CBS News and CHARACTER COUNTS! are proud to present Kindness 101, a collection of complimentary K-12 lessons to teach character, social-emotional, and academic skills.
Each lesson features a short video originating from CBS News’ On the Road series with Steve Hartman. Students and educators easily connect to the heartwarming and inspirational stories featured in the videos.
Along with the video, we’ve provided activities, discussion and journal prompts, family connections, and a Google Slides deck. You may even find lessons written by teachers at schools near you!
Lessons are categorized into three topics: Character Skills, Social-Emotional Skills, and Academic Skills. Click on Activities and Lessons in the menu, and then you can filter to choose which topic or skill you’d like to teach.
While the lessons are written for K-12 students, you may find it helpful to adapt the lesson for your students’ learning objectives. Plus, the journal questions offer K-5 and 6-12 options.
Use any combination of the video, activity, or discussion and journal prompts to meet your educational goals. This flexibility also accommodates time constraints.
Heartwarming and inspirational videos from Steve Hartman’s “On the Road” series highlight stories about kindness, character, and the people who have mastered these important qualities.
Each lesson includes a short activity to help students apply what they learned from the video.
Discussion prompts help further the concept.
Through journal prompts, students can reflect on their own individual character.
Character is first taught at home. Including families in these Kindness 101 lessons will extend their positive impact on students. Family Connections include a link to the video, discussion prompts, and family activities.
Each Family Connection is available within the web lesson and as a PDF. You can share the Family Connection however is most convenient for you and your students’ families. For example, you could attach the Family Connection to an email, like a weekly newsletter, or send it through a family communication app.
The Google Slides Are Ready
Each lesson has an accompanying Google Slides deck with the discussion and journal prompts. This is an optional resource for you to use as you see fit. You could project it during class or post it in an online classroom for students to complete independently.
Just Download the Handouts
The handouts have been created for you! Any handouts will be linked in the Materials section of the lesson.
Contact us if you need ideas or assistance implementing the lessons. We’re happy to help!
“Steve Hartman’s stories have been the heart and soul of all the SEL I’ve done with high school seniors.”
– Jeff B.
“I use the Kindness 101 videos to drive my morning meetings! My kids love them!”
– Carol F.
“My students have been watching these videos all year, and I have truly seen a change in my students. I cry most days because the videos are so touching, but my students love them, and so do I!”
– Kristyn M.
Choose a lesson and get started!
About the Topics
Trustworthiness
Have integrity, be honest, keep promises, and be loyal to your values
Respect
Show acceptance and respect for others
Responsibility
Be accountable for actions, show perseverance and self-discipline
Fairness
Be open-minded, don’t take advantage of others, play by the rules
Caring
Show compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness
Good Citizenship
Make choices that protect the safety and rights of others
When students develop character skills, they’ll be more likely to achieve their personal, school, and career goals and become engaged, responsible, and productive citizens. You’ll notice more:
Learn more about the Six Pillars of Character.
Self-Awareness
Identify and understand emotions, values, attitudes, motivations, mindsets, and personal attributes
Self-Management
Regulate emotions, attitudes, and actions, and manage negative emotions and impulses
Relationship Skills
Create positive relationships and meaningful connections with family members, classmates, and teachers
Responsible Decision-Making
Make decisions based on rationality, ethics, and effectiveness
Social Awareness
Assess and be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others
When students develop social-emotional skills, they’ll be more likely to develop positive, healthy relationships, manage their emotions, and make good choices. You’ll notice more:
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
Diligent Learner
Exhibit a growth mindset and willingness to learn from mistakes
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
When students develop these skills, they can reach their intellectual and academic potential. You’ll notice:
Join the CBS News Kindness 101 Facebook Group to share ideas with others.
Join us for an online Introduction to CHARACTER COUNTS! workshop.
Our team of professional educators will teach you the basic principles of CHARACTER COUNTS! and how to:
You’ll also receive an implementation planning guide and free resources to help you get started.
Register early for a discounted rate! Click here for more information and to register
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(C) 2024 The Ray Center at Drake University is proud to be the home of CHARACTER COUNTS! CHARACTER COUNTS!, the Six Pillars of Character, and Pursuing Victory with Honor are trademarks of the Josephson Institute. CHARACTER COUNTS! was founded by Michael Josephson through the Joseph and Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics.
