Special Awareness Days
November 13th – World Kindness Day
Introduction
Every day should be a “kindness day,” but sometimes we get so busy that we forget how important it is to be kind to others. It doesn’t take much. A smile, a nod, an expression of appreciation or congratulations—these things matter.
World Kindness Day was introduced in 1998 by the “World Kindness Movement,” a coalition of non-governmental organizations that believe that kindness bridges the gaps between all people, regardless of race, religion, politics, gender, or ethnicity. This global organization (which includes Canada) is seeking to approach the United Nations to have World Kindness Day officially recognized and its members unanimously sign a Declaration of Support for World Kindness.
K-2 – Language, Communication, Art
Invite students to explain what kindness means. A think-pair-share method may be helpful.
Continue the discussion by asking:
- How do you feel when someone is kind to you?
- How do you feel when you are kind to someone else?
- What are some ways that you have either shown kindness to someone or had someone show kindness to you?
Record their oral responses, remembering rules of confidentiality. You may wish to share examples on your school website.
Close by reminding students that kindness is something that needs to be practised and remembered every day.
Grades 3-5 – Language, Communication, Art
Invite students to watch the video "The Easiest Way to Spread Kindness," created by The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.
Have a rich discussion about the message of this video and what students learned—or re-learned—about kindness. You might prompt students by asking what they noticed about who people gave the sticky notes to or where they placed the notes. Ask:
- Did the givers only give notes to their friends? Who else might have received them or seen them?
- Did the givers get any recognition or thanks for the notes? Do you think it mattered? Why or why not?
- What do you think people would do once they got or saw the sticky note? What would you do if you got one?
Pass out sticky notes of various colours and invite students to make simple messages that will make someone smile. Create a KINDNESS board like the one in the video either in your classroom, in the hall, or at the front of the school. Invite other classes to record and post small acts of kindness that they have either performed or been a recipient of.
Grades 6-8 – Language, Citizenship, Art
Sometimes we forget to recognize that everyone needs a little kindness now and then. Discuss how it feels to be the recipient of a kind act and how it feels to perform an act of kindness for someone else.
Brainstorm a list of people who might not experience acts of kindness very often (e.g., the school office staff, the caretaker, the bus driver, the librarian, parent volunteers).
Invite each student to find some way to recognize and appreciate one of these people. Here are some suggestions:
- Smile, wave or just say thanks as you walk by the office
- Send a note to the caretaker or building superintendent thanking them for how they keep your school safe and clean.
- Leave a note on the board or wall saying thanks to the staff who clean your classroom after you are gone.
- Make a card, write a note, or draw a picture to say thank you to someone who may not hear it every day.
- Prepare a week (or month) of simple kindness ideas to make someone’s day. Each day have one of them read out during morning announcements.
- Make a private list of at least 5 ways to be kind to yourself!
