Random Acts of Kindness Cards
Random Acts of Kindness Notes
Description: Print copies and cut (or have students cut) into 4 pieces. These Random Acts of Kindness cards are intended to be left behind at the scene of any act of kindness. This activity is a great activity to send home with students over winter break. Encourage studentsto consider the members of their families. Who are they grateful for? Whowould they like to show appreciation for by doing a random act of kindness? Share with the class a few examples of random acts of kindness ideas and then encourage them to brainstorm as a class their own ideas for random acts of kindness that they could do. Let your class know that you look forward to hearing about their Noticing and random acts of kindness experiences once you are back in the classroom. They are welcome to color the cards prior to actof kindness.
Here is an examples that you can use to get the brainstorming started:
Students could empty the dishwasher (without being asked), and leave a Random Act of Kindness Note taped on the dishwasher.
Materials Needed:
8 1/2 x 11 copy paperPaper cutter or scissorsColored pencils or crayons (optional)
Writing Prompt (Classroom)
What does it feel like in our classroom?
(encourage students to write independently or in small groups. If students write independently encourage small group conversation around their writing)
You can inspire students by asking them any of the following questions:
Are you proud to be in our class?What is your favorite thing about our classroom?When you need help who in our classroom will help you?When you describe our classroom to friends and family who do not get to be in our class, what do you tell them?
We are Worksheet
We Are Worksheets
Place students in small groups to complete the worksheets.
Encourage your students to brainstorm all of the good words that they can use to describe who we are as a class.
You can get the conversations started by using any or all of the following prompts:
What is your favorite thing about our class?
When was a time that you felt really good about being in our class?Whoare you grateful for in our class? Why?
How do you describe our class to family or friends who do not get to be in our class every day? Possible Materials:
pencil, pen, or colored pencils
Writing prompt (teachers)
Write about a teacher who has made a difference in your life?
(encourage students to write independently or in small groups. If students write independently encourage small group conversation around their writing)
You can inspire students by asking them any of the following questions:
Can you think of a time that a teacher was really there for you? How would you describe your favorite teacher or teachers?How are you a better student, and a better citizen because of a teacher?
You are the Rock in your Ripple
You Are The Rock In your Ripple
Have each member of your class (yourself included) write your name on a river rock. Then allow each person to toss his/ her rock into the water so that he or she can witness the ripples that the rock creates. Time permitting, allow the water to calm so that each person can witness his or her own ripples.
Possible Materials:
River rocks (one per student) Sharpies (metallic sharpies work well on darker rocks) a container or small body of water (ex. bucket, baby pool, or small pond)
Writing Prompt (family)
What makes you grateful for your family?
(encourage students to write independently or in small groups. If students write independently encourage small group conversation around their writing)
You can inspire students by asking them any of the following questions:
Who are the people in your family?What is your favorite thing to do with your family?When you need help who in your family will help you?Where is your favorite place to hang out with your family?
I wish my teacher knew...
I Wish my teacher knew...
This activity is inspired by Kyle Schwartz's "I wish my teacher knew" movement. "This one question can change everything for kids." It is a wonderful way for you to discover something new about your student and continue to build upon your relationship. This is a great time of year to check in with your student.
Writing Prompt (Gratitude)
I AM proud to go to school here because...
(encourage students to write independently or in small groups. If students write independently encourage small group conversation around their writing)
You can inspire students by asking them any of the following questions:
Are you proud to be in our school? What is your favorite thing about our school?When you need help who in our school will help you?When you describe our school to friends and family what do you tell them?
You are Notes
Send "YOU ARE" notes to another school
Print out at least one "YOU ARE" note for each student in your class (four cards can be cut per worksheet). Choose a school in your district or community that you can send positivity to. You can choose to send notes to the entire school as a whole or to a particular class at that school.
Have each member of your class complete one or more "YOU ARE" Notes.
Encourage your students to add a word(s) to complete the "YOU ARE" statement such as "YOU ARE amazing", "YOU ARE so very smart", "YOU ARE strong", "YOU ARE Noticed".
*Students may want to add a colorful touch to the letters with markers, crayons, or colored pencils. They can also add a message to the back sideof the "YOU ARE" note.
Writing Prompt (Noticing goodness)
What goodness have you Noticed about your community?
(encourage students to write independently or in small groups. If students write independently encourage small group conversation around their writing)
You can inspire students by asking them any of the following questions:
What are some of the jobs in our community?Who are you grateful for in our community? Our city?How do the people of our community make our community better?What inspires you about our community?
World Research Project
How will you make a difference in the world?
Description:
1. Ask students to pick a person (past or present) who inspires them because of the difference that he or she has made in the world.
2. Ask the students to research that person and record what goodness there is to Notice about him or her.
3. Ask students to think about how this person inspires them to make a difference in the world.
Writing Prompt (Noticing goodness)
What goodness can we Notice about our world?
(encourage students to write independently or in small groups. If students write independently encourage small group conversation around their writing)
You can inspire students by asking them any of the following questions:
What is your favorite thing about living on planet earth?Who makes the world a better place?How are kids making a difference in the world?What inspires you about our world?
Get Creative and Take Action
Get Creative and Connect
Use whatever platform you are most comfortable with to create a positive connection with another class at a different school. Maybe technology is your thing and you want to utilize Zoom, Google Meets, or Microsoft Teams to start conversations. Maybe you want to use paper and pencil and connect as pen pals with the students at another school. Either approach is great.
Here are a few questions you can use to start the conversation:
What are some of your favorite things about your school? What are some of the best things about your classroom? Who are some of the most helpful people in your school? What do you do to celebrate goodness at your school?
Materials Needed:
Computer with internet connection or, Paper and pencil
Writing prompt (Noticing)
How much goodness could be rippled out by Noticing the goodness in yourself and others?
You can inspire students by asking them any of the following questions:
· Can you think of a time that you felt really proud of yourself?
· Who Noticed you, and what did he or she say to you to compliment you?
· Where were you when this happened?
· Have you ever giving someone a compliment? What was that like?
· What would it be like if EVERYONE Noticed the goodness in themselves and others?
Materials Needed:
· Notebook paper
· Pencil or pen
(encourage students to write independently or in small groups. If students write independently encourage small group conversation around their writing)
You are Noticed
Giant You are Noticed Poster Card
Description: Create a giant card to send to another school.
Students can participate in the creation of the poster card itself and/or they can simply sign their names to the card that you create.
** If you have done some discovery to know some specific goodnesses that you can Notice about the school or a classroom you can write a note on the back of the poster to share your compliment. Your students can learn about what another school, or class at another school, is doing by reading your school districts newsletter or the local newspaper. Possible Materials:
Poster Board or Foam BoardMarkers, sharpies, or paint
Writing Prompt: How will you change the world?
How will you change the world?
Ask students to think about how they will change the world? Do they make a difference every day- just by being the best versions of themselves? How do they ripple goodness daily? Examples: smiling at people, Noticing the goodness in themselves and others? Helping others? Being kind? Being inclusive? Using manners? Being positive? What happens when someone ripples negativity? Can we have a bad day and still ripple goodness? How? We impact the people around us every day. We MATTER! What ripples will they choose? What is their legacy? Have them write their thoughts?
Family Portrait
Draw Your Family
Have your students draw a picture of each member of there family.
Options:
· Utilize these art pieces to create the "Family" bulletin board suggestion in this month's Bulleting Board link .
· Once you have enjoyed these art pieces in your classroom send them home to parents, grandparents, or other caregivers with a short note from their student that simple says "Thank you for being my family." Possible Materials:
pencils, crayons, markers
white piece of paper or cardstock for each class member
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