CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Commitment – Woman Gets Liver Transplant and Much More​

Commitments are important to make and keep. Following through on our commitments speaks to our character and what we value.

Commitment
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Responsibility
  • Caring 
SEL Skills
  • Responsible Decision-Making
  • Self-Management
Academic Skills
  • Diligent Learner
  • Effective Problem Solving

Definitions

Responsibility
  • Do what you are supposed to do. Try your best.
  • Persevere. Keep on trying.
  • Be self-disciplined.
  • Think before you act. Consider the consequences.
  • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes.
Caring
  • Be kind.
  • Be compassionate.
  • Express gratitude.
  • Forgive others.
  • Be considerate of others’ feelings.
Responsible Decision-Making

Make decisions based on rationality, ethics, and effectiveness.

Self-Management

Regulate emotions, attitudes, and actions and resist negative emotions and impulses.

Diligent Learner

Have a growth mindset and is willing to learn from mistakes.

Effective Problem-Solving

Make rational, ethical, and effective decisions to find the best solutions to problems.

Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.
Share This Activity
The Ray Center at Drake University
CBS News

Students will learn about commitment from a woman receiving a liver transplant from a stranger.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What does it mean to commit to something?
    • When we are committed, we are dedicated to a cause or activity.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • What commitments did you see in the video?
  • “Acts of great kindness are done without expectation.” What does this quote from the video mean to you?
  • What is the importance of a commitment?
  • When is following through on a commitment difficult?
materials

Activity Materials

  • Index cards
  • Writing utensils
activity

Activity: Commitment Cards

  • Students will write the sentence starter “I commit to” at the top of their index cards.
  • Then, they will finish the sentence with something they want to commit to at school or home in the next week. For example, commit to a:
    • task to help a friend or someone in need.
    • routine to show kindness to someone (such as saying good morning).
    • way to be more positive.
    • character skill that you want to focus on during the next week.
  • Students should put the commitment card somewhere that they’ll see often so it is a consistent reminder.
  • After students complete their commitment cards, ask them to share their commitment with a partner.
  • After a week, have students talk with the same partner about their commitment and if they have been successful at keeping it.
  • Follow-up questions:
    • How did you successfully remember to act on your commitment?
    • What made it difficult to follow through on your commitment?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • Do you think you could make a sacrifice like the one made in the video? Why or why not?
  • How does it make you feel when someone follows through on a commitment they made to you? How does it make you feel when they don’t follow through? Explain your reasoning.

6-12

  • “The more likely you are to live for others, the more likely you are to live.” What does this quote from the video mean to you?
  • What character skills does it take to make a big sacrifice for a stranger?
  • How does it make you feel when someone follows through on a commitment they made to you? How does it make you feel when they don’t follow through? Explain your reasoning.
family connection

Family Connection

Educators: Copy the Family Connection and email it to parents, or click here to download a PDF version to email or print.

Watch
Watch the video as a family: https://youtu.be/AeHsrPC0vJA

Discuss
Use these questions to start a meaningful discussion about commitment.

  • What was your takeaway from the video?
  • What commitments do we make to one another?
  • How are commitments important to our family?

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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RayCenter@Drake.edu

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