Kindness is King
D’Metriss Bannerman Holmes
DBannerman@schools.nyc.gov; MsB503@gmail.com
P.S. 72 - The Lexington Academy - Pre K 208
INTRODUCTION:
Boys and girls, our classroom needs Kindness Kings and Kindness Queens!
Sometimes people feel sad, left out, frustrated, lonely, or scared. But kind words and kind actions can help people feel safe, happy, and loved.
This week, we are going on a Kindness Quest to learn how we can help others with our words, actions, and hearts.
Are you ready to become Kindness Royalty?
TASK
By the end of 4 weeks, students will create a Crown of Kindness. Using a scenario sorting activity, children will sort through unkind and kind picture scenarios and identify kindness images to place as “Jewels” on their Kindness Crown.
Time Frame:
1 week
PROCESS
Students will work:
● Whole group
● Turn-and-talk partners
● Small groups
● Independent drawing activities
Students will use teacher-selected read alouds, videos, songs, classroom discussions, and role-play activities.
Books:
● "Kindness Makes Us Strong"
● "The Rabbit Listened"
● "All Are Welcome"
● "How to Be Kind in Kindergarten"
● "Last Stop on Market Street"
Online Resources:
● Sesame Street kindness videos
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enaRNnEzwi4
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNNcpAcF0GM
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brOKBsOs4Ik
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdm4Oh1qNIE
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuMY2noPt08&list=RDyuMY2noPt08&start_radio=1
● GoNoodle kindness activities
○ https://www.gonoodle.com/videos/LYEV4X/be-kind
SWBAT: Determine if we are always kind to our friends
Question: “What does it look like when we are unkind?”
Students will:
● Discuss classroom friendship problems
● Identify examples of unkind behavior
● Create an anchor chart of classroom problems
Examples:
● Hitting
● Not sharing
● Excluding others
● Using mean words
● Taking toys
Activity: #KindnessRules Kindness Sort By: Erin Hagey (TPT)
Stage 1 Ungraded Class Product: Class “Kindness Problems” chart
SWBAT: Identify unkind behaviors.
Students will become “Kindness Detectives” and:
● Observe classroom behaviors
● Watch kindness video clips
● Identify examples of kind and unkind choices
● Discuss how actions make others feel
Activity: Social Skills Game Kindness Flowers Sorting & Matching By The Deane’s List (TPT)
Stage 2 Ungraded Class Product: Teacher records student observations on chart paper.
3. Identify the Causes
SWBAT: Identify “Why people sometimes make unkind
choices?”
Students will discuss:
● Feeling angry
● Feeling sad
● Wanting a toy
● Not knowing how others feel
● Feeling left out
● Being frustrated
Activity: Students will role-play emotions and friendship situations. (TPT: Kindness Scenarios By: My Day in K)
Stage 3 Ungraded Class Product: Feelings and Causes chart
4. Evaluate an Existing Policy
Existing Classroom Policy: “We use kind words and kind hands.”
SWBAT: Determine if current class rules are working or not.
Teacher will review classroom rules and expectations with class.
Students will discuss:
● Are the rules helping?
● Which rules work well?
● Which problems still happen?
Activity: Students will role play and have a discussion about following classroom kindness rules. (Kindness Day Activities By: Miss Eve’s Little Explorers)
Stage 4 Ungraded Class Product: Student Vote/Graph on whether or not the kindness rules work and if we need more or to change them.
SWBAT: Brainstorm ways to improve kindness in the classroom.
Possible Solutions:
● Friendship helpers
● Kindness compliment jar
● Sharing reminders
● Calm-down corner
● Helping friends solve problems
● Kindness stickers
● Daily kindness challenge
Activity: Teacher charts ideas.
Stage 5 Ungraded Class Product: Class kindness brainstorming poster/
6. Select the Best Solution (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness)
SWBAT: Choose the idea easiest to do and help the most people?”
Students will vote on the best classroom kindness solution.
Class will select:
● One kindness goal
● One kindness classroom promise
Activity: Students will vote/graph the best idea.
Ungraded Stage 6 Class Product: Class Graph
EVALUATION
Below is an example of the rubric for the Kindness Kingdom. Over the course of the week students will collect/earn jewels as they complete activities, acts of kindness, scenarios, and participate. This rubric will be used to rate how well each student learned and demonstrated the concept of kindness.
|
Skill Area/ Skill Level |
Royal Novice 💎 |
Royal Helper👑 |
Kindness Leader 👑💎 |
Kindness Royalty👑 💎💎 |
|
Participates in Discussions |
Participates with Support |
Participates SOME of the time |
Participate MOST of the Time |
Participates Independently |
|
Identifies Kind Actions |
Identifies kind actions with support |
Identifies SOME kind actions |
Identifies MANY kind actions |
Consistently recognizes and explains kind actions |
|
Understands Feelings |
Needs reminders to identify feelings with little to no explanations |
Identifies SOME feelings and few explanations |
Identifies MANY feelings with some explanations |
Clearly explains feelings and shows empathy |
|
Problem Solving |
Suggests solutions with support |
Suggests BASIC solutions sometimes used |
Offers MANY suggestions and often uses own solutions |
Offers thoughtful and helpful suggestions consistently |
|
Work with Others |
Needs reminders to cooperate |
Cooperates SOME of the time |
Cooperates MOST of the time |
Consistently works kindly and respectfully with others |
|
Completes Kindness Missions |
Needs support to complete kind missions |
Completes SOME of the kindness missions |
Completes MOST of the kindness missions |
Completes missions independently and enthusiastically |
|
Crown Jewels Earned |
Earned a 0 - 2 Kindness Jewels |
Earned a 3 - 5 Kindness Jewels |
Earned 6 - 8 Kindness Jewels |
Earned 9 or more Kindness Jewels |
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Students earn jewel pictures to color, cut, and glue onto their crowns when they:
● Share with a friend
● Use kind words
● Help someone
● Include others in play
● Solve problems peacefully
● Show empathy
● Listen respectfully
● Complete kindness missions
● Participate in discussions
● Demonstrate classroom kindness
At the end of the unit, students will participate in a “Kindness Royalty Celebration” where they will wear their completed crowns and be officially crowned:
👑 Kindness Kings
👑 Kindness Queens
👑 Kindness Royalty
CONCLUSION
Congratulations, Kindness Royalty!
You worked together as Kindness Kings and Queens to help solve real friendship problems in Kindergarten Kingdom. You learned that kind words, kind actions, empathy, and teamwork can help people feel safe, happy, included, and loved.
Throughout this WebQuest, you became Kindness Detectives, problem-solvers, and classroom leaders. You gathered evidence by noticing kind and unkind behaviors, discussed why friendship problems happen, and created solutions to help make your classroom a better place for everyone.
Now that you are official Kindness Royalty, how can you continue spreading kindness outside of the classroom?
Think about:
● How can you show kindness at home?
● How can you help friends on the playground?
● How can you include others in your community?
● How can your kindness make the world a better place?
Remember:
Even small acts of kindness can make a BIG difference.
The Kingdom of Kindness needs leaders like YOU every single day!
STANDARDS:
Regulates responses to needs, feelings, and events.
Recognizes self as an individual having unique abilities, characteristics, feelings, and interests.
Develops positive relationships with peers.
Demonstrates pro-social problem-solving skills in social interactions.
Understands and follows routines and rules.
Participates in collaborative conversations with diverse peers and adults in small and large groups and during play.
Interacts with diverse formats and texts.
Creates a visual display.
Actively engages in play as a means of exploration and learning.
Exhibits curiosity, interest, and willingness to learn new things and have new experiences.
Students will:
● Develop an understanding of classroom roles and responsibilities
● Demonstrate respect for others
● Participate in group problem-solving
● Practice citizenship and cooperation within the classroom community
Sources:
● New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards
● New York State Early Learning Guidelines