Fun with Character: Cotton Ball Words

Have an example of a cotton ball and a piece of sandpaper (the rougher, the better). Ask the students to describe each of the items.  Ask them which they prefer. Have the class list things to say that would be kind, like cotton balls.   If you ask them to list things to say or do that would be unkind, like sandpaper, then be certain to advise them not to name someone specifically to avoid hurting anyone.  Next, get a rather large, clear jar. Make sure it is large enough to hold several/many days of kind words and behaviors. When you hear kind words or see kind actions, put a cotton ball into the jar. You decided if students can ask for a cotton ball for something they or another student has done. Let the students know that they will get a cotton ball treat when the jar is full. It’s up to you how packed you want to make it to align with time in the schedule for the treat. When you add the last cotton ball that will fit in the jar, i.e., the day before you want to have the treat, declare that the jar is full and that the treat will be tomorrow. Overnight, the cotton balls will “magically” turn into marshmallows for the class to share. If you want a full-blown cotton party, many games use cotton balls if you want to add 1 or 2 games to the marshmallow treat.

Process the activity with these or similar questions:

What did you think of this activity?

Is a cotton ball a good visual for kind words and acts?

Is sandpaper a good visual for rudeness or being mean?

How did it make you feel to see the cotton balls adding up in the jar?

What did you think of your magic treat?

Are you in the habit of saying and doing kind things?

Will you continue to say and do kind things even if there is no cotton ball jar?