Tip Off

Being kind

Did you know?

Logo for Special Olympics Canada with various characters standing in a circle with their arms outstretched.

Special Olympics Canada logo

Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. They offer training and opportunities to play Olympic-type sports allowing each person to develop skills, build courage, and feel joy as they play with other athletes in their community.

Special Olympics offer programs all around the world. For example, Special Olympics Canada offers opportunities across the country!

NBA and Special Olympics athletes both show kindness to their teammates and coaches, and help to support their communities. They also come together in different ways!

One example of how these athletes come together is the NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Sports® project. NBA and Special Olympics athletes form teams and share their basketball skills on the court!

Source:

Special Olympics. (n.d.). https://www.specialolympics.org/

Pause and reflect icon

Pause and reflect

Why is it important to be kind? How can you be kind in your life?

You may record your ideas using drawings, words, or another method of your choice.

Complete the Being Kind Activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.

Being kind activity Press the ‘Activity‘ button to access the Being Kind Activity. Activity (Open PDF in a new window)

Kindness around us

Being kind to ourselves and others is important because it helps everyone feel good. It also helps us to connect and understand one another.

Press Kindness Matters to access examples of how we can be kind to ourselves and others.

A few examples of being kind and caring to ourselves and others might include:

  • helping a friend
  • using kind words when communicating with others
  • doing something we enjoy

Gametime

Kindness matters

Check out the following video entitled “Kid Reporter Alex: Kindness” to learn more about acts of kindness.

What are some of Alex’s examples of acts of kindness?

Press Examples to access a few of Alex’s acts of kindness.

  • send a message, text, or email to a friend, family member, or community member
  • help complete different tasks at home, school, or in the community
  • do something for yourself to make you happy

Exploring kindness

Check out the following statements and think about whether they are acts of kindness or not.

Select the correct answer, then press Check Answer to see how you did.

Fun fact

NBA Cares logo.

NBA Cares is a global platform which partners with community organizations around the world. They help in areas such as education, inclusion, health and wellness, and family support.

Source:

NBA Media Ventures. (n.d.). NBA Cares. https://cares.nba.com/

Why do you think different organizations might try to help and support their communities and people in need?

Record your thoughts using a method of your choice. If possible, share with a partner.

Using the Internet

We can be kind in many ways. We can be kind when we talk and work with others.

We can be kind even when we are on the Internet.

People can use the Internet to:

  • find information about people, places, and things
  • connect with friends and family
  • explore pictures and videos (i.e. NBA games, famous basketball players, etc.)
  • play games

When we visit the Internet on any kind of electronic device, we are going online.

Have you ever been online before? If so, what did you search for? What did you do?

Record your thoughts using a method of your choice.

Mascot saying: If you ever feel uncomfortable while you are online, stop and take a break. If possible, reach out to a trusted adult
Pause and reflect icon

Pause and reflect

What are some different ways to be kind online?

Record your ideas in a method of your choice.

Press Let’s Check! to access a few examples.

  • use caring and considerate words when communicating with someone online
  • help someone when they are learning to use the Internet to find information
  • send a friendly email or message to friends and family

Profile

Brook Lopez

Brook Lopez jumps to dunk the basketball into the net. Another player observes offside, and another jumps up to defend.

Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks (2023) jumps to dunk the basketball during a game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 26, 2022. Kevin Durant, #7 of the Brooklyn Nets (2023) jumps and stretches an arm out to defend against Lopez, and Day’Ron Sharpe, #20 of the Brooklyn Nets (2023) stands offside.

Brook Lopez is an American basketball player, who played for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2022-2023 season. He has been playing in the NBA since 2008, and he is always thinking about how he can improve and adjust his skills to support his team.

Off the court, Lopez also loves to support his community in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is passionate about reading and has donated thousands of books and given funds to support programs, which encourage and support children learning to read.

“Reading is a personal passion of mine that both brings me joy and has played a key role in my success...Throughout my career, I have remained committed to supporting youth literacy initiatives because I know firsthand how important this skill is.”
– Brook Lopez

Sources:

Bucks, M. (2021, January 29). Brook Lopez commits $25,000 to next door through “blocks for books” program. NBA.com. https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/brook-lopez-commits-25000-next-door-through-blocks-books-program

NBA Media Ventures. (2023, June 12). NBA Cares Community Assist Award. NBA Cares. https://cares.nba.com/programs/nba-cares-community-assist-award/

Panerio, J. (2023, April 30). How Brook Lopez changed his game to fit the modern times. FanNation. https://www.si.com/nba/bucks/news/how-brook-lopez-changed-his-game-to-fit-the-modern-times

Fourth Quarter

Putting it all together

Imagine that someone is using the Internet to find out more about NBA Cares.

They have been online for a while, and they are feeling tired. It’s time for a brain break!

Let’s explore some ideas for taking a break.

Check out the following images. Match the following images to the correct descriptions.

Try it icon

Your turn!

Being kind online

Reflect on what you have learned about being kind.

Create a few examples that show kindness online, or how you might help a partner while they are working online.

You may record your ideas using pictures, words, or another method of your choice.

Complete the Being Kind Online Activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.

Being Kind Online Activity Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Being Kind Online Activity. Activity (Open PDF in a new window)