Playful • Character-heavy • Movement

Learning Objectives

• Understand that teasing, name-calling, and leaving people out hurts
• Practice pausing and choosing a kind action instead
• Use a thumbs-up to show support and kindness

1. Introduction & Hook (4–5 min)

Gather in a circle. Show Kindness Monkey or HeroKindness.

Teacher Script:
“Hello, super friends! Today our kindness superpower has a very important job.

Sometimes people say mean words, call someone a name, or leave them out of a game. That is called teasing or being mean, and it hurts feelings.

But we have a special superpower called Thumbs Up Instead. When we feel like saying something mean, or when we see it happening, we pause, choose something kind, and give a thumbs-up.

Let’s learn how to use it!”

2. Teach Thumbs Up Instead (3–4 min)

Use big, clear gestures.

Teacher Script:
“Watch me.
Sometimes I might feel like saying a mean name or leaving someone out…
But I pause (freeze and count to 3 out loud).
Then I choose something kind instead — maybe I invite the person or say something nice.
Then I give a big thumbs-up and smile!

That’s Thumbs Up Instead. Let’s practice the pause and thumbs-up together!”

Practice the freeze + thumbs-up several times as a class with energy.

3. Main Activity (7–9 min)

Teacher Script:
“I’ll pretend someone is being left out or called a mean name. Who can show Thumbs Up Instead?”

Do 2–3 simple role-plays (examples: someone being told “You can’t play”, someone being called a silly mean name). Students practice pausing, choosing a kind action (“You can play with us!” or “That’s not kind”), and giving a big thumbs-up.

Then students draw their “Thumbs Up Instead” move on paper.

4. Closing (3 min)

Teacher Script:
“This week, if you see someone being left out, called a name, or if you feel like being mean, remember: Pause… choose kind… thumbs-up!

Let’s all stand and give a big group thumbs-up for kindness instead of being mean!”

Download JK–Grade 1 PDF – Coming Soon

Clear Strategy + Partner Practice

Learning Objectives

• Identify teasing, name-calling, exclusion, and being mean
• Use the 3-step Thumbs Up Instead strategy
• Commit to one real practice this week

1. Introduction & Hook (4 min)

Teacher Script:
“We’ve learned that kindness is a superpower. Today we learn a special way to use it called Thumbs Up Instead.

Teasing, calling people names, leaving people out, and being mean happen a lot. These things can hurt a lot, even when someone says ‘I was only joking.’

The good news is we can stop it with kindness. When you feel like teasing, calling a name, leaving someone out, or being mean — or when you see it — you pause for 3 seconds, choose a kind response, and use a thumbs-up. That’s the superpower move.”

2. Teach the Strategy (4 min)

Write or draw the three steps clearly on the board:
1. Pause (3 seconds)
2. Choose a kind response
3. Thumbs Up + Smile

Teacher Script:
“Possible kind responses:
- Invite the person to join
- Say something supportive
- Tell the person to stop (kindly)
- Change the subject
- Walk over and include the person who was left out or called a name

Let’s practice the pause together — freeze for 3 seconds… now thumbs-up!”

3. Main Activity (8–10 min)

Teacher Script:
“I’m going to read some situations. With a partner, practice Thumbs Up Instead out loud.”

Scenarios:

• Someone is making fun of another student’s drawing and calling it a mean name.
• A group won’t let someone join their game and says “You’re not allowed.”
• A classmate is being called a mean nickname repeatedly.
• Someone says something unkind just to get a laugh.

After practice, students write or draw one way they will use Thumbs Up Instead this week.

4. Closing (3 min)

Teacher Script:
“This week’s challenge: Use Thumbs Up Instead at least once when you see or feel the urge to tease, call a name, exclude, or be mean.

Remember — pausing is powerful. Choosing kindness is your superpower.

Group thumbs-up for Thumbs Up Instead!”

Download Grades 2–4 PDF – Coming Soon

Real Social Dynamics + Peer Discussion

Learning Objectives

• Recognize teasing, name-calling, exclusion, and being mean (including subtle and “joking” forms)
• Apply Thumbs Up Instead in realistic situations
• Create a personal response plan

1. Introduction & Hook (3–4 min)

Teacher Script:
“Teasing, name-calling, exclusion, and being mean are extremely common in middle school. They often feel small or ‘just a joke’ in the moment, but they can have a big impact.

Today we learn a practical tool called Thumbs Up Instead. When you feel the urge to join in teasing or name-calling, or when you witness someone being left out or treated meanly, you pause for 3 seconds, choose a kind response, and use a thumbs-up energy to change the direction.

This is how we activate the kindness superpower under real social pressure.”

2. Teach / Deepen the Strategy (4 min)

Review the 3 steps. Discuss realistic kind responses for this age (support the target privately or publicly, refuse to join in, redirect the conversation, invite the excluded person, etc.).
Introduce the question: “What would HeroKindness do?”

3. Main Activity (10–12 min)

Teacher Script:
“Think of a real situation you’ve seen (or been part of) involving teasing, name-calling, exclusion, or being mean — it can be subtle or ‘just joking.’

With a partner, apply Thumbs Up Instead:
What would the pause look like?
What kind response could shift things?
How does the thumbs-up or positive acknowledgment help?

Then write your own short Thumbs Up Instead plan — what you can realistically say or do under pressure.”

4. Closing (3 min)

Teacher Script:
“This week, look for at least one opportunity to use Thumbs Up Instead when teasing, name-calling, exclusion, or meanness shows up.

Small pauses create big cultural change.

We close with a thumbs-up — for choosing kindness under pressure.”

Download Grades 5–8 PDF – Coming Soon

Social Dynamics + Bystander + Digital

Learning Objectives

• Analyze teasing, name-calling, exclusion, and being mean (including online)
• Apply Thumbs Up Instead as a bystander or when feeling the urge
• Develop a personal script and optional leadership stance

1. Introduction & Hook (3–4 min)

Teacher Script:
“Teasing, name-calling, exclusion, and being mean don’t disappear in high school — they often become more subtle, more digital, and sometimes more damaging.

Today we practice Thumbs Up Instead — a simple but powerful way to interrupt the cycle. When you feel pulled into teasing, name-calling, or mean energy, or when you witness it, you pause, choose a kind or supportive response, and shift the atmosphere with acknowledgment and positivity.

This is practical kindness under real social pressure.”

2. Frame the Strategy (3–4 min)

Review the 3 steps with high-school realism (including group chats, subtle digs, exclusion from plans, “joking” name-calling, etc.).
Discuss the difference between simply “not joining in” and actively supporting the person being targeted.

3. Main Activity (10–12 min)

Teacher Script:
“Reflect on a real example of teasing, name-calling, exclusion, or being mean you’ve observed (in person or online).

Apply Thumbs Up Instead:
Where is the pause needed?
What response feels authentic and effective for you?
How can a thumbs-up energy (public support, private check-in, or refusing to amplify) change the outcome?

Write a short personal script you could actually use.

Optional: How can we as a group or school make Thumbs Up Instead part of our culture?”

4. Closing (3 min)

Teacher Script:
“This week, commit to using Thumbs Up Instead at least once — as a bystander or when you feel the pull yourself.

Real strength is choosing kindness when it’s not the easiest option.

We close with a thumbs-up for that kind of strength.”

Download High School PDF – Coming Soon