Caring in Action

Ideas for Educators & Students

We know some of the behaviors that demonstrate caring—being kind, compassionate, expressing gratitude, forgiving others, and helping people in need. But how do we teach students to put these behaviors into action?

Here are some ideas that educators are using with their students. 

Student Compliments
In fifth grade, sometimes students are more interested in being mean to or teasing each other than in treating people respectfully. To help promote looking for the good in each other, we do 'put-ups' at least once a week. We thank individuals for nice things that they've done for us and for others. Around the holidays [or at the end of the year] we have the students write compliments for everyone in our class. Those compliments are compiled into a full-page sheet, mounted on a decorated border, and given to the students for a holiday [or end of year] present. We've had many parents say that their students keep their gift on the bulletin board at home and are encouraged to refer to it when things aren't going so well. I love to see their reactions as they read it for the first time.

—Jan Kardatzke, fifth grade teacher, Broomfield, Colorado

Greeting with a Smile
As I personally greet each student at the classroom door, I tell students I am happy to see them and place a small smiley face sticker on them, indicating that they are my students. I found this little greeting and recognition helps break the ice the first day of school. I also have requests for stickers from former students as they pass my door. Perhaps I have started a tradition among my students. This opening day gesture costs less than a dollar and is a good investment for me and my students.

—Linda C. Garrett, business teacher, Trussville, Alabama (from NEA Works4Me)

Survival Kits (During Back to School)
When students arrive for class, I have a brown lunch bag on each desk. In each bag is a toothpick, rubber band, Band-aid, mint, chocolate kiss, pencil, eraser, piece of chewing gum and a tea bag. These are the students' Survival Kits for everyday living. The toothpick is to remind them to pick out the good quality in others. The rubber band is to remind them to be flexible, as things may not always go as they want. The Band-aid is to remind them to mend hurt feelings. The pencil is to list their blessings and the eraser is to remind them that everyone makes mistakes but that it's okay. The chewing gum is to remind them to stick with it and they can accomplish anything. The mint reminds them that they are worth a mint and the kiss reminds them that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday. The tea bag is to relax daily and reflect on the positive things in their lives. This activity opens up the class for discussions on class rules and respect on the first day.

—Virginia Easterling, eighth grade teacher, Bayou La Batre, Alabama (from NEA Works4Me)

Motivate a Student
Always approach the day with a positive attitude and always find something to help motivate a student and you will see a better kid.

—Arthur L.Goff, educational support professional, special education, NEA Director At Large, Kennesaw, Georgia

Sharing with Soldiers and Sailors
Just before the holidays, I had my students collect and mail out generic 'Happy Holiday' cards to soldiers in the Navy and Army. They signed and wrote a note in the cards but no personal information was given. We then sent a package of cards to 'Any Soldier' for the soldier to share with hisor her friends. We found the mailing addresses for all the Naval Fleet on their official Web site, http://www.navy.mil.

Some of my kids wanted to send more cards so I took the cards to our local VA hospital for the staff to distribute. The staff was thrilled beyond belief that a group of high school kids were so considerate and caring. We used the school mailing address as our return address and have already received several letters from the sailors. This is a project that can be done at any time of the year, even for no 'holiday' reason. It's a great feeling to pass on good cheer to those who protect our freedom. Write to:

Any Soldier -- Germany
Eco 51st Inf (LRS) (ABN)
CMR 440
Apo AE 09175

—Christy Goodney, U.S. history teacher, Dripping Springs, Texas (from NEA Works4Me)

Random Acts of Kindness
I recognize random acts of kindness in my classroom. I write the student's name, date, and act of kindness on an index card. I attach all the cards to a bulletin board titled, Miss Sally's Kindness Club. At the end of the year, I take down the cards and mail them to the parents. This is a great way for students to get recognition for being kind to each other.

—Sally Theobold, an intervention specialist, Palatka, Florida (from NEA Works4Me)

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