CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Curiosity - Holocaust Survivor and Teen Boy Become Fast Friends

Curiosity helps us understand others’ experiences and learn more about the world.

Curiosity
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Respect
  • Caring
SEL Skills
  • Relationship Skills
  • Social Awareness 
Academic Skills
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Curiosity and Passion

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.

Critical and Creative Thinking

Acquire, remember, understand, and apply knowledge.

Curiosity and Passion

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

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

Students will learn about the importance of curiosity from a Holocaust survivor and a student who was eager to listen to their stories. Students will reflect on the impact that curiosity has in their own life.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What is curiosity?
    • Curiosity is a strong desire to learn something.
  • What are some things you are curious about?
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

Think about the video.

  • Where do you see curiosity valued in the video?
  • In the video, Dhilan listens to Janine’s stories, even if he has heard them before, because he knows it makes her feel comfortable. Why else is Dhilan’s compassion and curiosity impactful to Janine and the people that visit the museum?
  • How are curiosity and strong listening skills connected?
  • Why is it important for us to be curious about history?
  • What are some habits you can practice to show someone you are curious and interested in what they have to say and what they have experienced?
materials

Activity Materials

  • Pencils and paper
  • A way for students to type their interview questions and responses (optional)
activity

Activity: Practice Curiosity

  • Prompt students to think about someone they know who has experienced something unique in their life. They can think about a historical event the person lived through, a place they traveled to, or a challenge this person has overcome.
  • Students will craft ten questions that they could ask that person in order to learn more about their life experiences.
  • The questions should allow the person to elaborate and not answer with just a “yes” or “no.”
  • Example questions:
    • How did you overcome ___________?
    • How did this part of your life make you feel?
    • What advice would you give someone my age?
    • Who supported you? What did they do to support you?
    • What did you learn from ___________?
  • If it is possible for your students to actually interview the person, have them complete the interview and report what they learned back to your class.
  • Optional: Students can craft interview questions for someone that lived through a historical event you are learning about, or someone who has experienced a topic in other parts of your curriculum.

  • Follow-up questions:
    • How did you feel writing these questions?
    • If you were able to interview the person you wrote the questions for, how did that feel?
    • How did you practice curiosity in this activity?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • What is one thing you are curious about? How could you learn more about it?
  • Who can help you practice curiosity?

6-12

  • When is it challenging for you to practice curiosity?
  • Why is it important for you to practice curiosity throughout your lifetime?
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 curiosity.

  • What are some things you are curious about?
  • What are some routines we can have as a family to help us practice curiosity?
  • Brainstorm some questions you can use to learn more about a topic your family is interested in.

Activity

  • Take turns sharing things your family is curious about.
  • Each week, challenge your family to learn more about one of the topics that a family member shared. Brainstorm questions and research more information together. Consider interviewing an expert on the topic. Record what you have learned in a notebook to keep track of all the things your family has learned together by practicing curiosity!

More Kindness 101 Activities

CHARACTER COUNTS! Activities