The Kindness Project increases students' enthusiasm, motivation and skills to be more kind to classmates, creating a more positive school climate.
The residency begins with Cyd singing songs about friendship and fairness, and students reflecting on the meaning of the songs to their own lives. Next, each class listens to their teacher read The Kindness Quilt, by award winning children’s author and illustrator Nancy Elizabeth Wallace. They then create a paper quilt – a colorful collection of each child’s drawing of one of his/her own acts of kindness. Working with Cyd, students share ideas to collaborate and create their own class kindness song. The children's excitement and pride is evident as they sing and record the fruits of their creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Throughout the residency, students are developing grade level writing, listening and speaking skills, as defined by the National Core Curriculum Standards for English Language Arts.
Follow up: Students sing along with the CD of their songs. This is a joyful way to reinforce the themes of the residency. As a 2nd grader from Walsh Elementary wrote to Cyd: “We practice our song and we can be kind.”
The residency begins with Cyd singing songs about friendship and fairness, and students reflecting on the meaning of the songs to their own lives. Next, each class listens to their teacher read The Kindness Quilt, by award winning children’s author and illustrator Nancy Elizabeth Wallace. They then create a paper quilt – a colorful collection of each child’s drawing of one of his/her own acts of kindness. Working with Cyd, students share ideas to collaborate and create their own class kindness song. The children's excitement and pride is evident as they sing and record the fruits of their creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Throughout the residency, students are developing grade level writing, listening and speaking skills, as defined by the National Core Curriculum Standards for English Language Arts.
Follow up: Students sing along with the CD of their songs. This is a joyful way to reinforce the themes of the residency. As a 2nd grader from Walsh Elementary wrote to Cyd: “We practice our song and we can be kind.”
Testimonials by Adults
“I have noticed that after The Kindness Project some students are more aware of their actions towards each other, along with the effect they have on others. They are so eager to help each other every chance they get.
We've sung their song pretty often, and I reference it ALL the time! For example, recently a student was hurt by another student's not so nice words. I asked them what could we do to help them out? I had them look back to the song and asked "When someone say's you're ugly, we say????" Students were quick to respond with "you're beautiful!" This Kindness Project has significantly reinforced the work that I've done with my students on mutual respect and caring.”
- Jenna DaVino, 2nd grade teacher, Walsh Elementary, Waterbury, CT
“The Kindness Project was a wonderful way to get our students thinking about the effect they can have on each other... It was really nice seeing them come up with their own simple acts they could perform daily that would help someone else.
Students especially loved writing lyrics to their own songs. Our second grade was so excited to present their kindness songs to the first graders.”
- Teachers, 2nd grade Walsh Elementary, Waterbury, CT
Testimonials by Students
“Our song is on top of the door. We did good. I love it. We made a good team.”
“My friend well she's not my friend yet. She fell. I helped her up and she smiled and she asked me to be her friend. Then I said yes and finally we hugged.”
- 2nd grade students, Walsh Elementary, Waterbury, CT
“I have noticed that after The Kindness Project some students are more aware of their actions towards each other, along with the effect they have on others. They are so eager to help each other every chance they get.
We've sung their song pretty often, and I reference it ALL the time! For example, recently a student was hurt by another student's not so nice words. I asked them what could we do to help them out? I had them look back to the song and asked "When someone say's you're ugly, we say????" Students were quick to respond with "you're beautiful!" This Kindness Project has significantly reinforced the work that I've done with my students on mutual respect and caring.”
- Jenna DaVino, 2nd grade teacher, Walsh Elementary, Waterbury, CT
“The Kindness Project was a wonderful way to get our students thinking about the effect they can have on each other... It was really nice seeing them come up with their own simple acts they could perform daily that would help someone else.
Students especially loved writing lyrics to their own songs. Our second grade was so excited to present their kindness songs to the first graders.”
- Teachers, 2nd grade Walsh Elementary, Waterbury, CT
Testimonials by Students
“Our song is on top of the door. We did good. I love it. We made a good team.”
“My friend well she's not my friend yet. She fell. I helped her up and she smiled and she asked me to be her friend. Then I said yes and finally we hugged.”
- 2nd grade students, Walsh Elementary, Waterbury, CT