CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Empathy – 4-Year-Old Superhero Has the Power to Feed the Homeless

Showing empathy means actively caring for the well-being of others. It’s about supporting and uplifting those around you through thoughtful actions, words, and gestures.

Empathy
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Caring
  • Good Citizenship
SEL Skills
  • Responsible Decision-Making
  • Social Awareness
Academic Skills
  • Curiosity and Passion
  • Effective Problem Solving

Definitions

Caring
  • Be kind.
  • Be compassionate.
  • Express gratitude.
  • Forgive others.
  • Be considerate of others’ feelings.
Good Citizenship
  • Do your share to make your home, school, and community better.
  • Cooperate.
  • Stay informed. Vote.
  • Be a good neighbor.
  • Make choices that protect the safety and rights of others.
  • Protect the environment.
Responsible Decision-Making

Make decisions based on rationality, ethics, and effectiveness.

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.

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.
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The Ray Center at Drake University
CBS News

Students will reflect on empathy, their ability to make an impact, and their sense of responsibility towards their community.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What can you learn from a 4-year-old?
  • How can everyone, no matter how young, make a positive impact?
  • What does empathy mean?
    • Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
  • What is the difference between empathy and sympathy?
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

Click here for the shortened video (best for secondary students).

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • What is empathy?
    • The ability to experience the thoughts and feelings of someone else.
  • What did you learn from Austin Perine?
  • How did Austin show love and compassion towards others?
  • What impact did Austin’s actions have on the homeless community?
  • How can we apply Austin’s example to our own lives?
materials

Activity Materials

    • Ball (one per small group)
    • Writing utensils
    • Paper
activity

Activity: Brainstorm Ball

Break students into small groups of 5-8 or keep the whole class together for a larger game.

  • Explain how to play Brainstorm Ball.
    • On each throw, students will share a problem in the community. (For example, a neighborhood needs to be cleaned.)
    • Record the students’ ideas.
    • After the group has finished brainstorming problems in the community, they will choose one they want to focus on.
  • Restart Brainstorm Ball to share ideas for solving the problem and record them using the same process as before.
  • Suggested expectations before you begin:
    • Call out a name before you throw it to that individual.
    • All ideas are welcomed and appreciated.
    • Soft throws only.
    • Add any other rules or boundaries your students need to do this safely and successfully.
  • Follow-up questions:
    • Were there any community problems that you didn’t know existed?
    • What do you think stops people from trying to solve problems in their communities?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • What does compassion or empathy look like at recess, the classroom, the cafeteria, and home?
  • How will you show empathy this week at school, at home, and in the community?
  •  

6-12

  • What are some ways you can show empathy to others in your community?
  • How do you think showing compassion and empathy can make a difference?
  • Think of a problem in your community. Describe what you can do to help solve the problem and carry out one of the solutions.
  •  
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 together: https://youtu.be/tuVq0xHy5xM

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about empathy.

  • In what ways does your family show empathy?
  • What makes you feel like your family empathizes with you?
  • How can we show empathy as a family in our community? 

Activity
Choose a way to support the community in the next month.

  • Volunteer at a local shelter.
  • Donate food and clothing.
  • Write letters of gratitude to those who serve the community (hospital staff, firefighters, policemen, military personnel, teachers, etc.).
  • Organize a neighborhood cleanup.

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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Des Moines, IA 50311

515-271-1910

RayCenter@Drake.edu

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