Third graders learn that words carry real weight, that the same moment can be met with words that help or words that hurt, and sort things people say into the two kinds.
Students will be able to…
A classmate drops their tray; one person offers to help, another laughs. Same moment, very different words. How do the words we choose help or hurt others?
Project this and sort each thing someone might say into helpful or hurtful — tap a phrase, then tap where it belongs.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
A classmate drops their tray. One person says, "Here, let me help." Another laughs and says, "Nice job." Same moment, very different words. How do words help or hurt?
Students sort words into helpful and hurtful.
Students rewrite hurtful words.
Students build a helpful-words list.
Students reflect on words.
Aligned to the CASEL Framework for Social and Emotional Learning across its five core competencies.
Recognize how your words affect how others feel.
Choose kind, helpful language with others.
Pause and pick your words before speaking.
Show empathy for how a comment lands on someone.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students list five helpful things to say, add when to use each, and try one with a partner, so kind words are ready when they matter. A printable helpful-words worksheet is in the Social-Emotional Learning library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.