Being Kind

Behavioral Skills, School-Related Activities, Social Interactions

Pre-K, Elementary, Middle School

Learning Objectives
  • Understand what it means to be kind
  • Identify ways to show kindness through actions and words
  • Recognize how kindness affects others’ feelings
  • Practice helping, sharing, and encouraging as acts of kindness
  • Understand that small gestures can make a big difference
  • Reflect on daily opportunities to be kind at school and home
  • Build empathy, friendship, and a sense of community through kindness

Kindergarten
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1 – Participate in collaborative conversations
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.6 – Speak audibly and express ideas clearly
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.6 – Use words and phrases acquired through conversations

Grade 1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1 – Participate in collaborative conversations
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.4 – Describe people and events with relevant details
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.6 – Use new vocabulary to describe emotions and actions

Grade 2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1 – Engage in conversations with peers and adults
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.4 – Tell about experiences using appropriate facts and details
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.6 – Use acquired words to describe actions, emotions, and choices

Grade 3
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1 – Engage in discussions with diverse partners
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.4 – Report on a topic using appropriate details
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.6 – Use domain-specific vocabulary to describe social behavior

Grade 4
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1 – Engage effectively in collaborative discussions
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.4 – Report on a topic with appropriate facts and examples
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.6 – Use academic and social-emotional vocabulary accurately

Grade 5
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1 – Participate in discussions, building on others’ ideas
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.4 – Present information clearly with organized ideas
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.6 – Use vocabulary to express ideas about relationships and emotions

Grade 6
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1 – Participate in collaborative discussions
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.4 – Present claims and ideas clearly and logically
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.6 – Use vocabulary to discuss kindness, empathy, and behavior

Grade 7
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1 – Engage in collaborative discussions
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.4 – Present claims and findings with clear descriptions and examples
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.6 – Use precise and descriptive vocabulary for social-emotional learning

Grade 8
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1 – Initiate and participate in discussions
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.4 – Present ideas clearly and thoughtfully using relevant examples
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.6 – Use vocabulary to express empathy, choices, and social understanding

  • The student will name at least three ways to show kindness (e.g., helping, sharing, smiling) in 4 out of 5 structured opportunities by [date].
  • The student will describe how an act of kindness might make someone feel in 3 out of 4 discussions with visual support by [date].
  • The student will role-play a kind interaction with a peer in 4 out of 5 guided practice sessions by [date].
  • The student will identify a moment in their day when they showed kindness and explain what they did in 3 out of 4 reflections by [date].
  • The student will respond to a peer’s need (e.g., feeling sad or lonely) with a kind suggestion during role-play in 3 out of 4 opportunities by [date].
  • The student will answer the question “What can I do to be kind today?” with a specific idea in 4 out of 5 therapy sessions by [date].

Related Companion Activity

Being Kind