CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Encouragement – 11-Year Old Offers Support for Play-by-Play Announcer She Admires

A little bit of encouragement goes a long way in helping boost someone else’s confidence.

Encouragement
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Respect
  • Fairness
SEL Skills
  • Relationship Skills 
  • Social Awareness
Academic Skills
  • Curiosity and Passion
  • Self-Direction and Engagement

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.
Fairness
  • Play by the rules.
  • Take turns and share.
  • Be open-minded. Listen to others.
  • Don’t take advantage of others
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.

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

11-year-old Ellie teaches students about encouragement by offering support for a play-by-play announcer she admires. Students will practice and reflect on the power of encouraging others.

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activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What is the definition of encouragement?
    • Encouragement is the act of giving hope or support to someone.
  • What are some things you might say to encourage someone?
  • When have you needed encouragement?
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

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

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • Why do you think Melanie was so emotional when Ellie made a sign to support her?
  • How does encouraging others help build relationships?
  • What are ways to show encouragement to your friends?
  • Steve says, “The true heroes of any game are the ones who lift others.” What does that tell you about encouragement?
materials

Activity Materials

  • Sticky notes
  • Writing utensils
activity

Activity: Encouraging Notes

  • Give each student three sticky notes.
  • Have them write something encouraging on each note to give to others.
  • Have them pass these notes to other students or school staff.
  • Follow-up questions:
    • How does it feel to encourage others?
    • How does it feel to receive encouragement?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • Who always encourages you? Write down a plan to tell them how much their encouragement means to you.
  • How does encouragement help people achieve their goals?

6-12

  • How can you instill confidence and courage in others?
  • What are some ways you have been encouraged, and how did this help you?
  • Write about someone who you think has been feeling discouraged lately. How could you encourage them?
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/zAENNguMUoU

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about encouragement.

  • How do we show encouragement as a family?
  • What does it feel like when someone cheers you on or encourages you?
  • Who is excellent at offering encouragement to your family?

Activity

  • Send a thank-you note to someone who has encouraged you.

More Kindness 101

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