Lesson
1
:

What is Compassion?

Grade

Kindergarten

UNIT

6

Compassion

Last Updated:

June 5, 2025

Unit 6, Lesson 1, “What is Compassion?” introduces the spelling and definition of the word compassion. Students will learn examples of compassion, provided by the accompanying video and in class activities. Additionally, students will practice the correct spelling of compassion, demonstrate comprehension through a pictorial demonstration, and practice conversation skills by sharing their illustrations with a partner.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Correctly spell and define compassion
  • Demonstrate comprehension by producing a pictorial representation 
  • Practice conversation skills by sharing pictures with classmates

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

VOCABULARY:

  • Compassion: I see when others are hurt or need help, and I try to help them.

ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.4

Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.10

Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1

Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1.A

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1.A

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1.A

Print many upper- and lowercase letters.

CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

Moral Character A

Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of honesty and integrity, caring and compassion, gratitude, and the courage to take initiative

Self-Awareness A2

Identify personal strengths (e.g., honesty, curiosity, listening)

Social-Awareness A3

Demonstrate the ability to listen carefully and intentionally to others

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 1

Initiate and engage in conversation and social interactions with classmates, peers, and adults

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 7

Play games and appropriately participate in small group classroom activities

Responsible and Ethical Decision-Making 1

Describe a rule or principle that everyone should strive to live by (e.g., be kind, be honest, try your best)

LESSON PROCEDURE

Today we will talk about compassion. 

  1. Write compassion on the board and prompt students to write it on their worksheets.
  2. Play the video: Sesame Street: Good Neighbors are Compassionate by Sesame Workshop (~2 min)
  3. Play the video: Kindness Matters by Nicole — YouTube @Teachinglittlewonderz (~1 min)
  4. Give an example of compassion (e.g., I showed compassion when I saw that my friend was sad. I gave him a hug.)
  5. Write three sentences on the board and ask students which one shows compassion:
    a. When someone is feeling sad, I leave them alone.
    b. When I see that someone is crying, I tell them to be quiet.
    c. When I see that someone is sad, I ask them what is wrong and how I can help them.
  6. Ask students to draw a picture on their worksheet of how they have shown compassion
  7. Have students share their pictures with a partner.
  8. Pass out a piece of construction paper to each student. Have students trace their hands and then cut out their handprints.
  9. Go around the room asking students for ways they can show compassion, then have each student write their five favorites, one on each paper finger.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

  • Talk with your students about times you have seen examples of people demonstrating compassion. You can give examples of family, friends, and/or historical or current public figures.
  • Talk with your students about times in your life when you have demonstrated compassion, despite hardships.

KINDERGARTEN UNIT 6 WORKSHEET 1: WHAT IS COMPASSION?

Compassion: I see when others are hurt or need help, and I try to help them. 

Write the word compassion: 

_________________________________________________________________________

Draw a picture of a time you showed compassion:

Prohuman K-12 Curriculum © 2025 by Prohuman Foundation is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

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