CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Companionship - A Geese Love Story

Companionship is an essential part of both human and animal lives. Having someone you can lean on makes challenges more bearable and life more enjoyable.

Companionship
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Trustworthiness
  • Caring
SEL Skills
  • Responsible Decision-Making
  • Social Awareness
Academic Skills
  • Effective Problem Solving
  • Self-Direction and Engagement

Definitions

Trustworthiness
  • Be honest. Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal.
  • Have integrity. Do what you say you’ll do.
  • Keep your promises.
  • Be loyal. Stand by your values.
Caring
  • 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.
Responsible Decision-Making

Make decisions based on rationality, ethics, and effectiveness.

Social Awareness

Assess and be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others.

Effective Problem Solving

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

Self-Direction and Engagement

Fully engaged in the educational process and connected to the school community.

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

Students will learn about the importance of a companion from geese. They will reflect on how they can enhance their relationship skills and social awareness skills.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

What are partners that go together? Examples:

    • Items
      • Pepper and Salt
      • Milk and Cereal
      • Peanut Butter and Jelly
    • Sayings
      • Two peas in a Pod
    • Cartoons
      • Donald and Daffy Duck
      • Mickey and Minnie Mouse
    • Pop culture
      • Superman and Lois
  • What is the definition of companionship?
    • Companionship is when you feel closeness with another person and enjoy being with them.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • How does loneliness impact Blossom?
  • Why is companionship so important in bringing joy into our lives?
  • How does your best friend make you feel?
materials

Activity Materials

  • A deck of cards
activity

Activity: Finding Your Match

  • Shuffle the cards and randomly pass them out to students.
  • Instruct students to keep their cards hidden.
  • Students will try to find their matching partner without using words or showing them their card before the timer goes off.
  • If they think they have a match, they sit beside each other.
  • Once the time runs out or everyone is sitting, reveal the pairs to see if they are correct.
  • Shuffle the cards and play again if desired.
  • Follow-up question:
    • How did it feel to find your match?
    • What does this game teach us about companionship?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • Describe or draw your best friend and what you love to do together.
  • Why is it important to have a good friend?

6-12

  • How has having a close friend helped you?
  • Research shows we are a more connected society than ever before but also lonelier than at any other time in history. Why do you think this is true?
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/Q4giVYZgaQY

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about acceptance.

  • How did Blossom react to losing her mate/friend?
  • Who is your best friend, and what about them makes you feel alive?

Activity

  • Play a game of Match/Memory as a family using a deck of cards.
  • Instructions
    • Lay all the cards face down in the middle of the table or floor.
    • With each turn, a player turns over two cards.
    • They can keep the cards and try again if they are a match.
    • If they are not a match, they turn both cards back over, and the play passes to another family member.
    • After playing, discuss the importance of having a “match” when forming friendships.

More Kindness 101

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