Random Acts of Kindness for the Next Week or Month

1. Journal 2/17 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • February 17th is “Random Acts of Kindness Day.”  Make a list of 5-10 acts of kindness that you can perform over the next week or month.  You may also want to keep track of acts that you do, but were not on your list.  Remember, you can help anyone…young, old, family, friend, stranger.  Your random act can be as simple as picking up and returning an item someone dropped. • Discuss acts of kindness…

2. Journal 2/18 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • On this day in 1930, Pluto, a former planet, was discovered. What is your personal opinion about the scientist no longer considering Pluto to be the ninth planet? Do you think they are correct? Or do you think Pluto should have remained a planet?

3. Journal 2/19 (Daily Journals should be about ½ a page. Write about this or anything else) • On this day in 1968, “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” debuted. This popular children’s television show shared many lessons with its viewers. If you could create your own television show for kids, what type of show would you have and what would the show be called?

4. Journal 2/20(Daily Journals should be about ½ a page. Write about this or anything else) • You bump into an ex on Valentine's Day—the one whom you often call "The One That Got Away." What happens?

5. 2/23(Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • If you were the only one who saw a UFO, a fairy or a ghost, would you tell anyone? Why or why not? If you would tell, who would you tell? Why? • (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!)

6. Journal 2/24(Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • "Can you almost stop time with your words? Write about the fastest ride you ever had, but describe only a few seconds of it...as though it was happening to slow motion."

7. Journal 2/25 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • February 25th is “Quiet Day.”  Create a list of at least ten (10) activities that you could do being completely QUIET!

8. Journal 2/26 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • February 26 On this day in 1864, Pony Express Rider William F. Cody was born.  What do you think someone during that time period would think about today’s popular method of communication – texting?

9. Journal 2/27 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • "Did it teach you anything? Write the story of a time when someone fooled you."

10. Journal 3/2 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • On March 1st, 1872, Yellowstone National Park was established. Write about one of the following: • • Your favorite camping, hiking or backpacking trip. • • Where you would like to go camping, hiking or backpacking.

11. Journal 3/3 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • On this day in 1847, inventor Alexander Graham Bell was born.  Bell is probably best known for his development of the telephone.  What do you think our telephones will be like in 20 years?

12. Journal 3/4 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • "Where might you send it? Address and write a letter of complaint directly to a book (not its author) that you were forced to read and really hated."

13. Journal 3/5 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • "Who sets the rules for normal? Write about someone you would label as eccentric."

14. Journal 3/6 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • On this day in 1912, Oreo Cookies were sold for the first time. Describe to someone how you like to eat your Oreo.

15. Journal 3/9 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • March is “National Sauce Month.”  What is your favorite type of sauce?  Be sure to include great descriptive words.

16. Journal 3/10 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • In 806 A.D. in China, the first paper money was used. If you could design new paper money for the U.S., what would it look like? What denominations, or amounts, would you create? Be sure to include a sketch of your new paper currency.

17. Journal 3/11 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • "What image stuck with you the longest? Write about the scariest movie you ever saw."

18. Journal 3/12 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • Today marks the anniversary of the death of Anne Frank who died in 1945.  This brave young woman is well known for the diary she kept, capturing her time in hiding from the Nazi soldiers.  Do you keep diary or journal of your own?  Do you think it was good for her diary to be published?  Why or why not?

19. Journal 3/13 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • "How risky was it? Write about the one thing you did last week that you would call your biggest risk-taking experience for the week. If your one thing doesn’t seem that risky, your piece might be more interesting."

20. Journal 3/23 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • Today is “Toast Day.” What is your favorite topping for toast? Explain to someone how to create this “toasty” treat.

21. Journal 3/24 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • On March 24, 1874, magician Harry Houdini was born. What is the best magic treat you have seen or that you have performed yourself?

22. Journal 3/25 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • On this day, pancakes were first made.  Many would consider pancakes to be their favorite breakfast food.  Would you?  On this day, pancakes were first made.  Many would consider pancakes to be their favorite breakfast food.  Would you?  Describe your perfect breakfast.

23. Journal 3/26 • March 26th is “Make up Your Own Holiday Day.” So, create your own holiday! Keep the following in mind: • • The day • • The reason for celebrating • • Special events that will take place • • Any type of symbols that will be associated with your holiday

24. Journal 3/27 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • Rewrite a nursery rhyme (Three Blind Mice, Jack and Jill, etc.) from a character's point of view.

25. Journal 3/30 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • On this day in 1858, the patent for a pencil with an attached eraser was issued. Taking your pencil’s point of view, what do you think a typical day in your classroom would be like?

26. Journal 3/31 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • "Who was scary in your neighborhood? Write a piece from that person's point of view...or write a piece that explores why that person was scary."

27. Journal 4/1 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • Today is April Fool’s Day. Write about the best April Fool’s Joke you have played, or write about a joke you would like to play on someone. Remember to be safe!

28. Journal 4/2 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • "What are you saying good-bye to right now? Write about something you can safely say good-bye to today."

29. Journal 4/3 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • "What did you collect? Describe in as much detail as possible a collection of something you had when you were younger or something you have now."

30. Journal 4/6 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • "What five images paint a perfect picture of summer to you? Put those five images together in a piece of writing."

31. Journal 4/7 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • How did it get in the trash can? Write about something you threw away and wish you hadn't.

32. Journal 4/8 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • If you could dedicate your life to one noble cause, what would it be? Explain your choice.

33. Journal 4/9 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • When do you first remember feeling some type of jealousy? Write about the experience.

34. Journal 4/14 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • "When did you go with the crowd? OR when did you not go with the crowd? Write about that time."

35. Journal 4/15 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • Where were you when something incredibly important happened on a worldly level? (i.e. the assassination of Kennedy, the destruction of the World Trade Centers, The Columbia Disaster, etc.) Write about it.

36. Journal 4/16 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • Isn't your time worth more to you? Write about a person (maybe you) who has stood in a line too long.

37. Journal 4/17 (Daily journals should be about half a page, write about this – or anything else!!) • Self-inflicted or did you actually pay for it? Tell a story (fact or fiction) about a bad haircut."