Kindness Chain Lesson Plan Kindness Chain
Lesson Plan • Grades K-3
Time Allotment
25 Minutes
Why This Matters
In this lesson, students collaboratively create a 'kindness chain' using paper links. This activity symbolizes unity and a shared mission of spreading kindness, helping students understand teamwork and fostering a positive classroom environment.
Objective
Students will promote kindness and unity by identifying kind acts and contributing to a collaborative physical symbol of their shared values.
Materials
Colored paper strips
Markers or crayons
Glue or tape
Scissors
Kindness Chain Discussion Guide
"A Good Deed Can Grow" Video
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction to Kindness
5 Minutes
Begin with a brief discussion on what kindness means.
Show the video "Story: A Good Deed Can Grow" to illustrate how small acts can have a big impact.
Ask students to share examples of kind acts they have experienced or performed.
Explain the concept of a "kindness chain" and how each link represents an act of kindness.
2
Creating Kindness Links
15 Minutes
Distribute colored paper strips to each student (or the provided Link Template).
Instruct students to write or draw a kind word or action on their strip.
Assist students in connecting their strips to form a chain using glue or tape.
Encourage creativity and sharing of ideas as they work.
3
Reflective Discussion
5 Minutes
Gather students in a circle with the completed kindness chain.
Discuss how it feels to contribute to the chain and see it grow.
Ask students how they can continue spreading kindness in their daily lives.
Teacher Tip
Hang the chain in a prominent place in the classroom! As the week progresses, keep extra strips available so students can "add a link" whenever they see a classmate doing something kind.
Kindness Chain Discussion Guide Kindness Chain Discussion
Teacher Reflection Guide
Lesson Resource
Unit: Unity & Community
Use these prompts to guide students in reflecting on the physical act of building a chain and how it relates to their social actions.
1 What does kindness mean to you?
Encourage students to think about actions and feelings associated with kindness.
Teacher Notes / Student Responses
2 How did it feel to add your link to the kindness chain?
Discuss emotions and the sense of contribution to a group project.
Teacher Notes / Student Responses
3 What are some ways you can show kindness at school or home?
Guide students to think of practical and simple acts of kindness they can perform.
Teacher Notes / Student Responses
Pair-Share
Give students 30 seconds to talk to a partner before sharing with the whole class to increase participation.
Visual Link
Literally point to the connections in the chain while discussing how one act "holds up" another.
Kindness Chain Slides Kindness Chain
Building a Better World, One Link at a Time
What is Kindness?
Kindness is doing something nice for someone else without being asked.
Think about:
Helping a friend
Sharing a toy
Saying "Thank You"
Can you share an act of kindness you saw today?
Time to Watch!
A Good Deed Can Grow
Teacher: Play the video here.
(Story: A Good Deed Can Grow)
The Kindness Chain
Today, we are going to build a physical symbol of our kindness.
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🔗
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Every link counts!
1 How to Make Your Link
Write or Draw
Think of a kind act you did or saw.
Decorate
Make it colorful and bright!
Connect
Glue the ends to join the chain.
Together We Grow
Just like our chain, when we all work together with kindness, we create something strong and beautiful.
Kindness Link Template Kindness Links
NAME: ________________________________
DATE: ___________________
Activity Resource
Instructions
In the strips below, write a kind word or draw a picture of a kind act.
Color your strips with markers or crayons.
Ask a teacher for help cutting them out.
Connect them with your classmates to build the Kindness Chain!
Write or draw your kindness here
Write or draw your kindness here
Write or draw your kindness here
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."