A child playing in the park notices a bully, and they run away. He loses his opportunity to spend time in the park. A part of him is left to feel lonely and helpless.
However, if just one person shows that child some kindness, stepping in to defend him from the bully, then their world is completely different.
They know that they’re not alone and that other people care about them. They realize just how much more powerful kindness is than hate or sorrow.
It’s vital for children to understand why kindness matters so much to them and their classmates. This way they can harness its power, and respect it moving forward, bringing kindness into their everyday life.
How to Use These Prompts on Kindness:
The best way to use these writing prompts is as an introduction to a larger discussion on the subject of kindness.
They allow students to think deeply and independently on the subject, as they work on their answers. This means that they will have a strong idea of kindness as they enter the larger class discussion, confident in what they are going to say. The discussion aspect allows students to get other perspectives on the prompts and thoughts on kindness as a whole. By bringing different ideas forward, everyone gains something new from the lesson.
These questions can be looked at individually. Taking on one question, every day for a week is a great way to get students to think about the subject and let it sink in over time. In other cases, it may be better to make this a one-day unit, which allows for a focused approach to the subject.
Other times, it may be a smart idea to do a prompt once a week. This will make sure that students are thinking about kindness and its virtues over an extended part of the school year.
The Prompts about Kindness:
- What is kindness?
- Is being kind easy or hard? Why?
- Can you think of a situation where you could have been kind, but weren’t? Describe it.
- Have you ever been in a situation where you were kind, but didn’t have to be? What happened because of that?
- Why is it important to be kind to others?
- Describe a time someone was kind to you, but didn’t need to be? How did it make you feel?
- Can kindness be used as a tool? If so, how?
- Have you ever heard the phrase, “Kill them with kindness?” What do you think it means?
- Can a single act of kindness change the world? Why or why not?
- When was the last time that you chose to be kind to someone?
- Have you ever regretted being kind? Why or why not?
- How can you encourage kindness in others?
- What are some ways to be kind to your family every day? How would this affect them?
- What is the opposite of kindness? Does that sound better or easier than being kind? Why?
- How can you be kind to people you don’t know?
- Is it hard to be kind? Why or why not?
- How small of a gesture can something be to still be considered a kind gesture? Can you come up with a few examples?
- Who taught you the most about kindness? What do you remember the most about them?
- Should our role models always be kind people? Why or why not?
- What’s the difference between an act of kindness for a friend and one for a stranger? Does that difference matter?
- Is volunteering a way of being kind to the community? How so?
- What are some ways you can volunteer in your community?
- Is smiling at others an act of kindness? Why or why not? How does it make you feel when someone smiles at you?
- If you were rich, what ways could you be kind that you can’t know?
- Is one act of kindness more important than another? Why or why not?
- During World War I, there was a truce on the Western Front on Christmas Day. It was a small act of kindness, highlighting the soldiers’ humanity. Can you think of any other acts of kindness that have had an impact on history?
- If you want to lead by example, what role does kindness play?
- Is everyone capable of kindness?
- What would the world look like if no one was kind to each other? How would this be different from it is now?
- Do you ever feel incapable of kindness? How does this make you feel?
- Is there any situation where being kind isn’t the answer? If so, what is that situation?
- What is the impact that receiving and giving a compliment can have?
- What does it mean to be kind in the face of a bully?
- Is there anyone who you should be kinder to? Why and how?
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