CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Mentorship - Buffalo Bills Rookie Honors “Big Brother” at Game

Mentorship is helping and encouraging others by sharing what you know and caring about their well-being.

Mentorship
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Responsibility
  • Caring
  • Good Citizenship
SEL Skills
  • Relationship Skills
  • Social Awareness
Academic Skills
  • Diligent Learner
  • Self-Direction and Engagement

Definitions

Trustworthiness
  • Be honest. Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal.
  • Have integrity. Do what you say you’ll do.
  • Keep your promises.
  • Be loyal. Stand by your values.
Responsibility
  • Do what you are supposed to do. Try your best.
  • Persevere. Keep on trying.
  • Be self-disciplined.
  • Think before you act. Consider the consequences.
  • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes.
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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CBS News
The Ray Center at Drake University

Students will explore the concept of mentorship by identifying the qualities that make someone a good mentor, practicing mentoring through a role-play activity, and reflecting on how mentorship encourages growth in themselves and others.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • Think about a time when someone helped you learn a new skill, like riding your bike, tying your shoes, or playing a new sport. Why do you think they helped you learn that skill?
  • Have you ever helped someone else learn something they didn’t know before? What did that feel like?
  • How does it feel when someone believes in you and encourages you?
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

Think about the video.

  • How did Ray’s mentor influence his personal and professional life?
  • What qualities make a good mentor? How did Ray’s mentor demonstrate these qualities?
  • How can you show appreciation to someone who has made an impact in your life?
materials

Activity Materials

  • Students will need access to typical school supplies (paper, writing utensils, etc.)

activity

Activity: Mentoring New Skills

  • Pair students up for a mentorship role-play scenario.
  • One student will be the mentor, and one will be the mentee. Students will complete two rounds, so each person has a chance to play both roles.
  • The mentor will have 3 minutes to teach the mentee a new skill. They may need some time to brainstorm their special skill.
  • To help students choose a skill:
    • Option 1: Allow the mentor to decide which skill they want to teach, giving them a chance to share their unique talents. You may provide a list of ideas for students who need inspiration.
    • Option 2: Provide a list of skills for mentors to choose from. Examples include:
      • Draw
      • Juggle
      • Fold paper designs
      • Clap out a rhythm
      • Memorize words to a song or chant
      • Dance
      • Whistle
      • Make paper airplanes
      • Meditate
      • Tie a knot
      • Solve a math equation
  • Close the activity with a reminder: being a mentor is more than teaching a skill. Mentors encourage, guide, and care about the other person’s success and well-being.

  • Reflection Questions:
    • What were the most challenging parts of being each role (mentor and mentee)?
    • What things did your partner do that made them a good mentor?
    • What did you learn about yourself as a mentor?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • Think about a mentor in your life. What makes them a good mentor?
  • If you could mentor a younger person, what skill would you teach them and why?
  • You can mentor someone for big or small skills, and sometimes it’s just encouraging a friend to learn something new. How do you show encouragement to your friends?

6-12

  • Think of a mentor in your life. How did they impact you, and what qualities make them a great mentor?
  • How is mentorship different from friendship, and in what ways do they overlap?
  • Why might people sometimes be hesitant to be mentors? What could hold them back?
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 mentorship.

  • How can we support each other in learning new things?
  • Why is it important to both teach and learn from each other in our family?
  • Why is it important to encourage each other to learn new skills?

Activity

  • Each family member chooses one small skill or talent they can teach the rest of the family.
  • Hold a show-and-tell night where each person demonstrates their skill and mentors the family members to learn it.
  • Ensure every family member has a chance to highlight their skill and mentor others.

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