Chain of Compliments

Adapted from: Ask Eric. Available: http://ericir.syr.edu/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Mental_Health/MEH0001.html

Submitted by: Tammy Seys; edited by AskERIC
Endorsed by: Dr. Don Descy, Mankato State University

Subject(s):

Health/Mental or Emotional Health

Description:

This is an activity in which students can enhance their classmates' esteem and promote cooperation in the classroom.

Grade Level(s): 1, 2, 3

Goal:

Students will improve self-concept and practice cooperation.

Objectives:

Students will give and receive compliments. Students will work together to complete a task.

Background Information:

This lesson should be done towards the middle or end of the year after the students have had some time to get to know each other

Concepts:

Students will be able to:

1. Relate the importance of being kind to others.

2. Identify reasons why cooperation is important.

Materials:

1 strip of colored construction paper per student
1 crayon or marker per student
Glue or stapler

Procedure:

1. Arrange students in a circle on the floor.

2. Hand out paper strips and crayons/markers to students.

3. Tell students to find the person seated on their right.

4. Have students write one nice thing (a compliment) about the person on their right.

5. After everyone has finished writing, have the students give the paper to the students they wrote the compliment about.

6. Go around the circle and have students read their compliments aloud.

7. Provide the students with glue or a stapler depending on the age level.

8. Intervene only if the students appear to need assistance with the task.

10. Hang or display the chain in the classroom.

Assessment:

If the students had problems constructing the chain, ask them what we could have been done differently to make the task easier. Discuss how it feels to receive compliments. Discuss how it might have felt to have received a "bad" compliment.