Circle of Kindness

crayola supplies

household supplies

Why

Start the Jewish New Year-or the New Year your family celebrates-by spinning this Circle of Kindness. Kids are inspired to do good deeds.

Steps

  1. 1. Think about the year that has just passed for you. Were there events or actions that you wish you had handled differently? Perhaps you would feel better about your next year if you carried out some thoughtful and considerate deeds to help ease your regrets?
  2. 2. Who are the people to whom you would like to show a kindness? Using Crayola® Washable Supertips Fine Line Markers, divide the back of a paper plate into pie-shaped sections. Label each section with these people's names. Draw a picture inside each area.
  3. 3. Use Crayola Crayons and markers to decorate the rest of the plate with symbols of the new year you are celebrating. If it is Rosh Hashanah, you might choose a shofar (a curved hollowed animal horn used to "wake people up" to the consequences of our actions) or a round Hallah (a braided sweet bread symbolizing the circle of life).
  4. 4. Using Crayola Scissors, cut out an arrow-shaped pointer from thin cardboard or a recycled file folder. Attach pointer to the center of the plate with a brass paper fastener.
  5. 5. Spin the arrow and decide what nice thing you can do for the person chosen by the pointer.
  6. 6. Spin the arrow and decide what nice thing you can do for the person chosen by the pointer.

When & Where

"We snacked on sweet bread, honey, and apples before we spun our Circles of Kindness."
- Rebecca C., mom of 4-, 6-, and 8-year-olds.

"I use this activity every fall because Rosh Hashanah comes so early in our school year."
- Jerrod T., school volunteer

Interesting Info

There are 13 million Jews living around the world, most of whom live in the United States.

Safety Guidelines

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

© 2000 - 2006 Binney & Smith, Inc.