kindergarten unit introduction · why you didn’t do your work. remember: your words have power!...

Kindergarten Unit Introduction

Sub-Concepts Covered: Perseverance, Kindness

Kindness in the Classroom lessons teach kindness skills through a step-by step framework of Inspire, Empower, Act, Reflect and Share. Each lesson starts with the ‘share’ step to reinforce learning from previous lessons. The ‘act’ piece is woven into the lessons but really takes place in the projects. This unit is the fourth of our six unit series.. This can be a very difficult concept for young children, so it is introduced very gently. We will also explore strategies on how to make honest choices and persevere through difficult times. This unit falls on the heels of respect, caring, and inclusiveness, so the students have an excellent foundation from which to build on. Exploring honesty and perseverance naturally promotes an additional level of kindness within your classroom.

Unit Objective Students will:

● Review respect, caring, inclusiveness, and kindness. ● Define honesty and perseverance. ● Practice using kindness and respect to develop honest actions in difficult situations. ● Work as a team to persevere.

Student Introduction We’ve made it to the Integrity Unit! This is an advanced word that connects back to honesty and always telling the truth, even when others aren’t around. We will also use honesty and perseverance to try our hardest, even when something seems too tough and we would rather give up! Let’s explore how honesty and perseverance can help us add even more kindness to our classroom!

© The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. All Rights Reserved. www.randomactsofkindness.org

Unit Lessons Lesson Title Lesson Objectives Materials Required Lesson 1 Honesty is the Best Policy

● Utilize caring and kindness to develop honest alternatives to deceptive actions.

● Practice showing honesty in social situations.

❏ David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon ❏ Honesty in Action cards (see Lesson)

Lesson 2 Our Honesty Handbook

● Create an honesty handbook illustrating different ways to be honest in difficult situations.

● Practice being honest, even when they are tempted to lie.

❏ Cardstock or printer paper with the sentence starter, “I am honest at ______ when I …”

❏ Basic Art Supplies ❏ Magazines ❏ Scissors ❏ Glue

Lesson 3 Practice Makes Perfect!

● Demonstrate perseverance through a math exercise.

● Explain how being honest helps others trust you.

❏ Math related materials (will vary depending on the centers you create)

❏ The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

❏ Index Cards with Perseverance written on them

❏ Stickers

Lesson 4 Every Job Counts!

● Explain how each person’s helpfulness contributes to the efficient classroom.

● Demonstrate integrity through the completion of their daily/weekly assigned job.

❏ Blank Paper ❏ Basic art supplies

Unit Projects Project Title Project Overview Materials Required Project 1 Honesty Song

Students will learn a song about honesty to emphasize kind behaviors that tie into using honesty in our classroom.

❏ Poster board ❏ art supplies ❏ paper ❏ Melody of ‘yankee doodle’ (optional)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zBZkCQqIJg

Project 2 Perseverance in Plants

Fostering this connection with young children can really help to deepen their understanding around this abstract concept. This project allows you to explore the concept of plant growth while focusing on being honest and responsible about caring for other living things.

❏ Seeds ❏ Potting Soil ❏ Small plastic cups ❏ masking tape ❏ sharpie marker




Integrity Kindergarten • Lesson 1

Honesty is the Best Policy! This is the first lesson of the Integrity unit. At this age, the concept of integrity can be difficult to understand. As such, the focus will be on learning about honesty and perseverance. This lesson will focus on identifying honesty and dishonesty and practicing honesty across all situations. Honesty helps us move forward, while dishonesty holds us back. Integrity Sub-Concept(s) Kindness Lesson Timeframe 45 minutes Required Materials ❏ Honesty in action cards ❏ David Gets in Trouble

by David Shannon Standards Map This lesson aligns with CASEL Competencies, National Health Education Standards, and Common Core State Standards. Please refer to the Standards Map for more information.

Lesson Objective Students will be able to:

● Utilize caring and kindness to develop honest alternatives to deceptive actions.

● Practice showing honesty in social situations.

Teacher Connection/Self-Care Integrity is defined as acting in a way you know to be right and kind in all situations. As teachers, we are held to a level of integrity that is unprecedented in any other profession. Not only are our reputations built on our level of professional integrity with what we teach and how we teach it, but we are a physical example of integrity for dozens of students every school year. What promises do you make for your students each year? How do you infuse integrity into how you teach, how you plan, and how you follow through? The teacher connections this unit will focus on simple, yet effective ways to embody integrity from the top down. This week our promise is an overarching promise we all start with at the beginning of the year, but can losefocus on during this time! Promise #1 is, “I, _________(insert name) will focus on my students.” Let’s be honest. No one chooses teaching for the summer vacation. You are here because of the students. As this semester comes to an end and grades, parent teacher conferences, and staff meetings begin to cloud your vision, take a step back and remind yourself of the first and most important goal you have: your students. How can you start and end each day with this simple statement?

Tips for Diverse Learners

● Draw simple pictures on the board to illustrate each scenario. ● Use your interactive whiteboard to illustrate each

honest/dishonest sentence as you read it aloud. ● Model how to play the game using the first several sentences

as a model

© The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. All Rights Reserved. www.randomactsofkindness.org Page 1

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/lesson-plans/K_Integrity_Unit_Standards_Map.pdf

Share

5-10 minutes We are halfway through the school year and have learned lots of ways to show kindness to ourselves, to others, and to our space! Let’s review some ways we have used kindness in our classroom so far.

● Self-Care: How have we taken care of ourselves? (getting ready, brushing teeth/hair, cleaning up after self, etc.)

● Gratitude: How have we shown gratitude towards others that have treated us with kindness?

● Inclusiveness: How have others in our class helped you to feel included this year?

All of these actions require us to be honest about how we treat others and how they affect us.

Inspire

What is Honesty? 5 minutes Explain that honesty means being truthful in our words and actions. Telling the truth can be hard sometimes. Telling stories can be fun and it might be tempting to make stories up when others ask you questions about a fight or why you didn’t do your work. Remember: your words have power! Every time you tell the truth, you earn a little bit of trust from others. When people trust us, they can rely on us in both little situations and big situations alike. If you get into the habit of always telling the truth with little things, you will find it easier to tell the truth when bigger topics come up! Honesty is the best policy. Here are some important examples of what honesty looks like (all pictures are provided below):

● Show a picture of two friends: Honesty means you only say things about people that are true. Telling lies about others or talking unkindly hurts their feelings. It also takes away the trust others have inus and they might not want to spend time with us.

● Show a picture of a child with a broken plate: Honesty means your actions are truthful. Have you ever broken something and tried to hide it so you wouldn’t get in trouble? That was not honest. We must always be honest, even when our actions were not positive. It is important to face the consequences. If not, we will get in double trouble: one for the lie and two for the action (like that broken plate!).

● Show a picture of a child telling a story: Honesty means you don’t make up stories and say they are the truth. Telling stories can be very fun, but not when we use our made up stories in place of the truth. When you lie and tell a pretend story to explain what happened, you are not being honest. Remember, honesty is always the best policy!


Empower 20 minutes We are going to read (or listen to) a story about a boy who makes excuses and tells lies to try and cover up his bad behavior. It’s called David Gets in Trouble. We are going to do an “interactive read aloud” of this story which means we are going to pause throughout the story so we can talk about how David’s choices are either showing honesty or dishonesty. David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCcMYqbqjoM Pause at 0:43: “I didn’t mean to!” Have you ever said this to your parents or teacher? What did David do wrong? Why did he break the vase? How could he use honesty to make things better? Pause at 0:54: “It was an accident!” Have you ever broken something? What did David do wrong? Why did the window break? What honest words could he use to make things better? Pause at 1:28: “My dog ate my homework!” Did the dog really eat his homework? Why did David tell this lie? Have you ever told a lie to cover up your choices? How can David use honesty to fix his lie? Pause at 1:54: “But she likes it!” Do you really think the cat likes having her tail pulled? What could David say that uses honesty to explain his choices? Pause at 2:31: “No, it wasn’t me!” Is David being honest here? What did he really do? Why is he lying? How can he use honesty to make things better? After the end of the story: Did David make the right choice at the end of the book? How did he make things better? What else can we do when we find ourselves being dishonest? (Stop right away, ask if we can fix what we broke, accept consequences, etc.)

Reflect

5-10 minutes Honesty is the best policy! When we tell the truth the first time every time, people know that they can count on us! Our friends, our family, and our teachers need to be able to trust us. When we are honest in our words and actions, others know we are trustworthy. Sometimes being honest can be very difficult, especially when you know you did something wrong and it is time to speak up. Just remember: it is always best to be honest.

Extension Ideas

● As a class, create a book that illustrates ways to show honesty in

class. Challenge your class to identify difficult situations that might lead to lying: breaking something, forgetting something, etc.


http://www.readingrockets.org/article/repeated-interactive-read-alouds-preschool-and-kindergarten

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCcMYqbqjoM

A child hiding a broken plate behind her back.


A child standing next to a friend smiling.


A child talking with a thought bubble showing a picture of a dog eating her homework.



Our Honesty Handbook This is the second lesson of the Integrity unit. At this age, the concept of integrity can be difficult to understand. As such, the focus will be on learning about honesty and perseverance. This lesson will allow students to highlight honest behavior in a variety of situations throughout the school. The handbook will also be presented to an upper class in an effort to inspire honest behavior throughout the school! Integrity Sub-Concept(s) Perseverance, Kindness Lesson Timeframe 45 minutes Required Materials ❏ Cardstock or printer paper with the

sentence starter, “I am honest at ______ when I …”

❏ Basic Art Supplies ❏ Magazines ❏ Scissors ❏ Glue Standards Map This lesson aligns with CASEL Competencies, National Health Education Standards, and Common Core State Standards. Please refer to the Standards Map for more information.

Lesson Objective Students will:

● Create a honesty handbook illustrating different ways to be honest in difficult situations.

● Practice being honest, even when they are tempted to lie.

Teacher Connection/Self-Care As we continue to move through our unit on integrity, let us take some time to focus our attention on the parents our students have. This week’s promise reminds us to look at parents in a slightly different light. Promise #2 is, “I will remember that parents are doing the best the can and are parenting the only way they know how.” As teachers, we receive children from every possible background, socioeconomic status, and level of preparedness. It is easy to place blame or judgement when a child’s home life appears substandard according to our own personal measures. However, we have a duty to make a positive assumption that parents are doing the best they can. We must respect where they are coming from and use the common ground of education as a bridge to meet them halfway during this joint journey of learning we are on during this school year. Worrying about what you cannot change is unproductive. Show up, be present, and follow through on your words.

Tips for Diverse Learners ● Allow students to cut out magazine clippings to illustrate their

honesty handbook page instead of drawing it out ● Encourage strong writers to add words to their page



.

Share 5-7 minutes Play telephone. Have a volunteer tell the teacher one true sentence about themselves. (Example- “I am in kindergarten” or I have a brother”. THe teacher will write down the sentence before playing the game.

● Have your class sit in a large circle on the floor (or in chairs if space is limited)

● Starting with the teacher, whisper the sentence into the person’s ear sitting on your right hand side.

● Continue until the sentence has been passed all the way around the circle.

● At the end, have the last person say the sentence they heard aloud to the group.

It is important to always be honest in your words and actions. If you here something that doesn’t sound right or doesn’t make sense, ask questions.

Inspire 20 minutes Last week we talked about lying and how honesty is the best policy. This week we will work on being honest all the time. Part of being a kind friend is helping others to be honest in all situations! Let’s review what it means to be honest! Invite student responses. Yes, being honest means always telling the truth, no matter what! This is not always easy, but it is the kind choice to make, even when we are scared that we might get in trouble. How do our words show honesty? How do our actions show honesty? Why is important to always be honest and tell the truth? Invite student responses. These are great answers! Remember, Honesty is the Best Policy!

Empower 5-7 minutes Explain that the class will work together to create an Honesty Handbook to help others in the school remember that “Honesty is the Best Policy” no matter what. Step 1: As a class, brainstorm ways to be honest throughout the school day.

● How can we be honest when we first get to school? ● How can we be honest during our snack time? ● How can we be honest during recess?


● How can we be honest when we are packing up at the end of the day?

Write and/or draw simple answers on the board as students provide answers. Step 2: Provide each student with a piece of cardstock (or regular paper if needed). As you pass out the paper, read the sentence starter aloud: “I show honesty at ________ when I _______.” Encourage each student to fill in a place within the school in the first blank and to use the rest of the page to complete the sentence. Example: “I show honesty at recess when I turn in all of the balls before we go back in.” Step 3: Circulate around the room and assist students that may be struggling with their page. After all the students are finished, have them turn in their pages.

Reflect 5-7 minutes Create a cover and back page for your handbook and staple the entire book together. Read the completed handbook aloud to the class by inviting each student to come up and read their page to the rest of the class.

Extension Ideas

● Create copies of the handbook to send home, so parents can start the conversation of what honest choices at home might look like as well.

● Present your handbook to a 5th grade class to encourage them to use honesty throughout their school day as well!



Practice Makes Perfect! This is the third lesson of the Integrity unit. At this age, the concept of integrity can be difficult to understand. As such, the focus will be on learning about honesty and perseverance. We lay the foundation for integrity by discussing how we build positive reputations through kind, caring, fair, inclusive, and honest behaviors and actions. This lesson will give students an opportunity to practice perseverance through a variety of fun but challenging math center activities. Integrity Sub-Concept(s) Perseverance, Kindness Lesson Timeframe 45 minutes Required Materials ❏ Math related materials (will vary

depending on the centers you create)

❏ The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

❏ Index Cards with Perseverance written on them

❏ Stickers Standards Map This lesson aligns with CASEL Competencies, National Health Education Standards, and Common Core State Standards. Please refer to the Standards Map for more information.

Lesson Objective Students will:

● Demonstrate perseverance through a math exercise. ● Explain how being honest helps others trust you.

Teacher Connection/Self-Care The next promise focuses on how to continue the topic of integrity throughout your day, every day. Promise #3 is, “I promise to teach from bell to bell.” While 5 minutes here and there to grade, lesson plan, or update the newsletter doesn’t seem like a lot, it adds up. You only have these students for a limited time each day, and every day is not guaranteed. Illness, vacations, transitions, and life struggles all take time away from your time with that student. Five extra minutes daily during guided reading could be just enough to get that struggling reader over the hurdle! Five minutes every day for a week adds up to one more math lesson you could have included, an impromptu field trip outdoors for an alphabet focused nature walk, or even some much needed read aloud time. Every child counts; every minute counts. Use your time wiselyto create stronger connections with them.


● Pair students up so they can help each other at each relay location.

● Color code teams based on ability and provide color coded review activities at each location to differentiate based on learning needs. (Example: Red team completes the activity in the red folder, etc.)



Share

5-10 minutes Play Honesty Red Light, Green Light Directions: Have everyone line up on one side of the room. Turn your back to them. Explain that every time you turn around you will call out a truth or a lie. If you call out a truth, everyone can take one step forward. If you call out a lie, everyone must freeze. If you move during a lie, you must go back to the beginning. If you take more than one step during the truth, you must go back to the beginning. If you take steps when the teacher’s back is turned, you must go back to the beginning. In this game it pays to be honest! Try to tell more lies in a row to force them to persevere through the game. Here are some ideas for truth and lie statements: I have a hat on. I am the art teacher. We have both boys and girls in this classroom. We are in fifth grade. The sky is green. After everyone makes it across, ask the students how it felt to be on the lookout for honesty. Was it difficult to be honest even when the teacher wasn’tlooking? Was it hard to wait to move forward until another truth finally came out? Good news, you used perseverance to make it to the end!

Inspire What is Perseverance? 7-10 minutes Explain that perseverance is when we keep trying, even when something is difficult. It means we refuse to give up! Have you ever struggled with something new? Maybe when you learned how to read, play soccer, or tie your shoes? All of those skills take practice, because practice makes perfect! Whenever we have to practice something, we are using perseverance. Sometimes new things are extremely hard for us to learn. We might feel like giving up because we will never learn how to do it. When you feel this way, KEEP GOING! You can use perseverance to learn that new skill. Kind words from your friends, help from your parents, or compassion from me as your teacher can all help you keep going. We can all help you to persevere and reach your goals! Read Aloud: The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper 10-12 minutes Link for a read aloud if needed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TPUwrURo6M ● After the story, review how the little engine used perseverance.

o What challenges does it face? o What type of attitude does it have? o Emphasize that the little engine really struggles to make it up

the hill. However, with perseverance it is able to accomplish its


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TPUwrURo6M

goal and bring all the toys and goodies to the good little boys and girls!

Empower

30 minutes Today we will play a review activity to practice perseverance. We have been learning about many math concepts. (Explain that you will break them up into pairs to complete a math circuit.) This is not a race. Every pair will need to go to every center. As a pair you will work together to complete each activity. When you have used perseverance and finished the activity by finding the right answers, add a sticker to your index card (make sure to have a key or answer card located at each center). When you have all 4 stickers on your Perseverance Card, have a seat in the community area/circle time rug. When our entire class has finished, we will celebrate with ____________ (extra 5 minutes of recess, treasure box, personal reward you decide). Step1: Pass out an index card with the word PERSEVERANCE written on the blank side. Have each child write their name on the lined side. (Assist those that are still learning.) Step 2: Divide students up into predetermined pairs (see diverse learners note for more ideas on this). Walk the entire class through each center. Here are some ideas for math review (use your own personalized games/activities for review if possible). Sample handouts are provided below.

● Basic addition with counters: Have a worksheet with 10 math facts youare reviewing.

● Tangrams: Have pictures they must create using geometric shapes and document how many of each shape it took.

● Scale/Weight: Give them items to weigh using the scale. Have them record their answers on a sheet.

● Volume: Have them compare/contrast how much each type of container can hold using water. Have them sort the 3 containers by volume and draw their answers on a blank piece of paper.

● Provide stickers at each center. ● Stagger the pairs so that they do not all start at the same center.

Reflect

5-10 minutes

● Have each pair share which center was the toughest for them. How were they able to use perseverance to finish?

● Did you see any other pairs struggling? Were you able to help them persevere through? If so, how?

Perseverance helps us learn new things. Sometimes we are tempted to lie when we feel we cannot complete a tough assignment. Maybe the homework was confusing or reading seems too hard. Giving up and lying about it will not help us to move forward. When we are honest about our struggle and ask someone for help, we are able to persevere and be successful. We can choose to move forward as we learn new things. Honesty and perseverance will help us!


Extension Ideas

● Use this format for any review time. Any subject review can be

focused around perseverance if you highlight this concept during the activity.

● Take Home Activity: Emphasize perseverance as you send home review materials. You can also send home a letter with options for math review games at home that require little preparation (counting, patterns, shape hunt, etc.) and encourage the families to use perseverance to work together to practice the concepts.


5 +5

5 +7

5 +6

5 +8

5 +9

9 +5

8 +5

6 +5

7 +5

7 +7

6 +6

8 +8


Which Weighs More? Measure each pair and then circle the one that weighs more.

Ruler by andrea zudip aggasi from the Noun Project

or

Pencil by Oliver Rooker from the Noun Project

Glue by John Caserta from the Noun Project

or

Scissors by Jacqueline Fernandes from the Noun Project

Crayon by Edward Boatman from the Noun Project

or


Scissors by Jacqueline Fernandes from the Noun Project

or


Eraser by Terrence Kevin Oleary from the Noun Project

or

Crayon by Edward Boatman from the Noun Project



Every Job Counts! This is the fourth lesson of the Integrity unit. At this age, the concept of integrity can be difficult to understand. As such, the focus will be on learning about honesty and perseverance. This lesson focuses on integrity through helpfulness. Students are a valuable part of the classroom and their helpfulness allows the class to run smoothly, but it is important to emphasize that being a helper requires honesty, perseverance, and finishing what you start. To highlight their value and demonstrate just how helpful they are, this lesson will emphasize the vital importance of class jobs and how they can show integrity through their hard work in our classroom each day. Integrity Sub-Concept(s) Perseverance, Kindness Lesson Timeframe 45 minutes Required Materials ❏ Blank Paper ❏ Basic art supplies Standards Map This lesson aligns with CASEL Competencies, National Health Education Standards, and Common Core State Standards. Please refer to the Standards Map for more information.

Lesson Objective Students will be able to:

● Explain how each person’s helpfulness contributes to the efficient classroom.

● Demonstrate integrity through the completion of their daily/weekly assigned job.

Teacher Connection/Self-Care The final promise within your classroom relates back to our first concept this year- Respect. Promise #4 is, “I promise to show respect to my students at all times.” This may seem obvious. Of course we respect our students! But if we are to be truly honest with ourselves, we can recognize that there will always be some students that are a struggle for us in one way or another. We may have opposite personalities, they may struggle to be in a group setting, there may be behavioral challenges, etc. Regardless of the reason behind it, you must work to ensure that same level of respect for them as for the rest of the class. Take some time with this week’s promise. Examine exactly HOW you show respect to every student. Do your words and actions both inside and outside the classroom convey respect with regards to every student? When discussing difficult matters related to a student, are you able to do so in an honest, yet respectful and compassionate manner? Do you continue to advocate for your students even when the level of respect you are giving is not reciprocated by the student and/or family? Integrity starts with you. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Your kind words and actions make all the difference!


● Assign jobs based on abilities and conversation skills. ● Use picture cards to depict each job and have them available

during this lesson. (The pictures cards can be used during the chant to help give ideas to students.)



Share

3-5 minutes In the last lesson, we worked together through a variety of fun, but challenging math stations! How did you use perseverance to help you and your partner get through each station? Invite student responses. Were there stations where you felt you couldn’t finish what you started? Invite student responses.

Inspire

5-7 minutes Explain that helpfulness is helping others without being asked. This ties into integrity because sometimes we know we need to help, even if we don’t feel like it. This means we may need to persevere through tasks or jobs, even if wedon’t want to. Have the students look around them and identify one way they could show helpfulness right now. (Examples might be: pick up a pencil, wipe off whiteboard, pick up coats, etc.) Use a steady beat (clap) to lead class in a chant to provide structure and reinforce/support their ideas. Have classmates repeat each idea when prompted to do so by the teacher. Example: “We can help in class each day! Together we can find a way! Sally can help, oh yes, it’s true. Tell the class what you can do.” Sally: “I can pick up a pencil!” “Sally can help, oh yes, it’s true. She can…” Class: “Pick up a pencil.” How do we show Helpfulness in our classroom? 7-10 minutes Using your job chart, review each job listed and have students explain HOW that job shows helpfulness and integrity within the classroom. ● How is each job helpful to our class? ● How does each job show that we care for our classroom? ● What is something you can tell yourself that will help you persevere

through a job even if you don’t want to do it?


Empower

15-20 minutes Students will answer the question, “What would happen if I didn’t do my job?” using pictures and dictation. These will be silly pictures showing a lack of integrity and helpfulness in our classroom. Give examples without using a specific job that someone has. (What would happen if I didn’t feed the fish, empty the garbage, etc.) ● Ask this question aloud to each student as you dismiss them to draw

their picture. This will keep the idea fresh in their minds. Give helpful suggestions if they are stuck. (The trash can would overflow. You can draw that!)

● As students finish their pictures, have them dictate the answer to you. Write down exactly what they say below their picture. This can also serve as an oral language sample for the first quarter if necessary.

● When students are finished, have them convene at the carpet/circle time area.

Reflect

5-7 minutes Have students share their pictures and explain what would happen if they didn’t help care for the classroom. After each child, review with the class the proper way to complete that job.

● Emphasize the value and importance of the jobs students do each day and the importance of every person in this class. When one person stops helping or is absent, our class feels it.

● Remind students that they need to be honest about if they are doing their jobs. We will know if, for example, a student says he/she picked up all of the crayons in the art station but really didn’t. The art station would be a big mess for the next person! It is important to finish a job you start or that you said you would do!

Extension Ideas

● Extend the activity by having students pair up and repeat this exercise

by answering the question, “What would happen if ______ was absent?” Focus on how important that person is. Their presence is crucial to our classroom!


Integrity Kindergarten • Project 1

Honesty Song For this project, students will learn a song about honesty to emphasize kind behaviors that tie into using honesty in the classroom. Music is a terrific way to make abstract concepts more concrete. Integrity Sub-Concept(s) Kindness Project Timeframe 25-30 minutes Required Materials ❏ Poster board ❏ art supplies ❏ paper ❏ Melody of ‘yankee doodle’ (optional)


Note: The honesty song below is sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle. As a class, list 3 ways to be honest in the classroom every day. Write the phrases on the board. (Examples include tell the truth, never lie, do not make up stories, etc.) Have each student draw a picture that shows how they can practice honesty in the classroom. Refer to the examples on the board if needed. Learn the following song about Honesty (to the tune of Yankee Doodle): Create a poster with all of the lyrics to display them during your singing. Honest, honest, I will be, I’ll always tell the truth; I’ll speak up, admit I’m wrong, and ask for help from you! Honest, honest, I will be, you can count on me, I’ll do what’s right and be sincere, just you wait and see! (hold up personal pictures at the end) Sing the song seven times on the first day you create it. Remember, research shows you need to hear a new song or jingle this many times to make a solid memory. One way to do this is using different approaches: use silly voices, clap to the beat while singing, hold hands and dance while singing it, etc. If desired, sing your song to the other grades. You can even teach it to them so they can practice being honest as well! Sing the Honesty Song weekly to encourage this behavior in class.




Integrity Kindergarten • Project 2

Perseverance in Plants The topic of integrity does not often lead to a conversation around caring for our environment. However, there is a lot of integrity involved with being a steward of the Earth. It requires an honest assessment about how we are caring for the planet and whether or not we are following through on our conservation commitments year to year. Fostering this connection with young children can really help to deepen their understanding around this abstract concept. This project allows you to explore the concept of plant growth while focusing on being honest and responsible about caring for other living things. Integrity Sub-Concept(s) Perseverance, Kindness Project Timeframe 60 minutes initially, then 5-10 minutes daily for 1-2 weeks. Note: you can use time from both your science and SEL blocks as this project incorporates both. Required Materials ❏ Seeds ❏ Potting Soil ❏ Small plastic cups ❏ masking tape ❏ sharpie marker

If time allows, introduce the needs of a plant through this short rap: https://youtu.be/dUBIQ1fTRzI Have students participate in a music and movement experience to the song, “Standing Like a Tree”: https://youtu.be/ppieUj8NDog After introducing this lesson, discuss how plants grow. Emphasize that plants must be cared for if we expect them to grow and flourish. When we plant a seed, it is our responsibility to care for it by making sure it has water, space, sunshine, air, soil, and love. We cannot lie about how much we water our plants or totally forget to take care of them once they are in the ground. We must persevere and follow through with our caregiving or the plant will die. When we properly care for your plants, they will grow tall and turn into beautiful flowers, yummy fruit, or even delicious vegetables! To practice honesty and perseverance, each person in our class will plant a seed and care for it over the next two weeks before taking it home. You will be completely responsible for the care of your seed. If you forget to water it, it will die. If you put it in a dark location, it cannot get any sunlight for food. Pay special attention and be a kind and caring gardener for your plant. Although it may look like nothing is happening at first, remember that plants must grow under the soil first before they peek out up top. Provide each student with a dixie cup, a scoop of soil, and a packet of either sweet peas or beans. Work one on one with each student to properly plant their seeds and label their cup. Keep the plants in your classroom for two full weeks before sending them home to continue their caring. Use the following graph every day to track your caring.

● Did you water the plant? ● Did you make sure it was near the sunlight? ● Does it have proper air coming in? ● Does the soil feel too damp or too dry? ● Did you share kind words with your plant?

Have each child mark off these tasks daily. Remind them to be honest about their charting! If they forget to do something, remind them they can still


https://youtu.be/dUBIQ1fTRzI

https://youtu.be/ppieUj8NDog

continue growing their plant! Plants can persevere, too! However, students will need to take extra special care to not forget again. Once the plants start growing (day 4 or so) use a ruler to measure their growth after caring for them. Track their growth below the caring checklist. Field Trip Opportunity: This project directly correlates with a trip to the pumpkin patch or farm. You can extend this lesson to include a tour and discuss seeds, planting, and how the farmer must persevere, even during drought, wet seasons, pests, etc!


Kindergarten

Hello Parents and Guardians, Welcome to Unit 4 of our Kindness in the Classroom curriculum. For the next 4-6 weeks we will be learning all about INCLUSIVENESS. Since this is a completely new concept for children this age, we will focus on the following topics: TOPIC QUESTIONS WE’LL BE EXPLORING HOW YOU CAN HELP AT HOME Honesty ● Why is honesty the best policy?

● What happens when we start to tell little lies?

● How do these lies start to build on each other?

Talk with your child about the importance of always telling the truth, even when it is difficult. When we get into the habit of telling lies, adults start to trust us less and less.

Perseverance ● How do we stick with things, even when they are difficult for us?

● How can we use honesty to reach our goals?

● Why is it important to keep trying when something is hard?

● How does cheating hurt us in the long run?

Practice identifying small goals with your child. List the steps it will take for them to reach that goal. Celebrate with them when they succeed! Goal setting is a lifelong skill.

Key activities we’ll be doing:

● Discuss what honest actions look like! ● Create an Honesty Handbook for others! ● Practice perseverance in math games! ● Explore the value of every students’ job in the

classroom! If you have any questions about our Kindness in the Classroom lessons, please feel free to contact me at anytime. We are on this kindness path together! Sincerely,

TRY THIS AT HOME! Be on the lookout for a copy of our Honesty Handbook! Use the handbook to start a conversation on what honest choices look like in your home.


http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

Kindergarten Standards Map

Integrity Unit This Standards Map summarizes each of the standards met by all lessons within this unit. All Kindness in the Classroom® lesson plans have been mapped to the five CASEL Core Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Competencies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health Education Standards (NHES), and the national Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy and Mathematics. Utilization and adoption of these national standards and competencies vary by state. Teachers can use this resource to align their own state standards with each lesson.

Lesson 1: Honesty is the Best Policy! CASEL NHES Common Core

Self-awareness Identifying emotions Self-management Impulse control Self-discipline Social awareness Perspective-taking Respect for others Relationship skills Social engagement Relationship-building Responsible decision-making Identifying problems Analyzing situations Reflecting Ethical Responsibility

Standard 4. Interpersonal communication 4.2.1 -Demonstrate healthy ways to express needs, wants, and feelings. Standard 7. Practicing healthy behaviors 7.2.1- Demonstrate healthy practices and behaviors to maintain or improve personal health.

English Language Arts Standards Reading: Literature Key Ideas and Details: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3 With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. Speaking & Listening Comprehension and Collaboration: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1.A Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1.B Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.3 Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood. Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. Language Conventions of Standard English: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. Vocabulary Acquisition and Use: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on kindergarten reading and content. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.


https://casel.org/core-competencies/

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/sher/standards/index.htm

http://www.corestandards.org/read-the-standards/

http://www.corestandards.org/read-the-standards/

Lesson 2: Our Honesty Handbook

CASEL NHES Common Core

Self-awareness Identifying emotions Self-management Impulse control Self-discipline Social awareness Perspective-taking Respect for others Relationship skills Communication Social engagement Relationship-building Responsible decision-making Analyzing situations Reflecting Ethical Responsibility

Standard 4. Interpersonal communication 4.2.1 -Demonstrate healthy ways to express needs, wants, and feelings. Standard 7. Practicing healthy behaviors 7.2.1- Demonstrate healthy practices and behaviors to maintain or improve personal health.

English Language Arts Standards Writing Text Types and Purposes: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.2 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic. Research to Build and Present Knowledge: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.8 With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question. Speaking & Listening Comprehension and Collaboration: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1.A Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1.B Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.3 Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood. Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. Language Conventions of Standard English: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. Vocabulary Acquisition and Use: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on kindergarten reading and content. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.


Lesson 3: Practice Makes Perfect! CASEL NHES Common Core

Self-awareness Recognizing strengths Relationship skills Communication Teamwork Responsible decision-making Analyzing situations Reflecting

Standard 1. Understanding concepts 1.2.2 - Recognize that there are multiple dimensions of health.

English Language Arts Standards Reading: Literature Key Ideas and Details: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.2 With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text. Craft and Structure: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.4 Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. Reading: Foundational Skills Print Concepts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.1.B Recognize that spoken words are represented in written language by specific sequences of letters. Speaking & Listening Comprehension and Collaboration: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1.A Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1.B Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.3 Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood. Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. Research to Build and Present Knowledge: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them). Language Conventions of Standard English: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. Vocabulary Acquisition and Use: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.


Standards for Mathematical Practice Counting and Cardinality Count to tell the number of objects. CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.4.B Understand that the last number name said tells the number of objects counted. The number of objects is the same regardless of their arrangement or the order in which they were counted. Operations and Algebraic Thinking Understand addition as putting together and adding to, and understand subtraction as taking apart and taking from. CCSS.Math.Content.K.OA.A.1 Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings 1, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations. CCSS.Math.Content.K.OA.A.2 Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem. Measurement and Data Describe and compare measurable attributes. CCSS.Math.Content.K.MD.A.1 Describe measurable attributes of objects, such as length or weight. Describe several measurable attributes of a single object. CCSS.Math.Content.K.MD.A.2 Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common, to see which object has "more of"/"less of" the attribute, and describe the difference. For example, directly compare the heights of two children and describe one child as taller/shorter. Geometry Analyze, compare, create, and compose shapes. CCSS.Math.Content.K.G.B.6 Compose simple shapes to form larger shapes. For example, "Can you join these two triangles with full sides touching to make a rectangle?"


Lesson 4: Every Job Counts! CASEL NHES Common Core

Self-awareness Recognizing strengths Self-confidence Self-management Impulse control Stress management Self-discipline Self-motivation Organizational skills Social awareness Respect for others Relationship skills Teamwork Responsible decision-making Analyzing situations Evaluating Reflecting Ethical responsibility

Standard 1. Understanding concepts 1.2.1 - Identify that healthy behaviors impact personal health. Standard 2. Analyzing influences 2.2.2 - Identify what the school can do to support personal health practices and behaviors. Standard 7. Practicing healthy behaviors 7.2.1 - Demonstrate healthy practices and behaviors to maintain or improve personal health. Standard 8. Advocating 8.2.2 - Encourage peers to make positive health choices.

English Language Arts Standards Writing Text Types and Purposes: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.1 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book (e.g., My favorite book is...). Research to Build and Present Knowledge: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them). Speaking & Listening Comprehension and Collaboration: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1.A Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1.B Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood. Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.4 Describe familiar people, places, things, and events and, with prompting and support, provide additional detail. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. Language Conventions of Standard English: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. Vocabulary Acquisition and Use: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.


kindergarten unit introduction · why you didn’t do your work. remember: your words have power!...

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