Learning intention

  • 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.

Curriculum links

This scheme of work is based on the NHS – 5 steps to mental wellbeing.

Before the lesson

Watch
Watch
Activity: Our community star contributions.
Activity: Pledge letter template.
Resource: Sentence starters and keywords (support - see Differentiation).

Lesson plan

1: Recap and recall

This lesson builds on knowledge and concepts introduced in this lesson:

Provide each child with a whiteboard and a pen, and ask them to create a bingo board on their whiteboard by drawing one horizontal line and two vertical lines, creating six squares. Show the Presentation: Key vocabulary bingo. Ask the children to look at the 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 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 word written down that matches the clue. If they think it is a match, they need to cross the 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: Key vocabulary bingo

2: Attention grabber

Ask learners to discuss in partners what communities they belong to that help look after them.

Show the Presentation: Who contributes to our school community?

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 the positive impact they have 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, many people help us and contribute to making our school a great place for everyone to feel safe, have fun, and learn.

Ask:

  • 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.)

Take feedback.

3: Main event

1. Hand out the Activity: Our community star contributions (one per group) and ask learners to write down who they feel contributes to the school community. Invite the children to feed back their ideas to the class.

2. Explain to the children that they will now choose one of their community stars and write a pledge letter to them.

3. Show 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.)

4. Ask learners to discuss in groups how they can give their time and effort to contribute to this person, and note down ideas.

5. Hand out the Activity: Pledge letter template.

4: Wrapping up

Allow learners to share some of their pledge letters with the class.

Ensure that the letters are passed on to community stars.

Agree on a response time from community stars in order to allow learners to act on their pledges.

Ask:

  • 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? 

Take feedback.

Differentiation

Learners needing support:

  • Could give the Resource: Sentence starters aids (support) to help write their letters.

Learners working at a stretch:

  • 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

Learners with secure understanding can:

  • Discuss how a person contributes to their school community and explain how they will show their appreciation.

Learners working at a stretch indicated can: 

  • Explain why a chosen individual is an integral member of their school community and how they impact the lives of themselves and others.

Vocabulary definitions

  • 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.

  • pledge

    A promise or commitment to a person or group.

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