For the Classroom

Compassion

Providing comfort, encouragement, or help during difficult moments

Compassion helps schools become places where students feel understood and supported.

When educators respond with empathy and care, students develop confidence and resilience. Compassion strengthens relationships and fosters emotional safety.

Essay

Buckets of Compassion

by Jill Tomey

These days, teachers need buckets and buckets of Compassion. It’s not just about academics anymore. Students are coming into classrooms under the influence of trauma, past or present. Many students in mainstream classrooms are neurodivergent and have brains that think differently. While cultural diversity in the school is a good thing, it can bring its own challenges. Even though the pandemic is over, it has left its mark on learning levels and behavior. Now, add all the political and economic struggles the country is facing, and you will have a classroom full of students needing teachers to provide a safe space, mental health support, trauma recovery, remedial attention, and differentiated instruction.

How can a single teacher have enough Compassion to support an entire class? One way is to enlist the help of the students themselves. Teach the students about the importance of Compassion for each other. Work to build the group into a community where they feel safe, supported, and valued and offer the same to fellow students. Over time, they will share Compassion with you!

This month, how will you model, reward, and encourage Compassion?

Affirmations for the Classroom

I help people when they are hurt or having a bad day.
I cheer up others when they are sad.
I look for ways to make things easier for others.
I listen when others want to talk.
I am kind to myself.

Compassion Resource Library

The Links below will take you to Resources like activities, lessons, reflections, tools, and visuals you can use in the classroom or in homeschool to teach the Character Quality of Compassion.

Featured

Compassion as a Core Value

Descriptions of Compassion as a Core Value and how the other qualities support it.

Compassion as a Sidekick Quality

Descriptions of how Compassion supports the other qualities.

Reading List Roundup: Compassion Picture Books

A curated reading list for teaching Compassion—plus a printable download and a link to the full Compassion bookshelf on Goodreads.

Connecting Compassion to the Science Curriculum

Use concept of listening from your Science curriculum to teach Compassion

Fun with Character: It’s Not What You Think

A classroom activity to help understand Compassion by exploring perspective-taking and the "benefit of the doubt" by solving lateral thinking puzzles and brainstorming compassionate scenarios, and reflecting on how understanding others' points of view leads to forgiveness.

Fun with Character: Broken Heart

A classroom activity to help understand Compassion by exploring emotional pain and healing by reassembling a paper heart that has been cut into pieces, and reflecting on how the actions of one person affect the entire group.

Fun with Character: Where Does It Hurt?

A classroom activity to help understand Compassion by exploring physical and emotional hurts by placing smiley stickers on Band-Aids to "heal" each other, and reflecting on how to be alert to the needs of others.

Picture Book Pick: Nothing in Common

A featured Compassion picture book—Nothing in Common—with a read-along link and ready-to-use classroom discussion questions.

No Matter How You Say It: Compassion

A quick language-and-meaning snapshot of Compassion, showing the word origins, sign language, and common idioms anyone can discuss.

Compassion Quotes

Looking for reminders that Compassion makes a difference? Explore the full collection of Compassion Quotes and find the perfect line to share, post, or spark a conversation.

Quotes

Celebrate Character Qualities All Month

Use the holidays this month to celebrate our other qualities.

Featured

Juneteenth Activity

A simple Juneteenth activity.

June Character All Month

A list of classic and quirky holidays in June and their connection to a variety of character qualities.

Summersgiving

A simple Summersgiving activity.

Build Community in Your Classroom

Try these activities!

Featured

Getting to Know You: Fortunately, Unfortunately

This lighthearted Team Building activity uses stories to encourage people to express their identity and values in a fun, creative way—boosting connection, conversation, and a sense of belonging within any group or organization. Spark fun dialogue and collaboration, and help participants practice quick thinking, positive interaction, and group energy.

Getting to Know You: Read All About it!

This lighthearted Team Building activity uses paper to encourage people to express their identity and values in a fun, creative way—boosting connection, conversation, and a sense of belonging within any group or organization. Spark fun dialogue and collaboration, and help participants practice quick thinking, positive interaction, and group energy.

Compassion

Providing comfort, encouragement, or help during difficult moments

Compassion helps schools become places where students feel understood and supported.

Buckets of Compassion

This month, how will you model, reward, and encourage Compassion?

Affirmations for the Classroom

Compassion Resource Library

Compassion Quotes

Celebrate Character Qualities All Month

Build Community in Your Classroom

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