Ask your students what they think respect means. On the chalkboard make a list of classroom dos and don’ts in terms of respect; for instance, do share your markers if your friend doesn’t have any, but don’t steal someone else’s property. Draw up a classroom contract that outlines how your students should act toward others. Discuss relevant bible passages that demonstrate respect, such as “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Give each child two pieces of paper and crayons or markers, and have them write their name on each piece of paper. Collect one piece of paper and allow the children to keep the other. Crumple or tear up the papers you collected so they are ruined. Ask the children how this made them feel. Explain to them that your action was wrong, and that disrespect means that you are not considering someone else’s feelings when you act. Tell them that the crumpled-up paper has spoiled their work, and ask them to explain how disrespect spoils relationships. Have the children trade the pieces of paper they kept with a partner; the partner’s paper should serve as a reminder to the children that they have a responsibility to act with respect toward others.
Have one child stand in the center of a hula hoop. One by one, instruct the other children to step into the hula hoop with their peer. The child who was originally standing in the hoop must tell the other child to please respect her space and step out of the hula hoop. Explain to the children that this exercise teaches boundaries. It is not right to invade someone’s space, and if the children feel that someone is crossing boundaries, they can politely tell them to step away.
Assign partners and give the pairs a scenario to act out. One student will act out a situation and ask the other student to react in a respectful way. For instance one student could pretend she has fallen on the playground and is hurt. Her partner should act out ways to help her. You may also opt for the children to act out bible passages that show respect, such as the story of the Good Samaritan. At the end of each skit, have the partners explain why they thought their skit demonstrated respect.