Want a lesson with a great book , a cool craft, and a class extension? If yes… then check this out? First of all, if you haven’t read the book Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, do yourself a favor and check it out.
I have done this lesson with 4th and 5th grades and they love it!
Supplies needed: Rocks (available at Dollar Tree) one per student, Metallic Paint Pens or Sharpies, Book Each Kindness by J. Woodson (YouTube read -alouds available, but I love reading this one IRL), PPT to guide available here. heart shape glass bowls available at Dollar Tree- one per classroom.
Procedures:
1.Introduce the concept of Empathy. (I make up motions for the word and teach it to the whole class). “Understanding how other people feel.” or “Standing in someone else’s shoes”
2. Read Book Each Kindness (the kids never like how it ends because it is unresolved and isn’t tied up in a pretty bow. I ask to show a tumbs up, middle, down if a situation like this could happen at this school.
3. Present the idea to the students that although it is difficult to show kindness to a person who is being left out, you can do a little gesture (smile, wave, say hello) which means a lot to that person. Each kindness counts. Today we will emphasize that Kindness Rocks…. by making kindness rocks.
4. Tell students, “These rocks will be kept in your classroom so that if you see someone down in the dumps or sad, you can take a rock from the bowl and simply place it on that students desk. Show examples (in PPT) of what rocks can look like. (The fewer words the better aesthetically).
5. Distribute rocks to each student and encourage them to use one or two words only as they are hard to read when too many words.
6. If there is time in the lesson, play Life Vest song about how kindness spreads like a ripple effect… and even comes back to you.
Let me know if you have any questions and I hope your students enjoy this lesson as much as mine did. 🙂 ~ Lisa
As usual Lisa, LOVE it!
Thanks Meredith!!