Gently Walk the Path of Kindness

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children…to leave the world a better place…to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Being Kind, a lovely video that came out of a 21-Day Kindness Challenge launched on September 11th. 98 countries. 6000 people Please consider joining the next challenge. Check it out here.

k71 I taught Humane Education for the Rhode Island SPCA, and I think “Humane” extends to all life: animals, people, the environment. We are all connected.

The Random Acts of Kindness website provides inspiration and ideas. They have a wonderful selection of Research Articles, a Reading List, and other resources. And of course, 350 Kindness Ideas to get you started!

35 Acts of Kindness Ideas

NBC News 26 Acts of Kindness to honour the victims of Newtown

The Kindness Project

Kindness Calendar and Ideas to share with your kids or students!

Humane Education Links for Parents and Teachers:

Here’s a Pet Overpopulation Class Activity set of activity sheets to use in the classroom.

International Fund for Animal Welfare – Education resources. IFAW works to protect wildlife and their habitat, as well as companion animals. Marvelous lesson plans and videos.

Humane Society of the US – Resources for Parents and Educators

Institute for Humane Education – Resource Center Lesson plans for teachers on a variety of humane education themes, including human rights, environmental issues and animal welfare.

Animals and Society Institute An independent research and educational organization that works to enhance understanding of our complex relationships with other animals, stop the cycle of violence and promote stricter animal protection laws.

Heart – Teacher Resources Resources for teachers, organized by grade range in topics pertaining to animal rights, human rights and environmental issues.

The National Humane Education Society Lesson plans on a variety of humane education topics.

Animalearn: Animals, Ethics, and Education and The Science Bank An excellent organization for teachers, parents, and students seeking alternatives to dissection activities in the classroom, with alternatives and resources.

TeachKind, part of PETA. A resource for teachers. images

Educator Resources from Random Acts of Kindness

The Ethical Eater Useful list detailing what food labels really mean.

How to Treat a Pig – a 30 Second Lesson Just because it’s so sweet.

Humane Education Blogs

Humane Connection blog from the Institute of Humane Education
Care2 Humane Education
Heart Blog
Washington Humane Society
Abner the dog’s humane education experiences
Mr. Estopinan’s Blog Looking through the eyes of another.
National Humane Education Society
Humane Society of the US – Resources for Students

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. ~Leo F. Buscaglia

A wonderful set of animal-related kindness ideas on the Random Acts of Kindness website.

Children’s Books with Humane Themes

16 Books about People Helping Animals or click here for a printable version: 16 Children’s Books about People Helping Animals

Link to NHES (National Humane Education Society) Picture Book/Early Reader Recommendations

Picture Books with Special Needs Characters

Link to NHES Chapter Book Recommendations

Link to NHES Young Adult Book Recommendations

Humane Reading Resources for Older Readers

Useful Humane Education Links for Teachers and Parents

Online Resources in Humane Education

A great link at the Institute for Humane Education’s website: 12 Resources for Free Films on Humane Issues

Home School Website Resources (APHE)