This is a fun lesson that incorporates all of the thrill of intentional acts of kindness within a creative, art project. It’s guaranteed to put a smile on someone’s unsuspecting face!
I’ve been seeing these rocks everywhere in the community, including while on a walk with my own children. It made me smile to see kindness being spread in such an intentional way.
Here’s how I would teach it in the classroom:
- This would be a great follow-up activity to the launch and introduction of the Small Act Big Impact 21-Day Kindness Challenge! It would allow students to let the information percolate while turning their conscious attention to creating art.
- First, I would either provide students with round rocks or do a mini-lesson with the purpose of finding their perfect rocks using specified criteria (fit into the palms of their hands).
- Next, depending on the age of the students, I would pull students during playtime/free time to paint the rocks using a solid colour (acrylic paint will be most effective).
- Then, depending on the age of the students, you could brainstorm inspiring quotes, statements, or words that reflect kindness. Students would be responsible for choosing the quotes they wish to use on their rocks.
- Once the rocks have dried, I would pull the students again to write their special message (s) on their rocks using black sharpie pens.
- For added durability, you could easily use lacquer or varnish as a top coat.
- As a class, you could find ideal spots to place the rocks or ask them to bring the rocks home to find good places within their communities to place them.
- Enjoy! Don’t forget to comment below or on my Facebook page to let me know how it went! Share any tweaks you made to improve upon the lesson!
Check out the free lesson I found off of Teachers-Pay-Teachers. Just click on the image for the full download at no cost to you!
I love how she gives her students a choice to complete the activity with their families at home. She also includes a little tag that explains the activity and purpose.
Leave a comment below to share how you used and adapted this lesson for your classroom! I always get inspired by people’s stories and the things they do. You might just inspire someone today!
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Feel free to check out the rest of my website for my blog, additional tangible challenge ideas, journal template, videos-links, bios to cool people who influenced the challenge with their ideas, and the science behind the SABI challenge (peer-reviewed journal articles linked).
Morgane Michael 