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10 Giving & Kindness Student Activities for The Classroom

A classroom is a place for learning however, it should also be a place that prioritises and teaches the importance of emotional wellbeing. Here are 10 ways you can create a happy and giving environment within the classroom either remotely or in person.

Start With A Simple ‘How Are You?’

This may seem super simple but just as effective. By simply asking a fellow peer or teacher how they are doing, it lets them know there is someone who cares about them and interested in their own wellbeing.

Create A Gratitude Giving Tree

This can be a collective or individual activity. Essentially, this would entail having a tree with empty branches that students would fill with leaves. On these leaves, they would have written one thing they are grateful for, it could be anything from being grateful for a sunny day to getting to school on time. This will help them reflect and express their gratitude towards the life they have.

Write Thank You Notes – Giving & Kindness Student Activities

Once a week, get your students to write a thank you note to public service workers such as school cleaners, bus drivers, nurses, doctors, etc. This is a great way to show our support and gratitude for their service during the pandemic.

Coordinate A Clothing Drive

Set up a box in the classroom to get students to bring in their unused clothes that they can donate to their local shelter. This can help other kids who may be in need of some new clothes during these difficult times. If you are not back at school, designate a drop point for clothes and do a drive by donation day.

Begin A Shared Library

One thing you can do is have a day is to ask each student to bring in one of their favourite books and trade their books with their fellow peers. This is a creative way to teach kids how to share while also getting to know what kind of books their peers are reading.

Explore Self-Appreciation

A way to promote self-love and being kind to oneself is to practice self-appreciation through a simple exercise. This can be a verbal or written activity in which students go around saying or writing down one thing they did great that day. This can be as simple as cleaning up after oneself, the point of the exercise is to allow students to focus on what they are doing well.

Learn About Other Cultures

Dedicate a portion of the day to read stories from authors of various cultural backgrounds and allowing students to share their own cultural traditions. This is an activity that helps promote cultural diversity while also allows students to get to know the culture of their peers.

Giving & Kindness Student Activities - 365give

Play Kindness Bingo

The kindness bingo is a great way to help students consider the small gives they could be doing while intertwining with the game of bingo. This is a wonderful way to keep students engaged and interested in completing the random acts of kindness to get bingo! PBS has an explanation of the game and kindness bingo cards for download, so check it out. 

Coordinate A Used Toy Drive

Another way to give back to the community could be holding a donation drive within the classroom or at a drop off point to encourage students to bring in their unused toys and donate them to a children’s shelter.

The 365give Challenge For Easy Giving & Kindness Student Activities

Another challenge you could give your students is by joining The 365give Challenge! This a wonderful way to continue creating a habit of making small gives on the daily which can help to brighten someone’s day and make yours brighter too!

These activities however are not limited to the classroom and can be done anytime! For more information and suggestions on how you can give back check out 365give and start giving as a classroom or school.

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)