Choose Kindness

Curriculum Context

Curriculum Area: Health and Physical Education
Strand: Personal Health and Development
Level: Curriculum Level 2 (suitable for Year 3 students)
Key Area of Learning: Relationships with Other People

Students at this level are developing awareness of themselves and others, including expressing ideas and feelings, and recognising and demonstrating positive, respectful behaviour in a range of social settings.

Lesson Focus

Theme: Treating Others with Kindness
Lesson Duration: 10 minutes
Class Size: 30 Year 3 students
Learning Outcome:
Students will be able to identify what kindness looks like, sounds like, and feels like and practise showing kindness in a short role-play scenario.

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Learning Intentions

• I can explain what it means to be kind.
• I can recognise kind behaviour in others.
• I can practise showing kindness to others in our class.

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Success Criteria

Students will:

• Name at least one way to show kindness.
• Participate in a short role-play using kind actions or words.
• Reflect on how kindness makes people feel.

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Lesson Breakdown (10 Minutes)

⏱️ 1. Warm-Up / Karakia (1 min)

Begin with a short karakia to settle the class and establish a respectful space for learning:

Karakia Timatanga :
Whakataka te hau ki te uru
Whakataka te hau ki te tonga
Kia mākinakina ki uta
Kia mātaratara ki tai
E hī ake ana te atākura
He tio, he huka, he hau hū
Tihei mauri ora!

Tell students: “Today we’re learning about a superpower we all have — kindness!”

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⏱️ 2. Story Spark – "The Kind Kiwi" (2 min)

Read aloud a very short fictional scenario:

“Hemi the kiwi was walking through the school garden when he saw Moana drop her lunchbox. Some other birds laughed, but Hemi picked it up and gave it back with a smile. Moana smiled and said thank you. Later, Moana invited Hemi to play…”

Ask:

• How do you think Moana felt when Hemi helped?
• What did Hemi do that was kind?
• Why do you think kindness matters at school?

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⏱️ 3. “Kindness Snap” Game – Physical Activity (3 min)

Purpose: Get students moving while reinforcing kindness actions.

Instructions:

1. Say to students: “When I say a kind action, jump up and snap your fingers. If it’s not kind, stay sitting still.”
2. Call out examples such as:
   • Sharing my pencils ✅
   • Ignoring someone ➖
   • Saying “please” and “thank you” ✅
   • Laughing when someone falls ➖
   • Helping a friend who is sad ✅

Teacher tip: Use dramatic voice and varied pace to keep them engaged.

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⏱️ 4. Partner Role-Play – “Kind Moments” (3 min)

Split the children into pairs. Give them one of the following mini-scenarios (verbally or on small cards handed out):

Examples:

• “Your partner forgot their hat. What could you say or do?”
• “Your friend looks sad at playtime.”
• “You see someone drop their crayons.”

Students act it out using one kind word or action. Encourage different pairs to share briefly with the group.

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⏱️ 5. Reflection – “Kindness Feels Like…” (1 min)

On the mat, gather the class back together and ask:

“Close your eyes and take a big breath in. Think of a time someone was kind to you. How did it make you feel?”

Invite 3–4 students to share using this sentence structure:

“Kindness feels like __________ because __________.”

E.g.
“Kindness feels like sunshine because it makes me warm inside.”

End with:

“How will you show your kindness superpower today?”

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Assessment Opportunity

Observe verbal responses and participation in the role-play. Look for understanding of kind behaviours, empathy, and use of respectful language.

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Resources

• Teacher voice/story
• Simple visual prompt cards (optional)
• Open floor space for movement

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Culturally Responsive Practice & Mātauranga Māori

• Use a karakia to open and close learning in a respectful and tikanga-informed way.
• Include Māori names and characters in the story to reflect Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Emphasise manaakitanga – showing care and hospitality to others – as a value within Te Ao Māori that supports the message of kindness.

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Extension / Whānau Connection

🌟 Kindness Challenge:
Send home a “Kindness Card” students can decorate and give to someone in their whānau, practising kindness beyond the classroom.

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Teacher Reflection

• Did students understand and connect with the concept of kindness?
• Did every student feel safe and included in the role-play?
• Were the examples of kindness accessible and relevant for your tamariki?

Next step: Integrate kindness themes into classroom jobs and routines throughout the week.

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This short, energetic, and reflective lesson punches above its time limit — leaving a lasting emotional impact on young learners while squarely fitting within New Zealand Curriculum guidelines.