The Kindness Project
an un-competition
THERE IS MAGIC WHEN SOMEONE TREATS YOU WITH KINDNESS…
THERE IS EVEN MORE MAGIC WHEN YOU TREAT ANOTHER WITH KINDNESS!
The Process for engaging with us on The Kindness Project
As we all know, kindness is the antidote to bullying—and to creating an inclusive community. Looking outside of oneself, leadership skills, discussion about the “big ideas” in life and social action are foundational to The Kindness Project and are central in each format. If you choose:
• The online form is free, and you shape it to your class needs. We are available to discuss the project with you.
• The Moving Kindness format or Words of Kindness start with an email to Rebecca Blair to discuss timelines, goals, expectations, and finances at tandybealcompany@gmail.com.
In all formats, students are immersed in thinking about kindness through class discussions and reflection and with tools to make the world a kinder place.
MAGIC, MAGIC EVERYWHERE
Activities for TBC Residencies in Classrooms
1. With your school’s lead point person and TBC staff, decide the length of the residency. With movement components, we will need a large clear space, with a clean floor.
We encourage the Moving Kindness format as it offers an immediate and non verbal approach to developing listening skills, awareness of self, community, relationships—and of course brings the children out of their chairs!
2. Consultation with classroom teacher and TBC teaching-artists to discuss goals and how much s/he wants to expand on ideas and activities during regular class time. Can be on email, although live or digital meetings preferred.
3. When classes start, TBC teaching-artists engage students in creative movement exercises to invite them into the present moment, their physical space (and boundaries), relating to others as well as their environment. We scaffold the movement experiences to help ground the writing process—both avenues of discovery focused on creating rich discussions about kindness. In most residencies, students write short paragraphs each class. With enough time, they can shape these into longer essays. A Writing Rubric and Presentation Rubric have been provided, but are not required.
4. In residencies longer than 4 weeks, the class is invited to discuss where they want to see more kindness in the community. In order to take these ideas into social action, the teacher helps the class choose a non-profit organization that aligns with their passions and interests. Tandy Beal and Co. then awards the class a $50 donation to pay it forward to a non profit to champion their desire to see help spread kindness in our community.
5. In 6 week residencies, TBC will complete your school’s Book of Kindness, created from the writings of your students and teachers.
These lists of Santa Cruz Non-profits and Monterey Non-profits in our communities are only a suggestion!
What The School Gets
Spotlight on Kindness, Empathy and Anti-bullying
Classroom Relationships are strengthened
Creative Movement and Writing skills are expanded
Community is formed around kindness
$50 Class Award to a non-profit
Suggested Materials and Prompts
Authentic Audience for student authors
Opportunity for Real World Social Action beginning with the individual student
Student Leadership in student driven discussions
Recognition for class or school
The Book of Kindness written by your classes
Supplemental Teacher Toolkit to Ignite student thinking about the topic of Kindness
Suggested Kindness intro videos:
Suggested Kindness introduction ‘read aloud’s:
1.Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena (K-5)
2.Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson (1-5)
3.One Green Apple by Eve Bunting (1-5)
4.Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts (1-5)
Supplemental Teacher and Student Materials
Kindness Organizer with prompts for essay or presentation
Blank Organizer with room for notes for essay or presentation
Rubric for kindness essay
Tips for preparing Powerpoint or Slides presentation
Applicable ELA Learning Objectives
~Plan and write a five-paragraph essay with a clear thesis and strong supporting conclusion. OR…
~Plan and prepare a presentation in an organized manner using facts and relevant descriptive details to support main ideas or themes using video or visual displays.
Applicable CCSS Education Standards
“When students' writing has an authentic audience beyond the classroom teacher, they can see a direct connection between their lives and their literacy development.” Monica Burns, Edutopia
https://www.edutopia.org/article/value-of-authentic-audience-monica-burns
Applicable Social Emotional Learning Competencies
Social Emotional Learning: Social-Emotional Learning focuses on developing interpersonal skills necessary for building relationships in and outside of school. It begins with a focus on self-awareness and knowing one’s own emotional cues. Once students understand their own emotions, they can learn to recognize others’ feelings and develop empathy. In an attempt to enhance these skills, schools are realizing the need to embed social and emotional skills within the curriculum.