Kindness Buddies: Building Friendships & Compassion from Day One
Help me give my students the resources to practice compassion and build caring friendships through meaningful, creative activities all year long.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Kelly's classroom raised $244
This project is fully funded
My Project
The beginning of the school year is a crucial time for first graders to not only make new friends but also to develop important social skills rooted in compassion—the ability to understand and care deeply about the feelings and needs of others. To nurture this vital skill, I am launching a Kindness Buddies program that encourages my students to actively practice compassion through meaningful, hands-on activities and thoughtful reflection.
In this program, each student will be paired with a Kindness Buddy and receive personalized Buddy Cards with prompts like “Give your buddy a compliment” and “Help your buddy when they need it.” These prompts guide students in recognizing others’ feelings and responding with kindness, patience, and support—core aspects of compassion.
To deepen the connection and reinforce the lessons, students will create friendship bracelets using letter beads to spell their buddy’s name. This tactile project helps children celebrate their friendship and reminds them daily of their commitment to caring for one another.
I will laminate the Buddy Cards to ensure they are durable and can be used repeatedly throughout the year, providing ongoing opportunities for my students to engage in compassionate acts.
Through these activities, students practice empathy, learn to see situations from their buddy’s perspective, and develop the emotional language necessary to express care. Weekly reflections and group discussions encourage them to share how compassion helped solve problems, ease hurt feelings, and build a stronger classroom community.
Your support will empower my students to build a culture of compassion from day one—helping them grow not only as learners but as thoughtful, caring individuals who understand the importance of kindness in their lives and the lives of others.
Thank you for investing in my students’ growth as compassionate citizens of our classroom and community!
More than a third of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouch, 9 x 11-1/2 Inches, 3 mil Thick, Pack of 100 - Teacher-Parent Resources - Adult
• School Specialty
$24.29
2
$48.58
Scotch Brand Scotch TL906 Thermal Laminator, Never Jam Technology Automatically Prevents Misfed Items, 2 Roller System , 9 inch (Pack of 2)
• Amazon Business
$44.99
1
$44.99
Bostitch Impulse Drive, 30 Sheet Electric Stapler, No Jam Technology, Easy Reload, Black
• Amazon Business
$29.95
1
$29.95
U.S. Art Supply Jumbo Twist Crayons for Toddlers Kids - Silky, Washable Gel Set of 36 Colors - Non Toxic Twist Up Easy Glide - Bright, Bendable, Blendable, Adult Coloring Books, Art Crafts
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 01250-6 Double-Sided E-Z Runner Grand Adhesive Dispenser, Recyclable, 150-feet, RED, 150 Foot
• Amazon Business
$15.60
1
$15.60
SUTOUG 1000PCS Colourful Letter Beads for Threading, 4 x 7 MM, A-Z White Letter Beads and Colourful Heart Beads, Acrylic Round Beads for Jewellery DIY Making Crafts Bracelets Necklaces Ornaments Penda
• Amazon Business
$7.52
1
$7.52
1mm Stretchy Bracelet String, Sturdy Rainbow Elastic String Elastic Cord for Jewelry Making, Necklaces, Beading and Crafts
• Amazon Business
$5.59
1
$5.59
Materials cost
$169.22
Vendor shipping charges
$4.86
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$2.54
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$206.62
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$36.46
Total project goal
$243.08
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$243.08
4 Donors
-$118.90
Donations toward project cost
-$105.56
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$13.34
match offer
-$118.89
Match offer toward project cost
-$101.06
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Kelly and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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