We often tell our students to be kind, but kindness is an essential character trait that needs to be taught, modeled, and practiced. This donut themed kindness lesson is a sweet way to teach and celebrate kindness in your classroom!
I love using picture books to teach important life skills and values in my classroom! Maria Dismondy has written an adorable story called "The Jelly Donut Difference" that is perfect for teaching kindness! It's a book about a twin brother and sister named Leah and Dexter who struggle to get along, but learn a powerful lesson about sharing and caring when they work together to spread kindness to their lonely neighbor, Ms. Marvis. One of the ways that they show kindness is by making some jelly donuts for her, a tradition that she used to do with her own kids. This book provides a powerful illustration of treating others they way that you want to be treated and how kindness changes everyone involved.
Before reading the book to your students show them the title and have them make a prediction about why it's called "The Jelly Donut Difference". Ask them how can jelly donuts make a difference? Read the story together and discuss the ways that Leah and Dexter showed kindness to Ms. Marvis. Ask your students how the twin's kindness made Ms. Marvis feel and how it changed Leah and Dexter too.
Have students brainstorm ways that they can show kindness to others. Then have your students write a way that they can be kind and make a difference on the "I can show kindness by" printable. You can download the printable for free under the shopping list on the right! Letting students use these Donut Party Pencils with Eraser Topper to do their writing makes it so much more fun! Students love fun pencils!
After they finish their writing students will then use the Mini Donut Sticker Scenes to create their own donut that will be displayed with their writing page.
These turn into an adorable bulletin board! Read more about our donut inspired "Kindness is Sweet" bulletin board by clicking here.
To finish this lesson, discuss how one of the ways that Leah and Dexter showed kindness to Ms. Marvis was by delivering jelly donuts to her. Tell your students that they will get to show kindness to someone too by delivering a donut lollipop to them! Have your students think of one person that they want to show kindness to. Have them use the donut thank you printable to write a thank you note to the person. You can download the printable for free under the shopping list on the right! They will attach a Donut Party Swirl Lollipop to the note with Clear Glue Dots and then put kindness into practice by delivering the note to them.
I love that we were able to personalize the lollipops, but having the words "Thank You!" printed onto the donut sticker that we attached to the lollipop!
This lesson was such a fun way for students learn about kindness and also practice showing kindness to others!