The Cool Bean: A Kindness Book for K-2 Classrooms

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The Cool Bean is a kindness book that shows kids how small acts of compassion can make a big difference. Add it to your classroom for a fun way to inspire kindness and empathy in your students!

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A Kindness Book: The Cool Bean

In the primary classroom, kids are learning a lot more than ABCs. They’re figuring out how to make friends, share, and maybe not lose their cool when someone takes the last crayon. That’s why, alongside all the reading and math, there’s one word we want to focus on: “kindness.”

Kindness isn’t just a nice idea and shouldn’t just be celebrated on World Kindness Day. It’s like the glue that keeps the classroom running smoothly. And what better way to teach it than with a kindness book?

An absolute go-to is The Cool Bean. It’s fun, relatable, and gets kids giggling while subtly teaching them what it means to be a good friend. Perfect for those days when a little reminder of kindness goes a long way!

Teaching Kindness Through Children’s Picture Books

Children’s picture books have a unique way of connecting with young readers. They bring kids into worlds filled with fun characters, relatable adventures, and unforgettable life lessons. More than just stories, picture books are powerful tools for teaching important skills. They teach things like kindness, empathy, and friendship—all wrapped up in narratives that feel fun and accessible.

The Cool Bean Summary

The Cool Bean by Jory John is a perfect example of a “kindness book” that resonates with kids. In this story, we meet a “cool bean” who isn’t quite as “cool” as his peers, but he learns that genuine coolness comes from kindness. The book shows how small acts, like helping a friend or simply being considerate, can make a huge impact. It’s relatable and funny, making it easy for kids to connect with the story and think about how they can bring more kindness into their lives.

Ultimately, The Cool Bean doesn’t just tell kids about kindness; it shows them what it looks like in action. Its playful illustrations and relatable message bring out the “cool” in kindness, creating a learning experience that kids will remember.

The Cool Bean is a fantastic way to start conversations about empathy and social skills in the classroom. Teachers can use it to help students understand that they have the power to be kind and that small gestures can make others feel valued and seen. The book also naturally opens up opportunities for activities that reinforce kindness.

The Cool Bean Lesson Plans

The Cool Bean is an excellent addition to your classroom library and a resource for kindness lessons. Like other kindness picture books, you can use this book to create wonderful lesson plans.

Discussion

Begin by asking the class what it means to be “cool.” Hand out small pieces of paper and let students draw or write what they think makes someone cool. Invite a few students to share their ideas and discuss questions like, “What does a cool person look like?” and “How does a cool person act?”

As you read The Cool Bean, pause to highlight how the Cool Beans show kindness throughout the story. Ask, “Is it cool to be kind?” and prompt students to notice examples of kindness as the story unfolds.

After finishing the book, discuss what the Cool Beans did that was cool. Ask students to think about times when someone showed kindness to them. Share a personal story about kindness, and encourage students to share their examples.

Anchor Chart

Work together to create a “Cool Kind Kids” anchor chart or a digital Y-chart. Brainstorm things that cool, kind kids do, say, and are, recording their ideas on the chart.

Writing Prompt

Wrap up the lesson with a reflective writing prompt: “I am a cool, kind kid” or “How to be a Cool Bean.” Provide differentiated options to suit each student’s level. This activity encourages students to think about their kind behaviors and how they can embody the message of The Cool Bean.

This lesson reinforces the power of kindness and gives kids concrete strategies for incorporating kindness into their everyday lives, making them feel like true “Cool Beans.”

The Cool Bean Extension Activities

After reading and completing the activities above, extending the learning is always a good idea. Many kindness activities can enhance this read-aloud and make learning even more fun for students.

Here’s a breakdown of the activities from The Cool Bean companion resource, each designed to reinforce kindness in engaging and creative ways:

Cool Kind Kid Sunglasses Self-Portrait

In this fun art activity, take a picture of each student. They then create their own “cool kid” sunglasses representing their unique kindness qualities. This activity helps kids visualize and express how they can be “cool” through kindness, building self-awareness, and pride in their positive actions.

Cool or Uncool Kindness Sort

This sorting game gives students examples of kind and unkind behaviors and challenges them to decide whether each one is “cool” or “uncool.” Students can sort cards with different actions, like “helping a friend” or “teasing someone.”

Kind is Cool Sunshine Mobile Craft

Students create a mobile with a sunshine design. Each ray features a different kind of action they can do, like “say thank you” or “include others.” As they put their mobiles together, they’re reminded of how each small act of kindness adds brightness to the world around them.

“BEAN”GO Bingo Classroom Challenge

This is a classroom-wide kindness bingo game where each square represents a different action. As students complete acts of kindness, like “complimenting a classmate” or “helping clean up,” they mark off a square on their BEANGO card. The goal is to get five in a row or fill the entire card, depending on the challenge set by the teacher. This is such a great kindness challenge for kids!

Each activity is designed to help students internalize the lesson that kindness is not only “cool” but also something they can embody and practice every day!

Kindness Book Companions

It’s always a great idea to include multiple books to show students how important kindness is. I’ve created more book companions for some of my favorite kindness books.

Be Kind

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller is a story about the power of kindness. When a classmate spills grape juice on her new dress, the narrator wonders how they can make her feel better and learns that kindness comes in many forms.

Try a Little Kindness

Try a Little Kindness is a story that shows how small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect, making the world a better place. Through simple, everyday examples, the book encourages readers to think about how their actions can bring joy and comfort to others.

A Little Spot of Kindness

A Little Spot of Kindness is a book that teaches children the power of kindness through a relatable and colorful character, A Small Spot. It encourages kids to understand that even little acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day, helping them feel better and brighter.

Resources to Help You Teach Kindness

Kindness Book Companions

The Cool Bean Book Companion is a great resource that will help students understand the power of kindness and show them that it is cool to be kind!

My Kindness Book Companion bundle includes other excellent kindness book companions besides The Cool Bean. Each book companion focuses on building kindness, emotional awareness, and social skills. Students engage in classroom discussions, share their thoughts and feelings through writing, and participate in fun activities promoting empathy, kindness, and positive interactions. These activities help foster a supportive and inclusive classroom environment.

All in all, if you like this resource, you’ll love my SEL Book Companion Bundle. It includes over 40 books focusing on growth mindset, kindness, feelings, and MORE!

Free Kindness Activities

Try the FREE Random Acts of Kindness List and Writing Prompt by Proud to be Primary to inspire your students with simple ways they can show kindness every day. It’s a great resource for helping build a positive classroom culture and encouraging kids to spread kindness wherever they go.

Click the image below to grab a copy.