Friendship is being caring and considerate to self and others. A kind person shows concern for the feelings of others and is helpful and generous.

Assembly Read Aloud: Heartprints by P.K. Hallinan

Additional Titles:

Are You Empathetic Today? by Kris Yankee and Marian Nelson	Millie Fierce by Jane Manning	Chester’s Way by Kevin Henkes
The Potato Chip Champ by Maria Dismondy	South by Patrick McDonnell	Pirates and Princesses by Jill Kargman and Christine Davenier
How to Lose All of Your Friends by Nancy Carlson	Giddeon and Otto by Oliver Dunrea	Friends Always by Tanja Wenisch

Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by Margery Cuyler

When Mrs. Ruler asks five of her kindergarteners to miss recess, she’s got a special plan up her sleeve. She’s about to teach a new golden rule:
KINDNESS IS COOL!

How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham

In a city full of hurried people, only young Will notices the bird lying hurt on the ground. With the help of his sympathetic mother, he gently wraps the injured bird and takes it home.

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Marie Dismondy

How can Ralph be so mean? Lucy is one of a kind and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy’s defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make a good choice.

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party . . . until, that is, a new kid comes to class.
When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine.

How to Fill Your Bucket by Carol McCloud and David Messing

Through the story of a little boy named Felix, this book explains to children how being kind not only helps others, it helps them, too. As he goes about his day, Felix interacts with different people — his sister Anna, his grandfather, other family and friends. Some people are happy, but others are grumpy or sad. Using the metaphor of a bucket and dipper, Felix’ grandfather explains why the happy people make Felix feel good, while the others leave him feeling bad — and how Felix himself is affecting others, whether he means to or not.

Do You Want to be My Friend? by Eric Carle

In a 2009 Newsweek article, Eric Carle was asked which of his books were his favorite. He named this book, stating that it was an autobiographical story of his search for friendship as an immigrant 5-year-old. He finally found a close friend just before he moved back to Germany, which was soon war-torn.

How Kind by Mary Murphy

Read by Mrs. Berube’s and Mrs. Narciso’s 2014-2015 Classes.

Songs:
Kindness Song in Sign Language

Friend Song http://singdancelearn.com/character-education-songs/friend-song/

Jack Johnson: We Are Gonna Be Friends

Bruno Mars: Count On Me

Activities:

Kindness Valentine: Using a heart shape (attached) and a cloze phrase for the card (i.e., I like you because ____.; I like the way you_____.). Write the card and place it in a classmate’s mailbox or display it on a bulletin board, etc.

Cooperative Picture: Divide the class into partners. Take turns drawing features on a face, butterfly, animal or house together. Each partner signs his/her name and displays the picture. Variation: Have partners work together to use crayons to colour a picture that has already been created. Pictures can be related to existing classroom themes, etc.

Block Exchange: Review safe movements in the classroom and expectations for greetings (i.e., eye contact, friendly voice, handshake, etc.). Give each student a block (half should be one color and the other half another color). Give a signal for students to begin greeting those who have a different color block. When a greeting is complete, the two students exchange blocks. The process continues with students looking for someone with a different color block. After about 2 minutes, give a signal for the greeting activity to end.

We had such a great time at the Greenburgh Nature Center!

Here is a video of our Earth Day Play. The kids did an awesome job!

empathy
noun em·pa·thy \ˈem-pə-thē\
: the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions : the ability to share someone else’s feelings

Below is the symbol for empathy. It shows that the world is interconnected. We are all connected and need to understand other people. It is important that we help each other learn to have empathy — to “walk two moons in someone else’s moccasins.”

In the book, Stand In My Shoes, Emily asks her big sister what the word empathy means, Emily has no idea that knowing the answer will change how she looks at people. But does it really matter to others if Emily notices how they’re feeling? Stand in My Shoes shows kids how easy it is to develop empathy toward those around them. Empathy is the ability to notice what other people feel. Empathy leads to the social skills and personal relationships which make our lives rich and beautiful, and it is something we can help our children learn. This book teaches young children the value of noticing how other people feel. Listen as the book, Stand in My Shoes by Bob Sornson is read.

Read: Arthur and the Baby

It is important that when things don’t go the way we expected we are able to adjust to the changes. Being flexible is a good quality to have as an adult and a child in various situations. In “Arthur and the Baby” Arthur is worried his new sibling will change everything and he isn’t sure he likes that idea. However, when the baby arrives Arthur realizes changes aren’t so bad after all.

Listen to the story here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlm7cBT0jZE

For the past nine years, the Washington Post sponsors a contest for its readers. Readers create a diorama of a famous scene in history or in current events. The one rule is that all the characters in the diorama must be played by Peeps (chicks or bunnies).

This year William O. Schaefer will be having their very own contest!

Go to Ms.Eyer’s blog to learn more about the contest!

Good Luck Peeps!

Read:Try and Stick with by Cheri J. Meiners.

It is very difficult to try new things for adults and children. It is even harder to stick with it when it is not going the way you wanted. Persistence is a very important quality to have in order to be successful. This book introduces children to the benefits of trying something new and the basics of sticking-to-it. It includes suggestions adults can use to reinforce the ideas and skills being taught.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dVysq2dEbg

Watch as Jen Bricker overcomes a birth defect to become a wonder athlete. The word can’t is not in her vocabulary. She overcame many obstacles and through her perseverance she was able to accomplish her goals. Watch the video to find out more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKOj-YmO_fM

a href=”https://blogs.socsd.org/woslmc/files/2015/02/enemy-pie-to7q01.jpg”>Read: Enemy Pie by by Derek Munson

One boy’s perfect summer seems to be ruined when his worst enemy, Jeremy Ross, moves in down the block. Fortunately, though, Dad has a recipe for enemy pie. But it seems that the pie will only be effective if the recipient is treated kindly before eating it. Reluctantly, the boy agrees to spend time with Jeremy.

It might not be Enemy Pie or like your grandma’s apple pie, but these factories go through quite the process and add their own magic touch for a melt in your mouth taste. Watch the video below to see how this factory produces mini apple pies.

People say they don’t have time to be kind. Watch the video below to see how to stop and remind others that kindness only takes a moment! Kindness blossoms…

Read: I Like Your Buttons by by Sarah Marwil Lamstein, illustrated by Nancy Cote

When Cassandra compliments her teacher, she starts good feelings flying throughout the school, out onto the playground, and all around the neighborhood.
Pay It Forward!

Watch a clip from the movie “Pay It Forward.”

Create a paper chain by giving students a paper link every time they preform an “Act Of Kindness.” Challenge the students to create a kindness chain the length of the playground.Collect weekly data and make predictions by measuring the length of the kindness chain. Count the links of the kindness chain, by ones, twos, tens or hundreds! Can your students create a kindness chain longer than the one shown in the video below….5925 links to be exact!

Take a few minutes to check out the non fiction videos below. There are some cool facts that will SHOCK and AMAZE you! Choose one fact that has really fascinated you and post it below.