The Kindness Project: An un-competition
The Kindness Project encourages students to imagine how their kindness can make the world a better place—and then ACT to make it so!
Programs are for all grade levels, however supporting VAPA materials are targeted at middle school. You and your classes are invited to participate in any of the several program formats below.
1. Online and free. The ideas here are a springboard to help your classes develop their empathy skills!
2. The Kindness Project-Moving Kindness. As a 4-8 week residency incorporating both writing and creative movement, this is the most comprehensive approach. Weekly in person classes are taught by a Tandy Beal & Company Teaching Artist. These classes guide students (and classroom teachers!) through imaginative games, exercises, writing prompts, and kindness-evoking discussions. Incorporating specific creative movement exercises stimulates empathy alongside the writing and reflection aspects. A large open room is needed. TBC works with the classroom teacher to craft the classes to align with the teacher’s goals. This program format qualifies for support from the Santa Cruz County Office of Education for a few schools each year. It is also available to other schools for a fee.
3. The Kindness Project —Words of Kindness. As a multi-week residency, this version is focused only on writing, reflecting, and discussing about kindness—given or received.
The consistent GOAL in each of these formats is to motivate and celebrate the many ways we can be kind to each other. Whether in writing, discussion, movement, games, reflections, each format shares these elements:
• Why is kindness important? How was someone kind to you? How does it feel when you’re kind to someone else? How did someone’s kindness help you grow?
• At the end of the 4-8 week residencies, you and your class a collaborative decision as to where you want to see more kindness in the community. Then TBC gives you an award of $50 to support a non-profit that champions your classroom’s choice.
Questions? Please contact us at TandyBealCompany@gmail.com
Kindness…we could all use more!
Congratulations to all the students and teachers who have participated — online, after school, or in weekly classes with movement and writing! Students have written wonderful essays, thank you notes, collaborated to make engaging presentations and dances that represented their thoughts and hopes for kindness in our lives. They have made a difference in this world! Through these classes donations have gone to :
Make a Wish Foundation
Watsonville Wetlands Watch
Jacobs Heart
Marine Mammal Center
Santa Cruz SPCA
Here are some photos of students celebrating their wonderful work. As you can see, we began the Kindness Project during the isolation of Covid.
Kaleah Alanis — Virtual Academy 4th grader; Teacher: David Manier; Principal: Jennifer Ponzio
Kaleah chose to donate her award to the Marine Mammal Center.
Kaleah Alanis with her teacher David Manier, Tandy Beal, and Marine Mammal Center volunteer Tammy Slenkovich.
5th grade students from Sally Walker’s class at Ann Soldo Elementary
Ms. Walker’s class chose to donate their award to the Santa Cruz SPCA.
5th grade students at Ann Soldo with their teacher Ms. Walker, their principal Elaine Parker, and Tandy Beal.
5th grade students from Amy Ryan’s class at Mar Vista Elementary
Other schools that have participated include MacQuiddy, Bonny Doon and Bradley Elementary.
About the Teacher Materials: Tandy Beal and Company worked with Board Member, Lyn Olson, former VAPA Coordinator for the PVUSD and currently a mentor for the Santa Cruz/Silicon Valley New Teacher Project. To support teachers’ work in this project, Lyn developed the Teacher Materials and curriculum connected to the VAPA Standards and guidelines for Social Emotional Learning. MANY THANKS to Lyn for her careful, enthusiastic, and insightful work to aid and encourage teachers!