in their daily lives.
Teaching kindness helps build a positive and supportive classroom community where all students feel safe, valued, and respected. It fosters empathy and essential social-emotional skills, leading to happier and more harmonious interactions.
Audience
1st Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive learning and creative expression.
Materials
- Kindness Catch! Slide Deck, - Kindness Catcher Worksheet, and - Crayons or colored pencils
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Kindness Catch! Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content and talking points.
- Print enough copies of the Kindness Catcher Worksheet for each student.
- Gather crayons or colored pencils for the drawing activity.
- Ensure the projector or interactive whiteboard is ready for the slide deck presentation.
- Review all generated materials as needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What is Kindness?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students what they think 'kindness' means. (Refer to Kindness Catch! Slide Deck - Slide 1)
- Facilitate a brief discussion, letting students share their initial thoughts and examples.
- Introduce the idea that kindness is about being friendly, generous, and considerate to others.
Step 2
Kindness in Action
10 minutes
- Present examples of kindness using the Kindness Catch! Slide Deck (Slides 2-4).
- Discuss each example, asking students how these actions make people feel.
- Share a very short, simple story about a kind act (e.g., helping a friend, sharing a toy, saying 'please' and 'thank you'). (Refer to Kindness Catch! Script for specific dialogue and story points).
Step 3
Kindness Catcher Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute the Kindness Catcher Worksheet and crayons/colored pencils.
- Explain that students will draw or write (if they are able) three ways they can show kindness at school or at home. (Refer to Kindness Catch! Slide Deck - Slide 5)
- Circulate around the room, offering support and encouraging creative ideas.
Step 4
Share and Reflect
5 minutes
- Ask a few students to share one of their kindness ideas from their Kindness Catcher Worksheet with the class.
- Conclude by emphasizing that everyone can be a 'Kindness Catcher' and spread kindness every day. (Refer to Kindness Catch! Slide Deck - Slide 6)
- End with a positive affirmation about the power of kindness.
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Slide Deck
What is Kindness?
What does it mean to be kind?
How does it feel to be kind?
How does it feel when someone is kind to you?
Ask students: 'What do you think kindness means?' Let them share ideas. Guide them towards definitions like 'being friendly,' 'helpful,' or 'making someone feel good.'
Kindness in Action: Helping Hands
Helping a friend pick up their dropped books is kind!
Show this slide and ask: 'What is happening here? Is this kind? How would the person receiving help feel?' Emphasize helping others.
Kindness in Action: Sharing is Caring
Sharing your toys or snacks with a friend is kind!
Discuss sharing. Ask: 'Why is sharing kind? What if someone didn't share?' Connect it to making others feel included.
Kindness in Action: Kind Words
Using polite words like 'please,' 'thank you,' and 'excuse me' is kind!
Focus on polite words. Ask: 'What are some kind words we can use? How do 'please' and 'thank you' make a difference?'
Your Kindness Catcher!
Now it's your turn to be a Kindness Catcher!
Draw or write three ways you can show kindness at school or at home.
Introduce the worksheet. Explain that students will draw or write ideas. Encourage creativity and thinking about different ways to be kind.
Be a Kindness Catcher!
You have the power to spread kindness everywhere you go!
Let's all be Kindness Catchers today!
Conclude by reminding students they have the power to spread kindness. Encourage them to try one act of kindness today. End with a positive message.
Script
Kindness Catch! Script
Warm-Up: What is Kindness? (Slide 1)
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super special that makes our classroom, our homes, and our whole world a better place. We're going to talk about kindness!"
"Look at our first slide: What is Kindness? What comes to your mind when you hear that word? Turn to a partner quickly and share one idea of what kindness might be. You have 30 seconds!"
(Pause for student discussion)
"Okay, class, let's hear some amazing ideas! Who would like to share what they discussed?"
(Call on a few students. Affirm their responses.)
"Fantastic ideas! Kindness is all about being friendly, generous, and considerate to others. It's about making people feel happy and loved. It's like a superpower we all have inside us!"
Kindness in Action (Slides 2-4)
"Now, let's look at some examples of kindness in action. We'll see how people use their kindness superpowers!"
Helping Hands (Slide 2)
"Look at this picture. What do you see happening?
"
"Yes! One friend is helping another pick up their dropped books. How do you think the friend who dropped their books feels?
"
"Exactly! They probably feel thankful and happy that someone cared enough to help. Helping others is a wonderful way to show kindness!"
Sharing is Caring (Slide 3)
"What about this next picture? What are these friends doing?
"
"That's right, they're sharing! One friend is sharing their toy. Why is sharing a kind thing to do?
"
"Sharing helps everyone have fun and feel included. When you share, you're telling your friends, 'I care about you!'"
Kind Words (Slide 4)
"Now, let's look at our last example. What kind of words do you think these children are using?
"
"They're using polite words like 'please,' 'thank you,' and 'excuse me.' How does it make you feel when someone says 'please' or 'thank you' to you?
"
"It makes you feel respected and appreciated, right? Using kind words is a simple but powerful way to show kindness every day!"
"I have a quick story to share. One sunny afternoon, a little bird named Pip saw a tiny worm struggling to get out of a puddle. Pip knew the worm needed help, so he gently picked up a leaf and used it to guide the worm to dry ground. The worm wiggled happily and chirped a tiny 'thank you!' Pip felt warm and fuzzy inside. He knew he had done something kind, and it made both him and the worm feel good!"
Kindness Catcher Activity (Slide 5)
"Now it's your turn to be a Kindness Catcher! I'm going to give you a special Kindness Catcher Worksheet. On this worksheet, I want you to draw or, if you're comfortable, write three ways you can show kindness at school or at home. Think about what we just talked about and other ideas you have! You can draw a picture of yourself helping a friend, sharing a snack, or saying something kind."
(Distribute worksheets and crayons/colored pencils. Circulate and assist students as they work.)
Share and Reflect (Slide 6)
"Okay, artists and writers! Let's bring it back together. Who would like to share one of their amazing kindness ideas from their Kindness Catcher Worksheet with the class? Don't worry if it's not perfect, all kindness ideas are wonderful!
"
(Call on a few students to share.)
"Those are truly wonderful ideas! Remember, everyone, you have the power to spread kindness everywhere you go. Every little act of kindness makes a big difference. Let's all try to be 'Kindness Catchers' today and every day! You are all amazing, kind-hearted students!"
Worksheet
Kindness Catcher Worksheet
Be a Kindness Catcher!
Think about all the ways you can be kind. In the boxes below, draw or write three different ways you can show kindness at school or at home!
1. My First Kindness Idea:
2. My Second Kindness Idea:
3. My Third Kindness Idea: