Buddy Up Lesson Plan Buddy Up!
Lesson Plan • 1st Grade
Duration 30 Min
Why This Matters
Early social-emotional skills help prevent bullying and build a caring classroom community. This lesson empowers all first graders to spot unkind behavior and choose kindness.
Approach
Read-aloud, guided discussion, cooperative craft, and reflection.
1 Objective
Students will learn to recognize bullying and the power of kindness by creating a collaborative “Kindness Chain,” practicing friendly actions, and reflecting on how to be a buddy, not a bully.
2 Preparation
Print and gather the Buddy Up Storybook and Kindness Reflection Sheet .
Pre-cut construction paper into 6–8 strips per student.
Set up a display area (bulletin board or string) for the Kindness Chain.
Write the question “What is bullying?” on chart paper for class discussion.
Materials
Buddy Up Storybook
Construction Paper Strips
Child-Safe Scissors
Markers or Crayons
Chart Paper & Markers
Yarn or Bulletin Board
Reflection Sheets
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction & Read-Aloud
7 Minutes
• Gather students on the carpet and show them the cover of the Buddy Up Storybook .
• Ask: “What do you think bullying means?” Record answers on chart paper.
• Read the story, pausing to discuss moments when characters feel sad or scared.
• Highlight examples of unkind behaviors and kind choices.
2
Guided Discussion
5 Minutes
• Review chart paper ideas: name-calling, leaving someone out, teasing.
• Ask: “How do you feel when someone is unkind? How do you feel when someone is kind?”
• List on chart paper two columns: “Unkind Behavior” and “Kind Behavior.”
• Invite students to share real-life examples.
3
Kindness Chain Activity
12 Minutes
• Explain that each paper strip will share a kind action a student pledges to do.
• Demonstrate: “I will include someone in my game,” “I will use kind words.”
• Distribute strips, scissors, markers/crayons.
• Students write or draw one friendly promise on each strip.
• Help students staple or tape strips into a long paper chain and hang it in the classroom.
4
Reflection & Cool-Down
6 Minutes
• Hand out the Kindness Reflection Sheet .
• Students draw one kind thing they will do this week and write a sentence (with help).
• Invite a few volunteers to share their drawings.
• Close by saying: “Remember, small acts of kindness make big changes!”
Buddy Up Slides Buddy Up!
Be a Buddy, Not a Bully
A fun lesson on kindness and standing up to bullying.
Today's Objectives
1 Understand what bullying is
2 Identify kind vs. unkind behaviors
3 Pledge a friendly action to a classmate
What Is Bullying?
Bullying is when someone does or says mean things on purpose, over and over, to hurt someone’s feelings or to leave them out.
Mean Words
Leaving Out
Hurting Feelings
Story Time!
Let’s read the Buddy Up Storybook together.
"Notice when characters are unkind—and when they choose to be kind."
Unkind
Name-calling
Leaving out
Teasing
Kind
Using kind words
Including a friend
Helping someone
Kindness Chain
1
Take 4–6 strips of paper.
2
Write or draw one kind promise on each strip.
3
Staple strips to make a long chain!
My Promise:
"I will invite someone new to play!"
Reflection Time
Draw one kind thing you will do this week.
You Are a Buddy!
Small acts of kindness make big changes.
Let’s be buddies, not bullies!
Buddy Up Storybook Buddy Up!
A Story About Choosing Kindness
1
Jamie was excited for recess. She ran toward the swings and spotted her friend Mia—but Mia stood alone by the fence.
2
A group of kids whispered and giggled. One said, “We’re not letting Mia play with us.” Mia’s lip quivered and she felt hurt.
3
Jamie’s heart sank. She walked over and asked, “Why aren’t you playing together?” Mia sniffled, “They said I can’t join.”
4
Jamie knelt beside Mia. “That’s not kind,” Jamie said softly. “Let’s play together anyway.” Mia managed a small smile.
5
The two friends found Mr. Lopez, the playground helper. Jamie told him what happened and asked, “Can we all talk?” Mr. Lopez gathered the children around.
6
He said, “How would you feel if someone left you out?” One by one, the children lowered their heads. Then they said, “We’re sorry.”
7
Soon everyone took turns inviting Mia and Jamie to the swings, the slide, and the hopscotch squares. Laughter filled the playground once more.
8
After class, the teacher asked each student to write a kind promise on a paper heart. They linked the hearts into a long Kindness Chain and hung it in the hallway.
9
Every morning, Jamie and Mia waved at friends under the bright chain of hearts. Being kind felt good—and now kindness was the new game everyone wanted to play!
Kindness Chain Activity Kindness Chain
Collaborative Activity
Focus Cooperation & Empathy
Instructions
1
Show & Tell
Display a finished strip. Example: “I will include someone in my game.” Show how you decorated it!
2
Distribute Strips
Give each student 4–6 paper strips, scissors, and markers or crayons.
3
Write or Draw
Students write or draw a friendly promise on each strip (e.g., sharing, kind words, helping).
4
Link the Chain
Loop the strips, staple or tape, and link them together to create one giant classroom chain!
Materials
Construction paper strips
Child-safe scissors
Markers / Crayons
Stapler or Tape
Yarn (for hanging)
Teacher Tip
Drape the chain across a high bulletin board or string it along the wall. It serves as a daily visual reminder of the "kindness contract" students have made with each other.
Chain Link Template
Cut Here
My Kind Promise: __________________________________________________
Cut Here
My Kind Promise: __________________________________________________
Cut Here
My Kind Promise: __________________________________________________
Repeat this pattern to create more strips
Kindness Reflection Sheet Kindness Reflection
Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!
Name:
Date:
1
Draw one kind thing you will do this week:
2
Write a sentence about your promise.
I will
3
Who will you help? Draw them or write their name: Buddy Up Cool-Down Buddy Up! Cool-Down
Exit Ticket
Buddy:
Date:
1
What is one thing you learned about bullying or kindness today?
2
I will be a buddy by (write or draw your promise):
3
Who will you show kindness to this week?
Small acts make big changes!
You are a buddy,
not a bully!
Kindness Reflection Rubric Assessment Rubric
Kindness Reflection Sheet
Lesson Buddy Up!
Use this rubric to assess students’ Kindness Reflection Sheet . It evaluates their drawing, writing, recipient identification, and overall effort. This tool helps track individual growth in social-emotional understanding.
Criteria Beginning (1) Developing (2) Proficient (3) Exemplary (4) Clarity of Kind Action Drawing Drawing is unclear or unrelated to kindness. Drawing shows an attempt but lacks clear representation of a kind action. Drawing clearly shows a kind action that is recognizable. Drawing is detailed and vividly depicts a specific kind action with creativity. Quality of Written Promise No sentence or not a promise; does not start with “I will.” Simple sentence starts with “I will” but is vague or incomplete. Clear sentence that begins with “I will” and specifies a kind action. Detailed, specific sentence with correct grammar that shows enthusiasm. Identification of Recipient No one is identified. Recipient is mentioned but is generic (e.g., “someone”). Specific person or group is named or drawn. Recipient is clearly identified with a real connection or reason. Neatness & Effort Minimal effort; work is messy or incomplete. Some effort shown but presentation needs improvement. Work is neat, complete, and legible. Work is exceptionally neat, colorful, and shows extra care.
Total Score / 16
_____
Proficiency: 12+
Teacher Notes & Observations 
