CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Good Samaritans - Good Samaritan Launches Charity Walk to Aid a Total Stranger

Good Samaritans show kindness and care for the community by offering help to those in need.

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

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.

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 explore what it means to be a Good Samaritan.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What causes or organizations do people support or donate money to? 
  • Define the term “Good Samaritan.”
    • A Good Samaritan helps people who need it.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • How was Eugene a Good Samaritan?
  • In the video, we see Eugene quit his job so he could use his time to raise money. What are other ways you can help a cause, in small or big ways?
  • How does being a Good Samaritan relate to being a positive community member or a good citizen?
  • When is it challenging to help another person?
materials

Activity Materials

  • Access to technology and a search engine
  • Paper
  • Writing utensils
activity

Activity: Supporting a Charity

  • Ask students to pick a cause they wish to learn more about and research charities that support that cause.
  • Students will identify the following information about their charity:
    • What the charity supports.
    • Where their work creates an impact (worldwide, in a specific state, etc.).
    • How people can get involved (donations, sending supplies, etc.).
    • Why someone should support this charity.
  • Extension: Allow students to present the information about their charity. As they research, encourage them to write notes or write out what they want to say in their presentation.
  • Follow-up questions:
    • What are some common themes found in the charities we selected?
    • How can we work together to support the charities you chose?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • What does it mean to be a Good Samaritan?
  • Would you help a stranger like Eugene did? Why or why not?

6-12

  • Do you think everyone can be a Good Samaritan? Why or why not?
  • When is it most important to help others? Explain your reasoning.
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/B1K66Nr7FaE

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about being a Good Samaritan.

  • When have you seen someone go out of their way to help another person? What impact did that have on you?
  • If you saw someone needing help, what would you do?
  • How can our family get more involved in our community to help others in need?

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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