Students from the Future Teachers of America program at Connetquot High School led an inspiring lesson on kindness for first and second graders at Cherokee Street Elementary.

The lesson began with a reading of “How Full Is Your Bucket?”  by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer. In the story, Felix, the main character, learns that every interaction he has throughout the day either fills or empties his “bucket.” As Felix discovers, positive actions not only make others feel good, but they also f his own bucket with happiness. The story served as the perfect foundation for a discussion on how small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect.

Following the reading, the first and second graders participated in an interactive “bucket-filling” activity. Each student was given a cup, and as they complimented one another or shared kind words, they added a pompom into another student’s cup. By the end of the activity, the cups were filled with colorful pompoms, visually representing the positive impact kindness can have.

The students then completed a reflection worksheet that asked questions such as, “What was the nicest thing someone said to you?” and “How can you fill someone’s bucket outside of school?” This reflective exercise encouraged the students to think about the importance of kindness not just in school but in their everyday lives.

Click here to view the CHS Future Teachers of America share the power of kindness with Cherokee Street slideshow.

Date Added: 12/9/2024