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.