Memory Verse(s):
Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.
- Samuel Johnson
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32
Concept Board: Write or Stencil KINDNESS across the top of a piece of poster board. Have child brainstorm what "Kindness is and means" give some examples of Kindness. Put these on the board. Read several stories, some suggestions--Corduroy and A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman, and The Ugly Duckling. Have child find examples of kindness (and unkind behaviors) in the stories. List these on the board as well.
Discuss what you should do if you have been unkind? How can you help make the other person feel better? How can you make up for it? Have child carry out one of the things they brainstorm. Add these to the board as well.
Write a Friendly Letter (may be a good time to introduce parts of a letter, depending on readiness of child) to a story charachter who was kind (Lisa from Corduroy, or The Woodcutter from the Ugly Duckling for example).
Have child think of times when someone else was kind to them, write a letter of appreciation to them.
Look through the newspaper for stories of kindness, cut them out, add them to your board.
Write a KINDNESS Acrostic poem. Put the letters K-I-N-D-N-E-S-S vertically down a peice of paper, have the child write something Kind or about kindness that starts with each letter. Add it to the board too.
Do some Random Acts of Kindness: Color-A-Smile--Color pictures to brighten someone's day.Collect food for a food bank.Prepare a meal for a homeless shelter, or bake some cakes for a shelter to freeze and use later.Collect animal items to donate to an animal shelter.Clean up a playgound.Make a card for Military personel.Make a blanket and donate it to a hospital/fire station/police station to be given out to children/families.Take Lemonade/Water and cookies/brownies etc. to some road side workers (who work hard on the roads in the heat of summer and the cold of winter). Leave a treat or thank you note for your mail carrier.