Task 3a: Lesson Plan
Date:
Age/Grade: Pre-K
Title: Understanding Empathy through “The Kindness Book” by Todd Parr
Connection to Children, Families & Community
- a) Central Focus:
The central focus of this lesson is to help children understand empathy and kindness through an interactive reading of “The Kindness Book” by Todd Parr. This will encourage them to foster a sense of community and appreciation for others: Task 3a: Lesson Plan. - b) Connection to Interests:
This lesson connects to children’s expressed interests in stories and characters. Many children show enthusiasm for animals and imaginative play, making the colorful and engaging illustrations of the book appealing. - c) Prior Knowledge:
Children will need a basic understanding of feelings and emotions, which they have developed through daily interactions. This prior knowledge will help them relate the story’s content to their personal experiences. - d) Cultural Assets:
The children come from diverse backgrounds, bringing unique cultural perspectives to the discussion. This lesson will allow them to share their experiences and feelings while enriching the conversation on empathy. - e) Connection to Family/Community:
The lesson will connect to children’s family experiences by encouraging them to share how their families demonstrate kindness. This sharing will help foster a caring community in the classroom.
Modifications & Support
Engagement:
To address specific learning needs, I will use simple props, such as emotion cards, to help children identify and express their feelings during the discussion. The lesson will involve hands-on participation, allowing children to engage with the story actively.
Learning Environment:
The physical environment will be arranged with a comfortable rug where children can sit in a circle. This setup promotes a safe and inviting space for sharing thoughts and feelings. The rug will serve as a central meeting point, fostering community.
Materials:
- Book: “The Kindness Book” by Todd Parr
- Emotion cards
- Large chart paper for a “Kindness Wall”
Language/Literacy
- a) Key Vocabulary:
- Kindness
- Friendship
- Caring
- Sharing
- Feelings
- b) Instructional Strategies:
I will use interactive discussions and role-playing scenarios to model the vocabulary. We will engage in think-pair-share activities, in these activities, I will encourage the children to express their thoughts and feelings. These expressions will also help in reinforcing language development.
Learning Standards/Objectives & Assessments
Learning Standards Associated with this Lesson:
- Social-Emotional Development: Recognize and express emotions.
- Language Development: Use language to communicate feelings.
- Literacy: Engage with a story and discuss its themes.
Goals/Objectives:
a) By the end of this lesson, the children will be able to demonstrate an understanding of kindness by identifying their feelings and those of others.
b) By the end of this lesson, the children will be able to identify at least three different acts of kindness and share a personal experience related to kindness.
Assessments
- Informal Assessment: I will observe the children’s participation during discussions and get to know their ability to identify emotions through role-play. By observing them, I will be able to gently guide them to ensure they fully grasp the concept of kindness.
- Formal Assessment Statement: I will make sure that the children will be able to name at least three acts of kindness and describe a kind act they have experienced. I will ask them to express these acts verbally in order to confirm their understanding and also to meet the lesson objectives.
Facilitating Student Engagement & Learning
Beginning: To start the lesson, I will gather the children in a circle and ask them, “What does kindness mean to you?” After they share a few thoughts, I will introduce the book “The Kindness Book” and explain that we will read it together and then explore how we can show kindness to everyone.
Middle: As we read the book, I will pause at key moments to ask questions like, “How can we show kindness to our friends?” and “What does it feel like when someone is kind to you?” This engagement with them will promote participation and critical thinking. I will then hold up emotion cards to help children visualize feelings, encouraging them to express their thoughts. After reading, we will engage in a brief sharing activity where children can talk about a time they showed or received kindness; this will help reinforce the lesson’s themes.
End: To wrap up, I will gather the children again, and they will share their thoughts. I will guide a discussion about what they learned regarding kindness. I will also give the children the opportunity to share their experiences, allowing for a reflective moment.
Finally, I will introduce the “Kindness Wall,” where children can later add drawings or notes about acts of kindness. The wall will create a visual representation of our classroom’s commitment to kindness.
General Assessment & Reflection
Overall, I believe this lesson effectively encourages students to engage with the concept of kindness through storytelling and interactive discussion. The simplicity of the lesson, combined with the use of emotion cards and verbal sharing, will keep children engaged and excited. By fostering a supportive environment, I hope to enhance learners’ understanding of kindness and empathy.
After the lesson, I will reflect on my facilitation skills and observe how well the children understood the concepts. This reflection will inform my future teaching practices, ensuring continued improvement in fostering an inclusive and caring classroom environment.
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Question 
Date:
Age/Grade: Pre-k
Title:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Connection to Children, Families & Community
- In 1-2 sentences state the central focus of this lesson.
- How is this lesson connected to children’s’ expressed interests and curiosity?
- What prior knowledge will children need and/or have that will strengthen their learning in this specific lesson?
- What personal/cultural assets do children possess that will strengthen their learning in this specific lesson?
- How will this lesson connect/extend to children’s’ family/community experiences?
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Modifications & Support
Engagement
a.) How will you modify this lesson to address children’s’ specific learning needs and ensure their active engagement in this specific lesson?
Technology Integration
a.) How and what forms of technology will be integrated into this specific lesson?
Learning Environment
a.) How will the physical environment reflect and support the learning goal of this specific lesson?
Materials
a.) List the materials you will use to support students’ learning of this specific lesson.
Language/Literacy
- What key vocabulary will children be introduced to that will support their learning in this specific lesson?
- Briefly describe/list instructional strategies that you will use to support children’s’ language/literacy development specific to this lesson?
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Task 3a: Lesson Plan
Learning Standards/Objectives & Assessments
Learning Standards Associated with this lesson (at least 3 standards)
Goals/objective for this specific lesson:
- Use Bloom’s Taxonomy to develop the goal/objective of this specific lesson
- Identify 1 (ONE) of the standards above and create a quantifiable objective/learning goal based on your chosen standard (i.e., “Children will be able to….”)
Assessments: What is your plan for assessing the outcome of this specific lesson’s goal/objective?
- Informal: (an evaluative procedure used to identify/ measure children’s knowledge and understanding. The informal assessment serves to help you plan for: instruction, instructional modifications, and instructional support strategies children may need throughout their learning experience in order to meet the learning goals/objectives of this lesson.)
- Formal Assessment Statement: (an evaluative procedure used to measure whether or not children met the specific goals/objective of this lesson. The language used to write your formal assessment is similar to the language used in your written objective.)
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Facilitating Student Engagement & Learning
(Descriptions of processes should be clear and detailed enough for ANYONE to follow along)
Beginning: (How will you introduce this lesson? How will you “hook” them into this lesson? Consider childrens’ prior knowledge, preconceptions, interests, curiosities, cultural-linguistic strengths, etc.)
Middle: (This is the “bulk” of the lesson. Consider how you will provide scaffolding, feedback, and make inter-disciplinary connections throughout the lesson)
End: (How will you “wrap” up this lesson? Consider re-orienting children to what they learned and/or what was accomplished during this lesson. Consider how you will prepare them for an extension of this lesson—if there is to be one.)
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General Assessment & Reflection
- Briefly describe in 1 (one) paragraph your overall thoughts about this specific lesson including thoughts on your facilitation, children’s’ engagement and learning outcomes?