Words can uplift others, but they can also cause harm. In this lesson, students will hear the story Desmond and the Very Mean Word, and they'll discuss the power of positive and negative words in friendships, school, and community.

In this lesson, students will explore growth mindset and learn to shift from saying “This is too hard,” to “This may take time.” They will practice slowing down and building patience when things are challenging and require effort.

What are the tools of mindfulness and building community that support greater ease and connection? In this lesson, students will reflect on the mindfulness and social emotional learning tools they have learned through song and sculpting.

In this lesson students, learn how to listen and practice community-building skills using the circle process. This lesson helps build community and establish norms for how students communicate with each other.

In this lesson, students will learn about how emotions change and will understand and discuss different feeling words for different emotions by associating emotions with colors, visuals, and a charades game.

Forgiveness is an important skill to cultivate. In this lesson, students will hear a story about forgiveness, practice forgiveness through breathing and discussion, and create a craft that includes words of forgiveness.

According to research about growth mindsets, certain kinds of praise can stifle growth, while others promote learning and achievement. In this lesson, students will be able to identify and use praise words that support growth mindset.

In this lesson, students will reflect on what they have learned, connected to mindfulness and living in a caring community, and will write a letter to a future student to encourage them in their learning, as well.

In this lesson, students will identify what they already know about a topic, what they need to know, and how they will achieve their learning goal.

In this lesson, students will discuss what it means to care for others, practice heartfulness and create a kindness bear puppet.

Help your ELs practice identifying how their peers are feeling to develop emotions vocabulary and support comprehension. It can be used as a stand-alone lesson or a support lesson.

Speaking with kindness and care can be easier with the THINK method! In this lesson, students will identify questions to ask themselves when speaking to others. They will also practice mindful listening with a partner.

Students will explore self-esteem through the book I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont. They will write secret kindness notes to others and to themselves, and reflect on how self-esteem can support connection with oneself and the community.

In this lesson, students will learn the term "restorative justice." They will discuss the role of restorative justice in the book What are you staring at?, and they will brainstorm ways they can bring these practices into the classroom.

Gabi Garcia's "Listening With My Heart" provides students with an opportunity to reflect on ways to extend themselves compassion all year long. This engaging lesson supports students in understanding what kindness is, as well as how to be kind to themselves and others in their daily lives.

Compliments can build relationships and a positive class climate! In this lesson, students will participate in a compliment circle, give and receive compliments, and draw/write kind notes to others.

Planning for a substitute in the classroom has never been easier than with this daily kindergarten sub plan! Your substitute can keep your students learning in your absence by using these lessons, worksheets, and activities.