Wrnkled Heart -vs- Full Heart Inspired by Molly Lou Melon

My kids love, love, love Molly Lou Melon.  They immediately related to her and want to cheer her on and protect her.   Often, they use the lessons she has taught us and try to apply it to new situations.  When we were doing our Family Meeting (sometimes called a Peace Circle),, we were talking about things that wrinkle our hearts and things that make our hearts full. We've talked a lot about thinking and be smart and not to cause a wrinkled heart.  One of our students drew Molly Lou Melon, and we hang our hearts beside it.

Here are some things the kids say wrinkle hearts:

taking things, calling names, not including someone, making fun of someone, being mean,  not sharing,

Here are some things the kids have said make our hearts full or grow our hearts (like the Grinch):
sharing, compliments, inviting others to play, cheering them on!, being nice,



Won't it make a great class book?   I think the kids will be pleasantly surprised.  We will put them side by side, to show the better choice...

Oridinary Mary (not so ordinary) - Another Character Story of Kindness

This is a story that goes along with a Pay it Forward kind of theme.  Mary does something kind for one person, who, in turn, does an act of kindness for another person.  By the end of the book, you are able to see how one act of kindness can affect so many people.  (The end of the book even shows how many!)

What I love most about the book is that it shows kids that we can make a difference in the world just by being ourselves and going a little beyond what is expected of us to do something nice for another person.  It makes us feel good, and the other person feels good too.”   This is another great book to go along with our quote "Be kind in all you say and do, 'cuz acts of kindness follow you."

 After finishing reading this story, it's fun to have the kids brainstorm how they can help others just by using kind words, smiles and compliments.

May acts of kindness follow you today and every day.