Give the Gift of Kindness: Digital Resources for SEL

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 By Samantha Wilkinson, Instructional Technology Teacher Specialist

In my 3rd grade classroom, every year in December, I would put up a bulletin board titled “Give the Gift of Kindness”. Of course a new bulletin board display always generates some interest and conversation among students which builds anticipation of the activity. I displayed envelopes wrapped as presents on the board, and each was labeled with a date of a day we were in school. Every morning that month, during community circle, a student would take down the present for the day and read the slip of paper inside. 


Sometimes the paper asked the students to perform a task, sometimes to write a note, and sometimes to just think. Each slip of paper focused on giving back to others and showing kindness. They were simple such as, “Tell a cafeteria worker you appreciate them”, or “Write a post-it note and put it on a friend’s locker to show them how much you care”, “Draw a picture for a cultural arts teacher”, etc. Some days were bigger such as “Read to a Kindergartener” or “Be kind to the environment: Playground trash pick-up”.


Even though the students didn’t get anything tangible, they always mentioned it as a favorite activity when the year was over. I think it is because simple acts of kindness and helping others makes you feel good, too! Since December can be a month of different schedules, stress, and sometimes a focus on what kids GET, this was a way to refocus on how to GIVE. It also helped build a sense of community in my classroom.



So now in my new role as teacher specialist for OIT, and with a district-wide focus on social emotional wellness, I recently was thinking about how to teach some of those same lessons in a digital format. Here are TWENTY digital activities to try:


  1. WeVideo: Students make a video on ways to show kindness!

  2. WeVideo: Students interview one another about their favorite teacher and then the video is sent to that teacher in the building. 

  3. WeVideo: Students record a talent or skill they have, the class responds with positive affirmations.

  4. WeVideo: Students create a “Ways to prevent bullying” video

  5. Google Slides: Gratitude Journal (Link)

  6. Google Slides: My Happy Place (Link)

  7. Google Slides: What Would You Do? Choices Game (Link)

  8. Wixie: Kindness Poetry (Link)

  9. Wixie: Create a Chalk Art message to show someone you care (Link)

  10. Wixie: Students design and share Virtual High- Fives to friends, family, and school personnel (Link)

  11. Wixie: Compliment Cards (Link)

  12. Lumio: Connecting literature to kindness by collaborate on the importance of being kind in characters (Link)

  13. Lumio: Create a Friendship Ad (Link)

  14. Lumio: How to Show Kindness & Care (Primary focused, Link)

  15. Lumio: Kindness Bingo Board (Link)

  16. Discovery Education: Social Emotional Learning Choice Board ( Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8)

  17. Discovery Education: Be a Bright Light (Link)

  18. Discovery Education: Sweet People are Everywhere (Link)

  19. Brightspace: Create a class compliment discussion board. Students can give compliments and shout-outs to their peers and promote a culture of friendship.

  20. Brightspace: Post a kindness challenge in announcements and ask students to reflect on it in a Brightspace text submission (Bonus: Have them use Insert Stuff➡ Video Note to record a video reflection).


I hope you decide to try one of these assignments with your class. I think it will be time well spent and help students build technology literacy at the same time. Let us know in the comments if you try one (or all) of these digital kindness lessons/ activities.



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