Kindness Sparks Lesson Plan
Kindergarten • SEL Lesson Plan
Kindness Sparks: Warm Hearts, Bright Smiles
30 Minutes
Core Objective
Students identify what kindness looks and sounds like, and demonstrate at least one kind action toward a peer.
CASEL Competencies
Relationship Skills: Positive communication & helping others.
Social Awareness: Empathy & caring for feelings.
Materials Needed
• Kindness Sparks Slides
• Kindness Badge Activity Sheets
• Crayons / washable markers
• Soft "Kindness Ball" or plush toy
0m 5m 12m 20m 27m 30m
1. Warm-Up (5m)
2. Teach (7m)
3. Scenarios (8m)
4. Badge Art (7m)
5. Pledge (3m)
1 Circle Warm-Up: The Smile Spark (5 Minutes)
Slides 1–2
Action: Gather students in a circle on the rug. Hold a soft heart plush or cheerful prop.
"Friends, when you receive a big warm hug or a high five, how does your heart feel? Put both hands over your heart. Warm? Cozy? Happy? That cozy feeling is called kindness! Today we are going to learn how to spark kindness everywhere we go!"
Quick Warm-Up Drill: Turn to a shoulder partner, give them your biggest sunny smile, and say: "I'm glad you're here today!" Notice how smiling makes both of your bodies feel calm and happy.
2 Interactive Teaching: The 3 Clues of Kindness (7 Minutes)
Slide 3
What It LOOKS Like
- Gentle hands
- Sharing blocks and toys
- Smiling faces
- Helping pick up fallen items
What It SOUNDS Like
- "Please" and "Thank you"
- "Do you want to play?"
- "Are you okay?"
- "You did a great job!"
What It FEELS Like
- Safe and cozy inside
- Included and welcomed
- Proud of doing good
- Calm and joyful
Movement Anchor: Teach the "Kindness Spark" gesture: Tap index fingers together like a spark, then blossom hands outward into an open heart! Practice 3 times together.
Kindness Sparks Lesson Plan • Page 1 of 2
Application, Reflection & Teacher Toolset
Minutes 12 – 30
3 Kindness Detectives: Scenario Roleplay (8 Minutes)
Slides 4–5
Present 2 quick classroom scenarios. Invite two student volunteers to act out the kind solution while the class flashes their "Kindness Spark" gesture.
Scenario A: Spilled Crayons
Problem: A classmate accidentally trips and all their crayons scatter across the floor. They look sad.
Kind Action: Kneel down, say "I can help you pick them up!" and gather crayons together.
Scenario B: Playing Alone
Problem: At recess or center time, a classmate is sitting alone on the bench watching everyone else.
Kind Action: Walk over, smile, and say "Do you want to build blocks with me?"
4 Kindness Badge Art (7 Min)
Send students to desks with the Kindness Sparks Activity Sheet. Students draw their own kind act inside the badge and circle kind choices.
• Teacher Prompt: "Draw you and a friend sharing a toy or giving a high five!"
• Circulate and scribe student words (e.g., "I share my markers").
5 Circle Pledge & Close (3 Min)
Slide 6
Reconvene on the carpet wearing or holding badges. Lead call-and-response pledge:
"I have gentle hands. (Students repeat)"
"I have helpful words. (Students repeat)"
"I am a kindness spark! (Students repeat & cheer)"
Differentiation & Multi-Tiered Supports
For Emerging / ELL:
Use nonverbal hand gestures (spark hands, smile pointing) and picture icon communication cards.
For Sensory Seekers:
Provide a squishy stress heart during listening time; allow standing during roleplay demonstrations.
For Early Finishers:
Ask student to whisper a kind compliment to their neighbor or draw a second kind scene on the back.
Formative Assessment Quick Checklist (Observe during class)
| Skill / Observation | Not Yet | In Progress | Mastered |
|---|
| Can articulate or point to a kind action (sharing, helping, comforting) | | | |
| Uses a polite phrase during roleplay or activity ("Please", "Thank you", "Can I help?") | | | |
| Demonstrates respectful body language toward peers during partner turn | | | |
Kindness Sparks Lesson Plan • Page 2 of 2
Kindness Sparks Slides
Kindergarten Circle Time 30-Minute SEL
Kindness Sparks!
How small acts of love make big smiles in our classroom
Today's Big Question: How can you be a kindness helper today?
Discover
What is Kindness?
"Kindness is doing or saying something that makes another person's heart feel warm and happy!"
Warm Smiles
Gentle Hands
Helpful Words
Secret Clues
The 3 Clues of Kindness
LOOKS LIKE
Sharing toys, taking turns, and helping friends pick up
SOUNDS LIKE
"Please," "Thank you," and "Do you want to play?"
FEELS LIKE
Warm, cozy, calm, and happy inside your chest
Let's do our Spark gesture: Tap fingers, then bloom a heart!
Detective Case #1 What would YOU do?
"Uh-oh! Leo dropped his box of crayons and they rolled across the carpet!"
A
Kind Action
Kneel down gently and help pick up crayons together.
B
Kind Words
Say: "Don't worry, Leo! I can help you pick them up."
Detective Case #2 What would YOU do?
"Maya is sitting alone on the bench during recess. She looks lonely."
A
Kind Action
Walk over with a friendly wave and a big smile.
B
Kind Words
Say: "Hi Maya! Would you like to build blocks with me?"
Circle Close
Our Classroom Kindness Pledge
Hand over heart • Repeat together with pride!
"I will use gentle hands."
"I will speak kind words."
"I will spark kindness every day!"
You are officially Kindness Champions!
