Respectful Choices — Respect Activity Kit (K–1)
Young children know “be respectful” as a rule.
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About this resource
Young children know “be respectful” as a rule. These respectful choices show kindergarten and first grade (Grades K–1) what respect looks like at recess, at lunch and with a new classmate, through scenario cards and kid-sized role-play scripts. It is a Relationship Skills lesson on kindness, fairness and accepting differences, among SEL activities that pair a feeling with a choice.
What students practice
- Choosing a respectful action in everyday situations
- Thinking about how the other person would feel
- Accepting that everyone is different
- Hearing how a respectful response sounds aloud
What’s inside
- A teacher script with timed steps, about 30 minutes, and a flexible outline
- Respectful Choices Cards: 16 scenarios, each with two questions, in two card layouts
- Respect Role-Play Scripts: ten short two-character dialogues, each followed by feeling questions
- Respect Reflection Worksheet and a Respect Journal Page (two versions)
- Respect Award Certificate; 28 pages
A look inside
- Teacher script: “A new classmate speaks a different language. What can you do to make them feel welcome?”
- Role-play script titles: Sharing a Snack, Apologizing After a Mistake and Respecting Personal Space
- Respect Journal prompt: “Today, I showed respect by:”
How to use this respectful choices kit
- Introduce respect as treating others with kindness and valuing their feelings, and tolerance as accepting that everyone is different
- Read the cards aloud, invite ideas and, if an answer misses the mark, ask for another way to show more kindness
- Ask whether there can be more than one respectful choice and where students can use these ideas
- Close with a short reflection on caring for other people’s belongings and a group cheer
Grade fit
Short two-question cards and two-character scripts are pitched at Grades K–1. The kit also works in the first weeks of school while class norms take shape, or as a reset after a playground conflict.
Pairs well with
Keep going with Respect Brain Breaks for movement-based practice at K–2, more respect activities.
Questions teachers ask
How long does the lesson take?
The script runs about 30 minutes.
What role-play scripts are included?
Ten short two-character dialogues, such as Sharing a Snack, Apologizing After a Mistake and Respecting Personal Space.
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