ThinkGive enables young people to experience the power of kindness and the value of giving — learning firsthand from their actions and their peers.
The Student Experience
ThinkGive is about self discovery and understanding the positive effects of giving of yourself — a compliment, a helping hand, appreciation, love. Teachers provide guidance and encouragement but students own their experience. They see their actions making a difference and gain agency in building kind and inclusive communities.
Curriculum
Educators introduce a giving prompt and use ThinkGive’s curriculum to guide discussions and activities. Students explore topics like empathy, perspectives, and social justice, considering who they are and who they want to be. This process helps them develop key social-emotional skills and a deeper understanding of how their actions can positively impact themselves and their communities.
Students Give
After each lesson, students decide how and to whom they will give. This empowering prosocial behavior shows them that their actions can positively impact others and create meaningful change. It builds confidence and a sense of agency, demonstrating that small actions can drive larger, positive shifts in their communities. Through this, students strengthen empathy, forge connections, and become more confident in their ability to make a difference.
Record + Reflect
Students document their actions on the ThinkGive portal (or on worksheets for offline programs), answering reflective questions that connect their choices to the broader concepts from the lesson. This reflection deepens their understanding of how their actions impact others and prompts them to examine how their behavior aligns with values like empathy, kindness, and social responsibility, fostering personal growth and a sense of purpose.
Engage + Share
Students engage with, share with, and learn from their peers on the Team Page. This collaborative component promotes digital citizenship in a secure teacher-monitored space.
Discuss + Collaborate
Through group discussions and reflection, students consolidate key learnings and share insights, deepening their understanding of the experience. This collaborative process allows them to connect with peers, enhance critical thinking, apply concepts in real-life contexts, and reinforce the lessons before moving on to the next lesson.
The Ripple Effect
ThinkGive’s impact extends beyond classrooms and out-of-school settings. Students’ positive actions inspire others in their communities, fostering a culture of compassion and belonging that spreads through peer groups and builds stronger, more connected communities.
Comfort to Courage Zone
ThinkGive is designed to gradually guide students from giving in their comfort zone to giving in their courage zone where the most valuable learning occurs. Students build a strong sense of self, make meaningful connections, and experience firsthand the power of their words and actions.
The act could be tiny. The impact huge.
“I gave blankets and a pillow to a homeless man while he was sleeping. What you do while no one is watching shows who you really are.“
“I picked up a lot of plastic bottles in the plaza at recess so we have a clean earth and the air we breathe is not polluted.“
“Today I gave my Dad the gift of saying I love you. Sometimes I just assume that he knows that I love him but it’s so important not to take for granted the words that mean the most.”
“I held the door open for a large group of people. My role in my community is to be as helpful and kind as possible. It's important to be a good citizen.“
“I gave a hug to Ms. Rodriguez. I respect her because out of everything she can do in her life, she chooses to be with us and teach us many amazing things.“
“I took a break from chores and homework and went for a long walk during sunset. It was so beautiful. It helped me feel relaxed.“
“I thanked the kind lady that drives my bus. I now make an effort to say thank you to her whenever I see her and she seems to feel appreciated when I do.“
“I talked to a boy who is very quiet and keeps to himself. I realized he's a different person once you talk to him. I made someone smile just by talking to them!“
