Kindness as open doors
Elsie founded a “Traveling University for Men and Women” so learning wasn't only for the privileged. Ask: who might feel left out at our school, and what door could we open for them this week?
World Kindness Week · November 9–15, 2026 · Theme: “Small Acts, BIG Impact!”
World Kindness Week Classroom Resources & Lesson Ideas
Free, ready-to-use World Kindness Day lesson ideas for teachers: a one-minute assembly story, three ten-minute conversations, and five simple classroom activities. Everything is free to print and share.
60-second assembly opener
Program note
In about 1914, a young woman named Elsie Lincoln Benedict stood on a box at Columbus Circle in New York City, speaking about women's right to vote. A heckler poured a bucket of water over her. Soaking wet, she smiled and said:
“You can't dampen my enthusiasm in that way.”
Elsie's wordsSuffrage open-air meeting, Columbus Circle, NYC, c. 1914
Then she kept speaking. This week, we're practicing that kind of kindness — the kind that keeps going, even when it's hard.
Three ten-minute conversations
Kindness with a backbone
Sometimes kindness means speaking up. Ask: when have you seen someone stand up kindly for another person? What made it hard, and what made it possible?
Kindness as understanding
Elsie believed in understanding people as they are. Ask: what is one thing you could ask a classmate to understand them better? Practice listening without interrupting.
Five classroom activity ideas
Activity 1
Class kindness count
Keep a tally of small kind acts all week and celebrate the total on Friday, November 13.
Activity 2
Daily morning act
Read one act from our 30 Small Kindness Acts list at morning meeting and try it that day.
Activity 3
Kindness card station
Set out paper and markers so students can write a specific thank-you to someone at school.
Activity 4
Pledge wall
Each student writes one kindness pledge on a sticky note for a shared classroom wall.
Activity 5
Quick kindness quiz
Use the four questions in the printable kit to open a short discussion about Elsie's life.