CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Connection – The Animal Odd Couple

Connection builds meaningful relationships and bonds between individuals by recognizing and appreciating similarities and differences, fostering a sense of belonging and support, and creating positive and lasting friendships.

Connection
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Respect
  • Caring
SEL Skills
  • Relationship Skills
  • Social Awareness
Academic Skills
  • Curiosity and Passion
  • Diligent Learner

Definitions

Respect
  • Follow the Golden Rule.
  • Be accepting of differences.
  • Be courteous to others.
  • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements.
  • Be considerate of others’ feelings.
Caring
  • Be kind.
  • Be compassionate.
  • Express gratitude.
  • Forgive others.
  • Be considerate of others’ feelings.
Relationship Skills
Create positive relationships and meaningful connections with family members, classmates, and teachers.
Social Awareness

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

Curiosity and Passion

Enthusiastic to understand more about themselves, others, and the world around them.

Diligent Learner
Have a growth mindset and is willing to learn from mistakes.
Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.
Share This Activity
The Ray Center at Drake University
CBS News
Students will learn and reflect on what it means to be a friend by analyzing the unlikely friendship between a dog named Bella and an elephant named Tarra at an animal sanctuary. 
Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • How do you make a connection with people around you?
  • What characteristics drew you to your closest friends?
  • What does connection mean?
    • Connection means sharing feelings, being vulnerable, seeking to understand each other, and meeting one another with trust.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • Think about the video. Why do you think Tarra and Bella formed such a strong bond?
  • What do you think Tarra and Bella have in common?
  • What qualities do you think contribute to solid friendships?
  • How can we create connections with people who may seem different from us?
materials

Materials

activity

Activity: Connection Interview

  • Pair students up randomly or ask them to find someone they do not talk to regularly.
  • Each partnership will take turns interviewing one another (using the Connection Interview handout). They will choose five of the interview questions to ask their partner.
  • After students have had enough time to interview their partners, each partnership will join another partnership (making a group of four).
  • Each student should introduce their partner and share two interesting things about them with the small group.
  • Follow-up question:
    • What insights did you gain from the connection interview?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • Who is your best friend, and what do you like to do together?
  • Draw a picture of you and your best friend doing something you enjoy together.

6-12

  • Reflect on a meaningful friendship. What values do you share with your friend? How does this friendship enrich your life?
  • Imagine you are introducing your friend to someone new. What qualities would you highlight about your friend? Why are these qualities essential in a friend?
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

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about connection.

  • Why do you think Tarra and Bella connected as friends?
  • What makes an unlikely friendship work so well?
  • What are the attributes of a good friend?

Activity

  • Invite your neighbors over for a potluck and get to know them better.
  • Volunteer at a local shelter as a family and make a new furry friend.

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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