
6th Grade Unit Introduction Sub-Concepts Covered: Vulnerability, Humility, Kindness Kindness in the Classroom lessons teach kindness skills through a step-by step framework of Inspire, Empower, Act, Reflect and Share. Each lesson starts with the ‘share’ step to reinforce learning from previous lessons. The ‘act’ piece is woven into the lessons but really takes place in the projects. You have arrived at the 6th and final concept of the year! As you wrap up sixth grade and prepare to send your students out into the world for a much deserved break, your class will explore the concept of courage and how it connects to humility, vulnerability and ultimately kindness. For many students this will be a completely foreign or unexpected connection. Our society does not present these concepts together as a cohesive unit. However, if one wants to truly live with kindness at the center of their core, they will need courage to do so! Unit Objective Students will: ● Gain a deeper understanding of the kindness and courage required to embrace humility in a variety of situations. ● Examine what courage looks like within their own lives and how to incorporate a variety of courageous moments moving forward. ● Draw connections between vulnerability and courage. Student Introduction Courage- we often think of this word and relate it to strength and honor. However, it takes courage to be kind, even in the face of hatred. It takes courage to build others up without looking for any reward on your part. It takes courage to admit areas that might need attention, and be willing to work on them. Vulnerability and humility are often touted as detrimental traits. This unit will challenge that thinking! This unit will challenge that thinking! We will focus on the following: ● The Courage to Be Kind ● Embrace Humility ● Vulnerability as a sign of Courage © The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. All Rights Reserved. www.randomactsofkindness.org Page 1 Unit Lessons Main Lesson Title Weekly Objectives Main Lesson Materials Mini Lessons Lesson 1 ● Explore the connection ❏ Projector or SmartBoard to Small Group-Courage to Me Have You Ever? between courage and show pictures to class (can vulnerability. also print them out if utilizing Partner- Celebrate Courageous ● Examine what courage looks technology is not possible) Moments like within their own lives and how to incorporate a variety of Individual- Overcoming Fears courageous moments moving forward. Technology Focus- Cyberbullying Red Flags Lesson 2 ● Practice using courage to ❏ Index cards Small Group- In the Middle One of a Kind embrace differences among ❏ 3-5 Ink pads peers. ❏ Writing utensils Partner- Did You Know? ● Apply courageousness to a ❏ 3-5 Magnifying glasses variety of situations in group (optional) Individual- This is Me! and individual settings. Technology Focus- Online Vulnerability T-Chart Lesson 3 ● Gain a deeper understanding ❏ Poster board Small Group- Humble Acts Class Humility of the kindness and courage ❏ Sharpies required to embrace humility in Partner- Humility Bingo a variety of situations. ● Practice using courage and Individual- Humble Observations humility at school and at home. Technology Focus- Humble Challenge Lesson 4 ● Explore the connection ❏ Index Cards Small Group- Kindness Attributes Build Me Up! between courage and ❏ Pencils kindness. Partner- Kindness Contract ● Practice using courage and kindness at school and at Individual- Self-Talk Cards home. Technology Focus- Words Have Power © The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. All Rights Reserved. www.randomactsofkindness.org Page 2 Unit Project Project Title Project Overview Materials Required Random Acts of In groups, students will work ❏ Basic art supplies Kindness Photo together to complete random acts ❏ Poster boards for each group Collage of kindness via a scavenger hunt, ❏ Magazines documenting their adventures in a ❏ 1 smartphone or camera for each group (optional; you can use photo collage. Twist- no faces magazines to illustrate RAKs if there are media restrictions) allowed! ❏ Tape/Tacks to hang finished photo collages © The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. All Rights Reserved. www.randomactsofkindness.org Page 3 6th Grade • Week 1 Courage Sub-Concepts Vulnerability, Kindness Courage This is the first week of our Courage unit. Students will focus on courage and how it connects to the sub-concept of vulnerability when we take risks. Begin the unit with the whole class lesson and then aim to complete at least two of the mini lessons with your students throughout the week. Each mini lesson is designed to present elements of the main lesson in new and engaging ways. Main Lesson Whole Class Lesson Have You Ever? 30 minutes Students will be introduced to the concepts of courage and vulnerability and explore how their past acts of courage also included a level of vulnerability. (See page 2 for lesson details.) Mini Lessons For Small Groups Courage To Me 15 minutes Divide the class into groups of 4-6. Have each student bring in something that represents courage to them personally. Each student will share what they brought and explain why they chose it. For Partners Celebrate Courageous Moments 15 minutes Divide into pairs. What is the most courageous thing you've ever done? Share one courageous moment with your partner! Why was it so hard? How did you press through? For Individuals Overcoming Fears 15 minutes Choose something that scares you...what’s the first step towards overcoming it? Write your fearless goal on one side of an index card and the first step towards overcoming it on the back. Read it aloud daily this week! Technology-Focused Cyberbullying Red Flags 15 minutes Explain the concept of cyberbullying to the class and how it takes courage to stand up to bullies, even in an online setting. Divide the class into pairs and have them identify 5-10 red flags that indicate cyberbullying might be occurring. Share the lists with the group as time allows. Brainstorm ways to combat cyberbullying when it’s suspected. (Stop, block, report to an adult, etc.) © The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. All Rights Reserved. www.randomactsofkindness.org Page 1 6th Grade Whole Group Lesson Have You Ever? Students will be introduced to the concepts of courage and vulnerability and explore how their past acts of courage also included a level of vulnerability. Lesson Timeframe Lesson Objective 30 minutes Students will: Required Materials ❏ Projector or SmartBoard to show ● Explore the connection between courage and vulnerability. pictures to class (can also print them ● Examine what courage looks like within their own lives and how to out if utilizing technology is not incorporate a variety of courageous moments moving forward. possible) Standards Map Teacher Connection/Self-Care This lesson aligns with CASEL Competencies, National Health Welcome to the Courage Unit, the last unit of the year! Great job working Education Standards, International through this curriculum with your students! Think about everything they have Society for Technology in Education learned and all of the ways you have seen them demonstrate respect, caring, Standards, when applicable, and inclusiveness, integrity, and responsibility throughout the year. Now you get to Common Core State Standards. Please show them what courage and kindness look like. What a powerful refer to the Standards Map for more combination! We might not naturally think about courage and kindness information. together, but in reality, kindness is the ultimate form of courage. It is the courage to be kind to ourselves and to others (especially if we don’t feel like it). Do you need a shot of courage at this point in the year? Is it getting harder to be kind and patient? Do you have added pressure to get everything finished by year’s end? Would it be easier to simply coast through May and into June? Maybe. But, be strong and have courage; you will make it and so will your students. Walk bravely into the final weeks; pour an extra measure of kindness out to your students, especially the ones who have really hung in there all year long. They need your strength now more than ever. Be extra kind to yourself, too. You made it. You are doing it. Another year is nearly in the books and you are so much better for it. Think about all you have done, learned, and experienced. Take note of how it has changed your teaching approaches and mindset. How are you a better teacher today than you were at the start of the year? There is no one more courageous in your classroom than you. Embrace it and move bravely, kindly onward! Share 3-4 minutes We have arrived at our final unit of the year, Courage! What comes to mind when you think of this word? (Invite student responses.) © The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. All Rights Reserved. www.randomactsofkindness.org Page 2 Inspire 4-6 minutes We often think of courage in terms of strength, bravery, and fearlessness. Being brave and standing up for what you believe in definitely shows courage. But there are other ways we can be courageous. Courage is being willing to try new things, to stand up for yourself and for others, and to do the right thing even if others pressure you to do the wrong thing. Sometimes this also means we must be the “odd man out”, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable by being different. Vulnerability is showing the world as who you are and trying something even if the outcome is uncertain. This means that you are willing to take the risk that others might react negatively based on your decisions, but that you are courageous enough to stick to your choice regardless. Think about a time when you tried something new or were the first person in the group to volunteer before you knew all the details.
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