Kindness and Goodness

Overview

This 45-minute lesson is designed for Year 1 students (ages 5-6) to explore the concepts of ‘good’ and kindness through two simple, engaging religious stories: The Good Samaritan (Christianity) and The Crying Camel (Islam). The Story of Rebecca (Judaism) is also introduced through a short narrative and visuals. This lesson meets the Early Key Stage 1 Religious Education objectives outlined in the National Curriculum for England.

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National Curriculum Links

• Religious Education (Early Key Stage 1) (Religious Education is not statutory nationally but many Local Authorities follow agreed syllabi based on the framework below)
• Understanding of teachings and stories from Christianity, Islam, and Judaism: “Pupils should be introduced to some stories which exemplify behaviour and values such as kindness and goodness.”
• Develop awareness of key concepts such as kindness and being ‘good’ through narrative and discussion.
• Encourage reflection on how stories impact behaviour and personal values.

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Learning Objectives

• Main: Can explore the idea of ‘good’ and kindness through at least two religious stories.
• Specific:
  • Identify kind actions in The Good Samaritan and The Crying Camel.
  • Retell simple elements from the Story of Rebecca, highlighting kindness.
  • Express why kindness is important in everyday life.

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Resources

• Illustrated storybooks or printouts of:
  • The Good Samaritan (Christianity)
  • The Crying Camel (Islam)
  • The Story of Rebecca (Judaism, simplified version)
• Large printed images from each story
• Paper, crayons, and kindness cut-out hearts
• “Kindness tree” poster for classroom display
• Audio-recording device (optional) for assessment reflections

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Gather children on the carpet.
• Briefly introduce the concept of being ‘good’ and ‘kind’ using simple language: “Being kind means helping others and making good choices.”
• Explain that today, they will hear some special stories from three religions about kindness.

2. Story 1: The Good Samaritan (10 minutes)

• Read the story using the illustrated book or printed visuals.
• Pause to ask comprehension questions: “Who was kind in this story?” “What did they do to show kindness?”
• Highlight: The Samaritan helped someone even though they were a stranger.

3. Story 2: The Crying Camel (10 minutes)

• Read or tell the story of The Crying Camel, focusing on kindness and helping others in need.
• Discussion: “How did the kind person help the camel?” “Why is it important to help others?”

4. Story 3: The Story of Rebecca (5 minutes)

• Show pictures and use a simplified oral narrative to introduce Rebecca (from the Torah).
• Focus on her kindness and hospitality.
• Ask: “What good things did Rebecca do?”

5. Creative Activity: Kindness Hearts (10 minutes)

• Children draw or colour a cut-out heart.
• On each heart, either write a word (with adult help) or draw a picture representing kindness or a good deed inspired by the stories.
• Children share their hearts briefly with a partner or the class.
• Add their kindness hearts to the classroom “Kindness Tree” poster for a visual reminder.

6. Reflection and Assessment (5 minutes)

• Gather children to sit together.
• Ask simple reflective questions: “Which story did you like best about being kind?” “How can you be kind at school or at home?”
• Optional: Record a few children’s responses to assess understanding verbally.
• Praise kindness and good thinking about how stories help us learn to care for others.

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Differentiation

• Support children with speech difficulties by encouraging picture responses or one-word answers.
• More able children can attempt to sequence story events or describe personal kindness acts in more detail.
• Use peer pairing to support understanding.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observing participation in discussions and reflection.
• Summative: Review kindness hearts for evidence of understanding of kindness and goodness concepts from stories.
• Optional audio reflections can provide evidence of oral comprehension aligned with the National Curriculum Communication goals.

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Additional Tips to Wow Your Class

• Introduce simple role-play: Act out The Good Samaritan story with children assigned roles.
• Invite children to teach their classmates another kindness story from home or culture if comfortable.
• Incorporate a ‘Kindness Jar’ in the classroom where children can add notes of kind things they did during the week, extending learning beyond the lesson.

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This lesson plan prioritises engaging students at their cognitive level, uses multi-modal storytelling, and encourages personal connection to religious values through active participation and reflection. This approach supports holistic development as encouraged by the National Curriculum’s holistic aims in Religious Education.