Respect Circle Teacher Guide
Kindergarten Lesson Guide
Respect Circle Teacher Plan
30 Minutes
Focus: Kind Words & Listening
"Respect is treating others with kindness and listening to their words." This lesson teaches kindergarteners active listening and turn-taking without any classroom movement.
Objectives
- ★ Demonstrate active listening (quiet body, looking eyes).
- ★ Practice waiting patiently for a turn to speak.
- ★ Use "magic respectful words" while staying seated.
Prep & Materials
- Respect Circle Slides
- Kindness Keepers Worksheets
- Clipboards (for rug use)
- Crayons / Pencils for students
Key Vocabulary
Respect: Treating others with kindness and listening to their words.
Active Listening: Listening with your whole body (eyes, ears, quiet mouth).
30-Minute Lesson Timeline
0 - 5 Min
Seated Circle Introduction
Students sit in assigned rug spots. Introduce "respect" through physical demonstrations of active listening (sitting tall, hands in lap).
5 - 15 Min
Interactive Slide Discussion
Guide students through slides. Practice "Listening Eyes & Ears" and "Quiet Hand Raises." Students remain seated throughout.
15 - 25 Min
Seated Kindness Keepers Activity
Distribute worksheets and clipboards directly to seated students. Students complete coloring and matching without moving spots.
25 - 30 Min
Quiet Neighbor Reflection
Engage in the "Quiet Neighbor Smile" challenge. Students look to their left/right to smile and give a quiet hand wave from their spot.
Facilitator Magic Prompts
If students speak out of turn: "Oh, wait! It is our friend's turn to speak. Let's keep our hands cozy in our laps and grow our giant rabbit ears!"
Quick Checklist:
Clipboards distributed
Crayons distributed
Unit: Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Page 1 of 1
Respect Circle Slides
✨
🤝
Let's Learn Together! Social-Emotional Lesson
Welcome to the
Respect Circle!
What is Respect?
"Respect means treating others with kindness and listening to their words."
Find your cozy rug spot and sit tall!
Slide 1 of 5
Practice Time
Slide 2 of 5
How do we
Listen with respect?
Active listening shows our friends that we care about their big thoughts and feelings!
👀
Looking Eyes
I look at the speaker.
👂
Listening Ears
I hear what they are saying.
🤫
Quiet Mouth & Body
I wait nicely for my turn.
Teacher Prompt: "Show me your looking eyes and your giant rabbit listening ears!"
Speaking Respectfully
Slide 3 of 5
How do we
Take Turns?
We raise a quiet hand when we want to share! While a classmate is speaking, we stay completely still and give them our full focus.
Classmate Shares:
Keep hands cozy in lap and listen.
My Turn:
Speak clearly after being called on.
🙋♀️
Quiet Hand Raise
Keep your body perfectly still and raise one quiet hand to speak!
Rule: We wait patiently with hands cozy in our laps. Activity Game next!
Magic Words
Slide 4 of 5
Let's Practice Our Magic Words!
Kind words are like magical seeds that grow big smiles on our friends' faces!
⭐
Please
When asking nicely
💝
Thank You
When receiving
🚪
Excuse Me
When stepping past
🙋♀️
May I?
When sharing toys
Let's chant together: "Kind words go a long way, to help us have a happy day!"
Circle Challenge
Slide 5 of 5
🌟
The Quiet Neighbor Smile!
Let's practice taking turns with no moving and no talking!
Look at the friends sitting directly to your left and right, and:
Give them a giant smile & a silent hand wave! 👋😊
Next: Kindness Keepers Worksheet!
Stay seated and prepare to color!
Kindness Keepers Worksheet
✏️ Name:
Date:
🌟 Kindness Keepers! 🌟
Let's practice showing respect with our ears, eyes, and kind words!
1 Part 1: Match the Action!
Draw a line with your pencil to match each picture box on the left to the correct choice on the right!
👩🏫
Teacher is speaking to the class.
🧸
It is my turn to hold the Speaking Toy!
👂 Listen Gently
🗣️ Speak Kindly
2 Part 2: Color the Magic Balloons!
Color only the balloons that contain polite "Magic Respectful Words" to help them float up!
PLEASE
THANK
YOU
EXCUSE
ME
MAY
I?
🦊
Felix the Friendly Fox says:
"You are officially a Kindness Keeper! Share a big smile with someone near you today."
Kindergarten SEL Series • Respect Circle Page 1 of 1