Make Kindness Contagious!

Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous or considerate. And unfortunately, our big world needs so much more kindness. As we look across the classroom, the hallway, the cafeteria and the playground...we see children, the future; who (if we teach them now) can help put kindness back into our world. They are our answer. They are our hope. If we want more kindness in our world, our children must be taught how to put it there. And as teachers we must seize this opportunity to show, to teach and to foster kindness. I know what you're thinking, there is just no time. True. But we must take the time. Let's face it, classrooms are one of the busiest places on earth. Teachers want to teach kindness, but finding the time and making it priority is difficult.

So, how can it be done?

#1: BE A TEACHER LEADING BY EXAMPLE. I just love this shirt by The Wright Chics. I could not help but order one for school to wear! I wear it often.

There are opportunities all over the place where we teachers can be examples of how to show kindness! Many times it is in passing, while students are traveling to and from the classroom. Saying good morning, holding a door, giving a smile, asking if you can help carry a box. My good friend Elaine, who I have taught with for many years; is a master kindness 'do-er! It amazes me how she involves the kids and quickly whips up something like a bouquet of "fresh flowers" for a very important someone in the school's front office. She lines the kids up and they make a quick trip to deliver. Can that be any more of an example of kindness? The students are being led by her example. Teachable moment, indeed!

#2: BE A CLASS LEADING BY EXAMPLE.  I loved creating this classroom kindness bulletin board  this year! It is covered with real, tried and true ways to show kindness. These ways can be generated as a class and then hung for others to try! Challenge students to do at least one each day and see what happens! Kindness is surely contagious.

#3: BE A STUDENT LEADING BY EXAMPLE. This little sheet is reminiscent of those old homemade advertisings that we'd make and hang on our local college board to sell a book or offer a tutoring service. Students can think of examples of kindness that can be done at home and write them in the spaces provide. Then simply cut and take home to hang.

Click to download for free.

Here are 10 teacher ideas that can spread kindness at school:

1.   Bring a cup of coffee to someone.

2.   Buy special soap or lotion for the staff bathroom.

3.   Smile at every person you pass in the school hallway today.

4.   Write a note to someone whose hard work may go unnoticed.

5.   Donate handsanitzer and tissues to the art or music teacher.

6.   Have a garden? Bring a flower and leave it on someone's desk.

7.   Compliment someone - tell them what you like best about him or her.

8.   Offer your parking space to someone who needs it.

9.   Bring extra forks or spoons to the teachers lounge.

10. Decorate a teachers desk ...leave a little sparkle!

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