Kinder Kindness Teacher Guide Kindergarten SEL Guide
Kinder Kindness
Focus: Expressing appreciation to family, neighbors, and peers
Gratitude
Estimated: 45-60 Mins
Core SEL Goal (Relationship Skills)
Students will learn to recognize acts of kindness from others and practice expressing heartfelt verbal and visual thanks to family, peers, and school helpers.
Recommended Read-Aloud Books & Prompts
1. Gratitude is My Superpower by Alicia Ortego
Family Focus
Betsy learns that simple gratitude makes her feel warm inside and spreads joy to her family.
ThemeFamily & Daily Love
Key Questions to Ask: What was Betsy's superpower? Who can we thank in our house today?
2. Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
Community Focus
Omu shares her delicious thick red stew with neighbors, who return to say thank you with a feast.
ThemeSharing & Helpers
Key Questions to Ask: How did neighbors show Omu they were thankful? Why is it nice to share?
3. The Thankful Book by Todd Parr
Everyday Focus
A colorful, friendly celebration of everyday blessings, like reading books and warm bathtubs.
ThemeJoy & Small Things
Key Questions to Ask: Why is the narrator thankful for feet? What small thing makes you happy?
Classroom Lesson Flow
1. Warm-Up (5m): Pass a "heart item" in a circle. Each student shares one helper they like.2. Interactive Read-Aloud (20m): Read a book. Ask kids to make hand-hearts when someone says thanks.3. Demonstration (5m): Show how to draw a family member, helper, or item in the worksheet circles.4. Activity (20m): Distribute worksheets. Assist with writing words or names under their drawings.
Tip: Pre-write helper words on the whiteboard (like Mom, Dad, Teacher, Friend).
Module 1 of 6 • Appreciation Ambassadors
Kinder Kindness Student Worksheet Name:
Date:
Kindergarten
My Kinder Kindness Map 💖
Let's practice our gratitude superpower! Draw a picture in each card to show who and what you are thankful for today.
Superpower
My Super Family
Draw a family member who helps you feel loved and happy.
They help me by:
Bowl of Thanks
My School Helpers
Draw a teacher, librarian, or friend who shared something nice.
Their name is:
Everyday Joy
My Little Wonders
Draw an everyday favorite thing (like reading, bathing, or toys!).
This makes me smile:
How did saying "thank you" make you feel?
😊 💖 🌟
Let's Share Our Gratitude!
Kinder Kindness Exit Ticket Teacher Copy A
My Kindness Exit Ticket 💖
Kinder Kindness • Lesson 1
Name:
1. Draw a heart around the person you want to thank today:
🏠 Family
🏫 Teacher
🍎 Helper
🎨 Friend
2. Color how saying "thank you" makes you feel:
😊 💖 🌟
Cut Here to Share
Teacher Copy B
My Kindness Exit Ticket 💖
Kinder Kindness • Lesson 1
Name:
1. Draw a heart around the person you want to thank today:
🏠 Family
🏫 Teacher
🍎 Helper
🎨 Friend
2. Color how saying "thank you" makes you feel:
😊 💖 🌟
First Grade Thanks Teacher Guide Grade 1 SEL Guide
First Grade Thanks
Focus: School helpers, grandparents, and local caregivers
Growth
Estimated: 45-60 Mins
Core SEL Goal (Relationship Skills)
Students will practice identifying and honoring everyday school and neighborhood helpers, as well as family elders who cultivate beauty in their routines.
Recommended Read-Aloud Books & Prompts
1. Splat the Cat: Thank You, School Librarian by R. Scotton
School Helpers
Splat wants to thank the librarian, Mrs. Wimpydimple, for introducing him to his favorite book heroes.
ThemeSchool Community
Key Questions to Ask: Why are school librarians so important? How can we thank our school staff?
2. The Last Stop on Market Street by M. de la Peña
Neighborhood Focus
CJ and his Nana take a bus ride, where Nana helps CJ find the beauty, joy, and helpers in their city.
ThemeElders & Neighborhoods
Key Questions to Ask: How did Nana help CJ look at the city differently? What makes a neighbor special?
3. Ten Beautiful Things by Molly Griffin
Family/Caregivers
Lily is moving to Iowa with Gram and works hard to notice ten beautiful things along their long drive.
ThemeNoticing Joy & Change
Key Questions to Ask: How did Gram support Lily on their drive? What was your favorite "beautiful thing" Lily saw?
Classroom Lesson Flow
1. Warm-Up (5m): "Sprout a Seed" - students stand huddled, and as they name a helper, they "sprout" and stand up tall!2. Read-Aloud & Noticing (20m): Prompt students to listen for community helpers in the selected book.3. Interactive Demonstration (5m): Show how we "grow gratitude" like a flower garden on our worksheet.4. Creative Activity (20m): Distribute worksheets. Have students draw a helper flower, a neighbor sprout, and a family elder sun. Help them write names or single-word descriptions on the stems.
Tip: Bring in a small plant to show students how gratitude grows larger with daily sunshine (kindness).
Module 2 of 6 • Appreciation Ambassadors
First Grade Thanks Student Worksheet Name:
Date:
1st Grade
My Gratitude Garden 🌱
Let's grow appreciation! Read our 3 books, then draw and write in each space to thank the people who help us bloom every single day.
Book 1: Splat
School Helper
Draw a school helper (like a librarian or teacher) who helps you.
Thank you for:
Book 2: Market St.
My Neighborhood
Draw someone in your community (like a bus driver or neighbor) who makes you smile.
Thank you for:
Book 3: Ten Things
Gram & Caregivers
Draw a family elder or caregiver who cares for you and makes your day beautiful.
Thank you for:
How did sharing these thanks make you feel today?
😊 🌻 🤗
Let's Watch Our Gratitude Grow!
First Grade Thanks Exit Ticket Teacher Copy A
My Sprout of Thanks 🌱
First Grade Thanks • Lesson 2
Name:
1. Circle the helper you will thank today:
🏫 Teacher
📚 Librarian
🚌 Driver
👵 Elder
2. Draw a helper or elder who keeps you safe:
Cut Here to Share
Teacher Copy B
My Sprout of Thanks 🌱
First Grade Thanks • Lesson 2
Name:
1. Circle the helper you will thank today:
🏫 Teacher
📚 Librarian
🚌 Driver
👵 Elder
2. Draw a helper or elder who keeps you safe:
Second Grade Appreciation Teacher Guide Grade 2 SEL Guide
Second Grade Appreciation
Focus: Peer inclusion, small gifts, and family sacrifice
Inclusion
Estimated: 45-60 Mins
Core SEL Goal (Relationship Skills)
Students will learn to look beyond their own desires to notice peer feelings, family sacrifices, and the thought behind kind gestures from others.
Recommended Read-Aloud Books & Prompts
1. Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
Family & Peer Focus
Jeremy wants the latest cool shoes but realizes his grandmother's love and peer kindness are far more valuable.
ThemeLove over Wants
Key Questions to Ask: Why did Jeremy's grandmother work so hard for him? What choice did Jeremy make with his shoes?
2. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Classmate Inclusion
Brian feels ignored until a new student arrives, and a small shared drawing changes everything.
ThemeNoticing & Peer Inclusion
Key Questions to Ask: What makes Brian feel "invisible"? How did Justin show appreciation for Brian's talents?
3. Thank You, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony
Thought behind Gifts
Mr. Panda passes out funny, ill-fitting gifts, teaching animals that "it's the thought that counts."
ThemeIntentions & Politeness
Key Questions to Ask: Why did the other animals get frustrated? What does "it's the thought that counts" mean?
Classroom Lesson Flow
1. Warm-Up (5m): "Passed with Care" - pass an empty, beautifully wrapped gift box in a circle. Students practice saying "Thank you for thinking of me" as they take it.2. Interactive Reading (20m): Highlight the feelings of characters who are ignored (Brian) or whose gifts are unappreciated.3. Interactive Demonstration (5m): Show how to write sincere reasons for thanking family, classmates, and friends on the cups of kindness.4. Reflection Activity (20m): Distribute worksheets. Assist students in spelling and detailing how they show appreciation to peers and caregivers.
Tip: Emphasize that handwriting can be printed simply. Draw a "thought cloud" on the board to illustrate intention.
Module 3 of 6 • Appreciation Ambassadors
Second Grade Appreciation Student Worksheet Name:
Date:
2nd Grade
Warm Cups of Kindness ☕✨
Saying thank you warms other people like a cozy cup of cocoa! Fill each mug with drawings and words of appreciation for your family, classmates, and friends.
Book 1: Shoes
Family Sacrifice
What did a caregiver do or give up for you? Draw and write why you thank them.
Book 2: Invisible
Peer Appreciation
Think of a peer who is quiet or kind. Draw them and write a warm note of thanks to them.
Book 3: Panda
The Kind Intention
Draw and write about a time someone tried to help or give a gift. Why did their thought matter?
Whose heart did you warm with appreciation today?
😊 💖 🍪
Panda Says: Thank You!
Second Grade Appreciation Exit Ticket Teacher Copy A
My Cocoa Thought ☕
Second Grade Appreciation • Lesson 3
Name:
1. Name a classmate who was inclusive or kind this week:
2. What did they do?
Draw a marshmallow in the mug with their initial!
☕
Cut Here to Share
Teacher Copy B
My Cocoa Thought ☕
Second Grade Appreciation • Lesson 3
Name:
1. Name a classmate who was inclusive or kind this week:
2. What did they do?
Draw a marshmallow in the mug with their initial!
☕
Third Grade Gratitude Teacher Guide Grade 3 SEL Guide
Third Grade Gratitude
Focus: Peer ripples, warm friendships, and appreciation of differences
Ripples
Estimated: 45-60 Mins
Core SEL Goal (Relationship Skills)
Students will understand that their expressions of appreciation are like pebbles dropped in water—creating positive "ripple effects" that strengthen friendships, value identity, and build community.
Recommended Read-Aloud Books & Prompts
1. An Awesome Book of Thanks! by Dallas Clayton
Worldly Joy
A whimsical celebration of gratitude that ranges from massive mysteries in the sky to simple small details of our lives.
ThemeWonder & Nature
Key Questions to Ask: Why did the author thank the "ordinary" and the "extraordinary"? What is a massive wonder you love?
2. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
Peer Opportunity
Chloe regrets rejecting the friendship of a new girl named Maya, realizing that every kindness leaves a lasting ripple.
ThemePeer Kindness & Regret
Key Questions to Ask: What did Ms. Albert teach the class with the bowl of water? How can we make sure we drop kind ripples?
3. The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh by S. Kelkar
Identity & Peer Care
Harpreet expresses his feelings through the colors of his patka, finding appreciation for friendship when a classmate reaches out.
ThemeDiversity & Belonging
Key Questions to Ask: How did the color white represent Harpreet's feelings? How did showing care help him feel valued?
Classroom Lesson Flow
1. Warm-Up (5m): "Ripple Chain" - pass a gentle squeeze down a line of standing students to feel a quick physical ripple.2. Critical Read-Aloud (20m): Focus on *Each Kindness*. If possible, drop a real pebble in a cup of water to demonstrate visual waves.3. Demonstration (5m): Explain how students will fill out the 3 rings of their "Gratitude Ripples" worksheet.4. Interactive Work (20m): Hand out sheets. Guide students through connecting personal peer actions to wider community benefits.
Tip: Encourage 3rd graders to use transition words like "Because..." or "This means that..." in their written responses.
Module 4 of 6 • Appreciation Ambassadors
Third Grade Gratitude Student Worksheet Name:
Date:
3rd Grade
My Gratitude Ripples 🌊💙
Every thank-you we share is like a pebble dropped in water—it makes waves of happiness that travel far and wide. Complete the three rings of gratitude below!
Book 1: Each Kindness
Kindness Ripples
What is one kind act you can do for a peer? Write it, and draw the happy ripple it creates.
Book 2: Harpreet
Value Differences
Write a short note appreciating a classmate's unique talents or background. What makes them unique?
Book 3: Awesome
Worldly Wonders
What massive wonder in our world or nature makes you say thank you? Draw it and write why.
How did creating these positive ripples change your classroom today?
😊 🌊 🤝
Making a Splash of Gratitude!
Third Grade Gratitude Exit Ticket Teacher Copy A
My Kindness Ripple 🌊
Third Grade Gratitude • Lesson 4
Name:
1. What small act of kindness did you show a classmate today?
2. What happy ripple did this create in our room?
Draw a quick sketch of the ripple in action:
🌊
Cut Here to Share
Teacher Copy B
My Kindness Ripple 🌊
Third Grade Gratitude • Lesson 4
Name:
1. What small act of kindness did you show a classmate today?
2. What happy ripple did this create in our room?
Draw a quick sketch of the ripple in action:
🌊
Fourth Grade Connection Teacher Guide Grade 4 SEL Guide
Fourth Grade Connection
Focus: Community rebuilding, seasonal Cherokee traditions, and coaching support
Honor
Estimated: 45-60 Mins
Core SEL Goal (Relationship Skills)
Students will map out systems of support across family members, cultural ancestors, and school coaches/mentors, formulating mature, specific gratitude declarations.
Recommended Read-Aloud Books & Prompts
1. A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
Family & Neighbors
After a devastating house fire, family members and neighbors rally to donate furniture and fill a jar with coins for a beautiful new chair.
ThemeMutual Rebuilding
Key Questions to Ask: How did neighbors support the family during their hardest times? What are ways we can show mutual support?
2. We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
Seasonal Traditions
This story details the Cherokee custom of expressing thankfulness (Otsaliheliga) for community struggles and joys through all four seasons.
ThemeCherokee Customs
Key Questions to Ask: What does Otsaliheliga teach us about being thankful even in winter or hard times? How do seasons prompt gratitude?
3. The William Hoy Story by Nancy Churnin
Mentors & Teammates
William Hoy, a deaf baseball player, works with coaches, teammates, and umpires who create hand signals so everyone can play together.
ThemeSupportive Mentorship
Key Questions to Ask: How did William's teammates adapt to support his success? Who is a coach or leader who helped you grow?
Classroom Lesson Flow
1. Warm-Up (5m): "Community Shield" introduction. Ask students: "Who are the champions in your community who stand by you?"2. Collaborative Reading (20m): Discuss the historical, cultural, and personal connections in the books.3. Worksheet Guidance (5m): Introduce the "Community Shield Worksheet." Show how each quadrant represents a separate champion in their life.4. Focused Writing (20m): Guide students through writing clear, descriptive appreciation declarations on their shields.
Tip: For 4th graders, encourage specific action verbs (e.g., "encouraged," "sheltered," "collaborated") over simple praise.
Module 5 of 6 • Appreciation Ambassadors
Fourth Grade Connection Student Worksheet Name:
Date:
4th Grade
My Community Shield of Thanks 🛡️🍂
A strong shield is built from the connections that support us. Reflect on our three read-aloud books and draft your customized gratitude defense blocks below!
Book 1: Mother's Chair
Family & Resilience
Write about your family. How do you support each other in tough times? Sincerely thank one caregiver.
Book 2: Cherokee Thanks
Seasonal Community
Choose a season. Write down a community helper, helper system, or environment element you appreciate.
Book 3: William Hoy
Supportive Teammates
Identify a coach, teacher, or friend who accommodates you. Write down how they help you belong.
How will you stand as a champion for others today?
🛡️ 🍁 💪
Otsaliheliga: We Are Grateful!
Fourth Grade Connection Exit Ticket Teacher Copy A
My Shield Connection 🛡️
Fourth Grade Connection • Lesson 5
Name:
1. Thank a family member for support:
2. Thank a coach, teacher, or helper:
Cut Here to Share
Teacher Copy B
My Shield Connection 🛡️
Fourth Grade Connection • Lesson 5
Name:
1. Thank a family member for support:
2. Thank a coach, teacher, or helper:
Fifth Grade Legacy Teacher Guide Grade 5 SEL Guide
Fifth Grade Legacy
Focus: Mentorship, deep connection to nature, and teacher/peer bonds
Legacy
Estimated: 45-60 Mins
Core SEL Goal (Relationship Skills)
Students will critically analyze the foundations of their personal strength (roots) and trace how mentorship, family trust, and classmate networks shape their long-term growth.
Recommended Read-Aloud Books & Prompts
1. The Tree in Me by Corinna Luyken
Deep Connection
A beautifully poetic meditation on the roots of our strength, showing how nature and personal connections help us stand tall.
ThemeStrength & Friendship
Key Questions to Ask: Who are the "roots" that help you grow tall and strong? How can we thank them?
2. Thank You, Ma'am by Langston Hughes
Trust & Mentorship
When young Roger attempts to steal her purse, Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones responds with unexpected trust, care, and a warm meal.
ThemeGrace & Deep Lessons
Key Questions to Ask: Why was Mrs. Jones's grace so shocking to Roger? How did that act change Roger's perspective forever?
3. The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco
Educator Impact
Genius teacher Mrs. Peterson inspires her special education class, the "Junkyard Wonders," to see the genius and beauty in each other.
ThemeGenius & Peer Pride
Key Questions to Ask: How did Mrs. Peterson help her students find their inner value? Why do peer bonds matter?
Classroom Lesson Flow
1. Warm-Up (5m): "Foundational Roots." Students write the name of one mentor or family member who serves as their "grounding root" on a scrap piece of paper.2. Deep Read-Aloud (20m): Read Langston Hughes' *Thank You, Ma'am* or *The Junkyard Wonders*. Emphasize trust.3. Demonstration (5m): Walk through the three pillars of the "Appreciation Blueprint Worksheet."4. Focused Execution (20m): Give students worksheets. Encourage deep, mature written structures and metaphors.
Tip: Challenge 5th graders to write in full paragraph format, emphasizing details of how someone changed their mindset.
Module 6 of 6 • Appreciation Ambassadors
Fifth Grade Legacy Student Worksheet Name:
Date:
5th Grade
My Blueprint of Appreciation 📐🏛️
Our characters and strength are built on foundations of trust and support. Complete this legacy blueprint by mapping out deep gratitude for the pillars in your life.
Book 1: Tree in Me
The Root System
Who (caregiver or friend) serves as your foundational support, keeping you strong? Detail their lasting impact.
Book 2: Thank You, Ma'am
Scaffold of Grace
Reflect on a time someone (mentor or parent) showed you unexpected trust. How did they help rewrite your path?
Book 3: Junkyard
Vault of Wonders
Identify a teacher or peer who helped you see your inner 'genius' when you doubted yourself. Draft a message of thanks.
What lasting mark of gratitude will you leave on our community?
🎓 🏛️ 💫
Design Your Legacy of Thanks!
Fifth Grade Legacy Exit Ticket Teacher Copy A
My Legacy Pillar 🏛️
Fifth Grade Legacy • Lesson 6
Name:
1. Who is one mentor, elder, or teacher who believed in you?
Their Name & Role:
2. Draft a quick 2-sentence foundation thank-you note to them:
Cut Here to Share
Teacher Copy B
My Legacy Pillar 🏛️
Fifth Grade Legacy • Lesson 6
Name:
1. Who is one mentor, elder, or teacher who believed in you?
Their Name & Role:
2. Draft a quick 2-sentence foundation thank-you note to them:
