Learning objective
- To give through an act of kindness.
Success criteria
- I can explain how a person contributes to the community.
- I can create three pledges of kindness.
- I can act on my pledge of kindness.
Statutory guidance
Respectful relationships
Pupils should know:
- That in school and in wider society they can expect to be treated with respect by others, and that in turn they should show due respect to others, including those in positions of authority.
Cross-curricular links
PSHE
- PSHE Association’s Programme of Study for PSHE Education.
British values
- Respect.
See Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools (non-statutory advice).
Before the lesson
- Presentation: Bingo – key vocabulary.
- Presentation: Who contributes to our school community?
- Scrap paper (one for each child).
This lesson has been developed for teachers, in order to celebrate RSE Day on 29th June 2023.
This year, Kapow Primary are contributors to this event.
The theme for RSE Day this year is ‘Let’s launch into kindness’ and this lesson for Year 4 children focuses on appreciating others, showing gratitude, and understanding how different people support us in positive ways.
For further information please visit the following link:
- RSE Day – this is an external link and we do not have control over its content.
Lesson plan
1: Recap and recall
This lesson builds on knowledge and concepts introduced in this lesson:
- Wellbeing, Year 3, Give, Lesson 4: Appreciation.
Bingo – key vocabulary
Provide each child with a whiteboard and a pen and ask the children to create a bingo board on their whiteboard drawing one line horizontally and two lines vertically, creating six squares. Display slide 1 of the Presentation: Bingo! Ask the children to look at the key words from the list and choose six words, placing one in each of the boxes on their whiteboards.
Explain that the clues for the definitions of each key word will be read out (not in order). Provide the children with 20 seconds of thinking time and then allow them to decide whether they have a key word word written down that matches the clue. If they think it is a match, they need to cross the key word out on their bingo board. Remind the children not to rub out answers.
Once all of their key words have been struck through, the child must call ‘Bingo!’ Check the words and the definitions by displaying them on slide 2 of the presentation. Ask the other children to check the definitions that they have too, referring to any misconceptions.
Words and definitions:
- appreciate – to recognise the full worth of someone or something.
- kindness – the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.
- give – to offer or provide something.
- volunteer – offering time or help to others without payment.
- support – providing help or encouragement to someone or something.
- manners – being polite and respectful.
- gift – a thing given willingly to someone without payment.
- gratitude – the quality of being thankful and a readiness to show appreciation.
- donation – something that is given to those in need.
- generous – being willing to give, share or help without expecting anything in return.
Presentation- Bingo - key vocabulary
2: Attention grabber
Ask the children to discuss in partners what communities they belong to that help look after them.
Display the Presentation: Who contributes to our school community? Discuss the different images in pairs and then ask for feedback. Create a class mind map on a whiteboard or flip chart paper of anyone who contributes to the school community. Include any information about their roles and their positive impact on children, parents or staff at the school. (Examples could include: teachers, teaching assistants, school crossing patrols, cleaners, site managers, chefs, after school clubs, lunchtime assistants, outdoor helpers, volunteers etc).
Emphasise that at school there are many people who help us and contribute to making our school a great place for everyone to feel safe, have fun, and learn.
Presentation: Who contributes to our school community?
Question
- How do people make our school community a better place? (Answers may include: help us to learn; support us with mental health or wellbeing; make amendments to the school; cook dinners; ensure we can learn in a safe, clean environment; plan learning; listen to us read; plan events.)
3: Main event
Ensure the class are sitting in table groups. Hand out the Activity: Our community star contributions (one per group) and ask the children to write down who they feel contribute to the school community. Invite the children to feedback their ideas to the class.
Explain to the children that they will now choose one of their community stars and write a pledge letter to them.
Display the Activity: Pledge letter template to the class and explain the task to the children:
- The letter’s purpose being to inform a person you are thankful for their impact on the school community.
- Reasons they appreciate this person.
- Three ways they would like to show their appreciation. (Examples may include: volunteering; saying thank you or writing a thank you note; helping.)
Ask the children to discuss in groups how they can give their time and effort to contribute to this person and note ideas down.
Hand out the Activity: Pledge letter template (one each).
4: Wrapping up
Allow the children to share some of their pledge letters with the class.
Ensure that the letters are passed on to community stars.
Agree a response time from community stars in order to allow the children to act on their pledges.
Questions
- What act of kindness have you pledged?
- How do you think the community stars will feel, having received your pledge letter? (Examples may include: surprised, proud, pleased.)
- How will you feel when you act on your pledge?
5: During the week
After the children have completed their pledge and act of appreciation, ask the children how it felt to give their time and support to another community member.
Children could create a pledge letter for someone at home they are thankful for.
Further resources:
Books
- “Kindness is my superpower,” by Alicia Ortego.
- “Earth heroes,” by Lily Dyu and Amy Blackwell.
Links
- Mental Health Foundation – Mental health kindness matters guide.
This is an external website and we do not have control over its content – it has been selected for the teacher only and is not intended to be shown to pupils.
Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing support:
Could give the Resource: Sentence starters aids (support) to help write their letters.
Pupils working at greater depth:
Should write how their chosen person has made a positive impact on their school community and provide multiple examples of their contributions.
Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding indicated by:
Discussing how a person contributes to their school community and explaining how they will show their appreciation.
Pupils working at greater depth indicated by:
Explaining why a chosen individual is an integral member of their school community and how they impact the lives of themselves and others.
Vocabulary definitions
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appreciate
To recognise the full worth of someone or something.
-
community
A group of people living or sharing in the same place.
-
contribute
To give in order to help, provide or support someone or something.
-
give
To transfer something of yours to someone.
-
kindness
The quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.
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pledge
A promise or commitment to a person or group.
In this unit
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 5th May, 2023
