TOP PICKS | 17 TOOLS

Great Picks for Building Courage

Courage is taking on problems even when there's a possibility of risk. It also involves students speaking up for what's right, even if there's opposition from their peers, and acting on their convictions. In the end, we want our students to be able to think critically and fight for justice for all. Check out these tools to help students reflect on their beliefs, practice better decision-making, face adversity head-on, and change their schools and the world.

Interested in seeing tips on how you might use some of these tools in the classroom? Check out our blog series We All Teach SEL: Inspiring Activities for Every Classroom.

Top Picks

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Anti-Defamation League

Toolkit equips teachers to tackle bias with ready-to-go resources

Bottom line: This site fuses meaningful curricular connections between challenging current events and class content, and is a helpful go-to for teaching tough issues.

Grades: Pre-K–12 Price: Free

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STOP!T

Easy-to-use reporting tool helps kids report bullying, find adult help

Bottom line: With the right context and a strong school culture, this can be a useful and effective tool for monitoring and combating bullying.

Grades: Pre-K–12 Price: Free, Paid The app for students is free, but schools and districts must pay a subscription fee to use the program on campus.

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Peekapak

Complete social-emotional learning units in a neat and tidy package

Bottom line: These 10 SEL units provide teachers with almost everything they'll need to spark positive character development in their students.

Grades: K–5 Price: Free, Paid

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7 Mindsets

Thought-provoking structured program simplifies SEL skills

Bottom line: If teachers take advantage of the extension activities, students can get great in-depth instruction and practice in SEL skills needed for life.

Grades: K–12 Price: Paid A single-use (one-classroom/one-school counselor) license is $1,000 per year. It offers the full curriculum, professional development, the parent zone, an educator support community, an implementation guide, and tech support.

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Teaching Tolerance

Thought-provoking classroom resources support diversity education

Bottom line: It's an invaluable teacher tool to help reduce prejudice and encourage tolerance in schools, as well as within society as a whole.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free

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Thrively

Cool assessment targets kids' strengths; sprawling content overwhelms

Bottom line: A great starting point for conversations about students' strengths; skip some of the digital content.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free, Paid Thrively Starter is free. Classroom Pro is $59 per year and includes additional assessments, playlists, courses, analytics, and PD. School Pro is $799 per year and adds SIS integration.

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Mindprint Learning

Expert feedback and tools designed for individual learner profiles

Bottom line: This impressive tool uses normed digital assessments to create a specific learning profile and provide authentic tools for individual learners.

Grades: 2–12 Price: Free, Paid There's select free content. Starts at $10 per student for assessments; contact for details.

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Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are

Appealing graphic novel teaches relatable tween lessons

Bottom line: A compelling read for tweens and teens looking for guidance and understanding of common social situations.

Grades: 5–8 Price: $2.99

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BeSeen

Sim does a good job helping teens avoid hurtful social media pitfalls

Bottom line: High school students need help with online behavior, and interactive sim BeSeen teaches them the do's an don'ts.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

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Character Playbook

Realistic comic book-style stories help build healthy relationships

Bottom line: A valuable series of modules to get kids thinking about how their choices help build strong character.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

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Roadtrip Nation

Outstanding site motivates kids to follow dreams, work hard

Bottom line: Incredibly inspirational, fun, and helpful guide for kids trying to figure out a sustainable, happy future.

Grades: 6–12 Price: $20-$25 per student $25 per student for the high school "Experience" curriculum, including workbook; $20 per student for the middle school "Exploration"

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