At Random Acts, we believe that everyone – whether you are a kid, teen, adult, or even young at heart – has the ability to make a meaningful difference in the world through acts of kindness. These acts can bring people together, build relationships, and create positive changes in your community.
Starting the Week
Earlier in the school year, Random Acts supporter Carmen Lloydsmith challenged her students to a “Kindness Week,” where each day was dedicated to a different act of kindness in the school’s community. These unique acts helped students improve their relationships in the classroom, support others, and help their community. They created crafts and posters to put up around the school to highlight their event to all students and staff. This was their outline for the week:
- Monday: Use kind words to uplift other students.
- Tuesday: Pick up garbage around the community.
- Wednesday: Stay at school until everyone has finished their work for the day, so no one is left behind.
- Thursday: Assemble 100 peanut butter and jelly, and ham sandwiches for the unhoused community at a local church.
- Friday: Personally deliver the sandwiches to the community and other food donations.
Students did not just stop there, though. Carmen shared, “There was one instance where the students told the school staff about how a group of them helped someone across the street.” She was happy to see her students were so enthusiastic and inspired by the “Kindness Week” that they had started doing acts of kindness on their own. Through these acts, they were learning that helping others not only made a difference for those impacted but also brought themselves a sense of pride and happiness.
Wrapping Up the Week
At the end of the week, Carmen asked each student to fill out a reflection form to self-reflect on their week of kindness. The ultimate goal was to teach the students the importance behind kindness and how each act can create a positive impact, both in the classroom and community. “Kindness Week” also highlighted how to build positive relationships with others and foster inclusion within the school community. Many people were so appreciative of the kindness they experienced from the students that they sent them a thank-you note.
Random Acts is committed to providing resources to teachers and schools so anyone can create a similar experience for their students. There are a variety of resources available that make spreading kindness in school communities easy, such as our school-specific act ideas, options for funding, printable materials, and Student Group Coordinators who are ready to help you facilitate your own act. Please click here for more details.
