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Kindness: Ripple Effect

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Lesson Plan

Kindness: Ripple Effect

Students will be able to define kindness, identify various acts of kindness, and explain how kindness creates a ripple effect, applying these concepts to their own lives and understanding its impact on individuals and the community.

Teaching kindness helps students develop empathy, improve social connections, and foster a more positive and inclusive classroom and school environment. It's a fundamental life skill that contributes to overall well-being and community harmony.

Audience

6th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, real-life examples, and reflective activities.

Materials

Prep

Review Materials & Setup

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What is Kindness?

5 minutes

  • Begin with the Kindness Warm-Up activity.
    - Ask students to individually brainstorm what kindness means to them and one act of kindness they witnessed or performed.
    - Briefly share a few responses as a whole class.

Step 2

Introduction: The Ripple Effect

7 minutes

  • Present the initial slides of the Kindness Slide Deck to introduce the concept of kindness and the 'ripple effect'.
    - Use the examples provided to illustrate how one act of kindness can spread.
    - Facilitate a short discussion using prompts from the Kindness Discussion Guide on initial thoughts about the ripple effect.

Step 3

Group Discussion: Real-Life Kindness

10 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups.
    - Provide each group with a scenario (from the Kindness Discussion Guide) and ask them to discuss how kindness can be applied and what the ripple effect might look like.
    - Have groups share their ideas with the class, noting key takeaways on the whiteboard/chart paper.

Step 4

Cool-Down: My Kindness Pledge

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Kindness Cool Down activity.
    - Ask students to reflect on what they've learned and write down one specific act of kindness they will commit to doing.
    - Collect the cool-down slips as an exit ticket.
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Slide Deck

Kindness: The Ripple Effect

How a single act of kindness can spread far and wide!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of kindness. Explain that today we'll explore how kindness spreads.

What is Kindness?

Is it saying 'please' and 'thank you'?
Is it helping someone in need?
Is it being a good friend?

What does kindness look like, sound like, and feel like?

Ask students: 'What does kindness mean to you?' Allow a few moments for silent reflection, then invite a few students to share their thoughts. This connects to the warm-up activity.

The Ripple Effect of Kindness

Imagine dropping a pebble into a calm pond...

The ripples spread out, getting bigger and bigger.

Kindness works the same way! Your small act can create big changes.

Introduce the metaphor of the 'ripple effect'. Explain how a stone dropped in water creates expanding circles, just like kindness. Emphasize that even small acts matter.

An Example: A Compliment

You give a friend a genuine compliment.
-> Your friend feels happy and confident.
-> Your friend smiles at a stranger.
-> The stranger feels seen and later helps someone else.

One compliment, many happy people!

Provide a concrete example to illustrate the ripple effect. Encourage students to think about similar situations they've experienced or observed.

Your Turn: Be a Ripple Maker!

How can you start a ripple of kindness today?

Think about home, school, and your community.

Prompt students to think about how they can be kind in their daily lives. This sets the stage for the group discussion and cool-down activity.

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Warm Up

Kindness Check-In!

Instructions: Take a moment to think about the questions below. You don't need to write anything down for now, just reflect in your mind.

  1. What does the word "kindness" mean to you?


  2. Describe one time you saw someone being kind. What happened?


  3. Describe one time you showed kindness to someone else. How did it feel?
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Discussion

Kindness: Ripple Effect Discussion Guide

Whole Class Introduction Prompts:

  1. When you hear the phrase "ripple effect," what comes to mind? Can you think of any examples in real life?


  2. How do you think a small act of kindness could create a big impact?


  3. Have you ever been the recipient of unexpected kindness? How did it make you feel? How did that feeling influence your actions afterward?


Small Group Scenarios:

Instructions: In your groups, read each scenario and discuss the questions that follow. Be ready to share your ideas with the class!

Scenario 1: The New Student

A new student just joined your class. They seem a little shy and sit alone during lunch.

  • What are some kind things you or your classmates could do for them?
  • How might these acts of kindness create a ripple effect, not just for the new student, but for the whole class or even the school?












Scenario 2: The Dropped Books

Someone in the hallway accidentally drops a huge stack of books and papers, and they scatter everywhere. Other students walk past, seemingly not noticing.

  • What would be a kind response in this situation?
  • What immediate impact would your kindness have? What about the potential long-term ripple effects on the person who dropped the books, yourself, and others who witnessed it?












Scenario 3: Online Comments

You see a comment online (or in a group chat) that is making fun of someone or is generally negative.

  • What is a kind way to respond or intervene in this situation (even if it's not directed at you)?
  • How could your kind action (or inaction) create a ripple effect in the online space or among your friends?
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Cool Down

My Kindness Pledge

Instructions: Please answer the following questions to reflect on what you've learned today.

  1. What is one new thing you learned or realized about kindness or the "ripple effect" today?


  2. What is one specific act of kindness you will commit to doing today or in the coming days? Be specific! (e.g., "I will compliment my teacher," or "I will help a family member with chores.")





  3. Who do you think will be impacted by your act of kindness? Describe the potential ripple effect.
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