Social awareness is the ability to understand things from other people’s point of view and feel empathy for others. It is also the ability to show respect for others and appreciate and embrace diversity. In the story Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller, a young girl ponders the meaning of kindness when a classmate spills juice and everyone laughs. She gives several examples of small and big ways that we can be kind to one another, and how little acts of kindness can go a long way. For this activity, students will complete a 3 cell storyboard that illustrates an act of kindness.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a 3 cell storyboard that illustrates an act of kindness.
Student Instructions
Start a classroom kindness chart to motivate students to notice and record kind actions each day. Visible reminders help reinforce positive behaviors and create a supportive environment where students feel proud to contribute.
Let students know that the chart is a way to celebrate kindness and remind everyone how their actions matter. Setting clear expectations ensures students understand why kindness is important and how it helps their classroom community.
Demonstrate by noticing a small kind act—like someone sharing supplies—and writing it on the chart. Use specific examples so students know exactly what to look for and how to record it themselves.
Encourage everyone to spot and document kind acts by classmates. Make it a routine—perhaps at the end of each day—so students look forward to sharing positive moments.
Review the chart as a class and celebrate the caring actions students showed. Reflection builds empathy and helps students see the impact of their kindness on others.
A 3 cell storyboard is an easy activity where students illustrate and describe acts of kindness inspired by picture books like Be Kind. This helps students reflect on empathy and positive actions in a creative way.
Read Be Kind aloud, discuss the story’s examples of kindness, and have students create a storyboard showing their own acts of kindness. This encourages empathy and respect for others’ perspectives.
Great options include The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, First Come the Zebra by Lynne Barasch, I Am Henry Finch by Alexis Deacon, and Windows by Julia Denos.
Have students choose an act of kindness, then draw and describe it in three scenes. Encourage them to use clear descriptions, expressive characters, and relevant settings for each cell.
Building social awareness at this age helps students understand diverse perspectives, develop empathy, and create a positive, respectful classroom environment.