The Five Precepts
Simple rules for being kind
Teacher Experience
A contemplative invitation for educators to reflect on before teaching.Consider the norms we have for our own ethical conduct. What are the most essential guidelines that you abide by? What is the experience like of keeping a vow that you believe is truly beneficial? Consider how you might refine your practice of reverence for life, harmonious speech, or mindful consumption for a day. Sometimes it is in finding our edge, or where we aren’t as mindful that we experience the power of setting and abiding by an intention to follow a rule we trust will bring benefit.
Student Experience
A contemplative invitation for students to connect with this learning goal.Practice being gentle with a classroom pet, plant, or toy. Notice how careful, kind actions help take care of the things and people you love.
Understanding
Students will understand...We can learn to be kind and helpful to everyone around us. There are simple ways to take care of people, animals, and our world that make everyone feel happy and safe.
Action
Students are able to...Practice simple acts of kindness and caring in daily classroom situations; demonstrate gentle treatment of classroom pets, plants, and materials; show sharing and asking permission through role-play activities; and express care for others through kind words and helpful actions.
Content Knowledge
Students will know...There are simple ways to be kind and helpful that make everyone feel happy and safe. These special rules help us take care of people, animals, and our world.
We can: 1) Be gentle with all living things – people, pets, and plants, 2) Share our toys and ask before taking something, 3) Use gentle hands and take care of our bodies, 4) Use kind words and listen to our friends, 5) Choose healthy foods and drinks that help us grow strong.
When we follow these simple rules, everyone in our classroom feels loved and cared for. Being kind makes us feel good too!
Guiding Questions
Implementation Possibilities
Create daily caring rituals like gentle animal feeding, plant watering, and toy cleaning that demonstrate reverence for life. Practice sharing activities using classroom materials and snacks with guided turn-taking and asking permission. Develop simple role-playing scenarios about using gentle hands and kind words with friends. Establish basic classroom agreements about helping others and taking care of shared spaces. Design movement activities that teach gentle versus rough actions through creative play. Implement circle time sharing about helpful actions and kind words experienced throughout the day.
Assessment Ideas
Observe gentle interactions with classroom materials and peers during daily activities. Demonstration of caring behaviors through simple role-play scenarios, sharing circle participation showing understanding of kindness concepts
