Anyone that has spent enough time with me knows I have a go-to phrase: it takes zero dollars to be a decent human being. In a world where we can be anything, we should strive to be kind (and just) always. It’s important to incorporate kindness resources in classrooms with regularity. We cannot just teach one SEL lesson and call it a day. Kindness is something that must be woven into the very fabric of a school community.
After a hard year, 2021 presents us with a unique opportunity. I don’t believe in freak chances. Divine interventions? For sure. And so it’s no coincidence to me that No Name-Calling Week (NNCW) happens to begin on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and will include the inauguration of our 46th president, Joe Biden, a man that has overcome a stutter and name-calling most of his life.
Both of these men and events are a wonderful way to promote kindness and teach empathy to our students. This year, No Name-Calling Week (NNCW) takes place January 18-22, 2021, followed by The Great Kindness Challenge (GKC) the next week (January 25-29, 2021). The back-to-back events are a great opportunity to promote kindness and do-good acts. After a difficult 2020, I think we can all get behind that! I’ve even got kindness resources to get you started (affiliate links included):
Kindness Books
As many schools are still socially distanced and remote teaching, I have found several easy reads on Epic!, a free website for students and educators to enjoy several books, books like:
- I Am Kind by Jenny Fretland Vanvoorst has young readers explore the meaning of kindness and learn how to exhibit it themselves in this helpful title.
- What Does It Mean To Be Kind? by Rana DiOrio and illustrated by Stรฉphane Jorisch provides students with real-world examples of how to be kind. A girl in a red hat finds the courage to be kind to the new student in her class. The girl’s kindness spreads, kind act by kind act.
- Building Character: Showing Kindness by Rebecca Pettiford has beginning readers learning about all the ways they can be kind and considerate in their daily lives.
- Henry Is Kind by Linda Ryden and illustrated by Shearry Malone is a classroom-tested resource for social and emotional learning. If you have the time for a read aloud, I like this one most!
For these and other titles, check out my Kindness Collection on Epic. WeAreTeachers has a whole other list of teacher-recommended books for teaching kindness.
Kindness Activities
- The Kindness Kit by EspeciallyEducation – Throw kindness around like confetti with this bright DIY dรฉcor, affirmation posters included.
- Sprinkle Kindness Donut by Michelle Hudgeons (Smitten with First) – Who doesn’t love a good craftivity?! This donut arts and crafts is a great standalone writing activity or read aloud follow up. There’s even a digital version as well if you’re still remote!
- Kindness Math Art by Light Bulbs and Laughter – If you can’t pull yourself away from the curriculum, these little quilt squares are differentiated for math instruction. Students will solve math facts and color the corresponding pieces of their square. At the end, you can put them all together on a bulletin board for a unique kindness quilt display!
- Kindness Mazes by Thinking Zing Counseling – For older kids, these mazes incorporate kind sayings, kindness challenges, and reflection questions throughout the labyrinths. I love these for brain breaks and early finishers!
- Kindness Rocks Project by Stress Free Teaching – This blog post outlines one teacher friend’s experience with the Kindness Rocks Project, another simple arts and crafts project kids will absolutely love!
- Share the Love Kindness Task Cards by Letsbefranco – With this download, 52 task cards prompt students to show kindness in their school. From staff to peers, these cards give students an opportunity to share the love and display random acts of kindness!
- Kindness Journal Activity by Fifth Is My JAM – This 18-page packet includes DIY bookmarks, a journal template, and posters for the classroom. Students love personalizing the bookmarks and promoting kindness all week long!
Kindness Prompts
Practicing what I preach: it takes zero dollars to be a decent human being! Enter your email address below and receive an instant download of the 16 student prompts I’ll be sharing with my class throughout the NNCW and GKC weeks. I’ve included both print and digital versions, depending on your needs. The print version has 4 discussion prompts to a page in full-color. Simply print, cut, and display around your room or place in a writing center for the week.
The digital version is a Google Slides resource that can be downloaded as a PowerPoint if you’re in a Microsoft school. Students will type their responses directly onto the slides. I ended up making a Flipgrid for each prompt so my students have the option to respond with text or video commentary. Do you, boo!
Additional Supports
For additional literature and resources, check out GLSEN. Formerly the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, this organization is sharing lessons and resources for “disrupting anti-LGBTQ+ harassment and bias-based bullying” while inviting LGBTQ+ students to “assert what they want to be called.”
ACTIONABLE STEPS: Sign up to participate in GLSEN’s No Name-Calling Week and sign up your school for The Great Kindness Challenge to receive your official kindness checklist! I’d love to hear from you in the comments below – how are you promoting kindness in action within your community?
