TOP PICKS | 14 TOOLS
Great Tech for Cultivating Compassion
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Four Little Corners - An interactive storybook app about friendship
Simple story about shapes showcases problem-solving and inclusion
Bottom line: This cute little story could be a nice launching pad for big discussions about friendship, tolerance, and acceptance.
Calm
Relaxing and serene app helps incorporate peace into daily life
Bottom line: If you're looking for a captivating app to teach relaxation and calming skills to students, Calm is an essential tool to add to your toolbox.
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.
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
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
The Wonderment
Ambitious global community aims for public good through student engagement
Bottom line: A powerful, improving social network for exploring the world and effecting positive change.
Grades: 1–12
Price: Free
The Social Express II
Fabulous multimedia lessons boost social-awareness skills
Bottom line: Compelling webisodes help students learn to cope with real-life situations.
Hall of Heroes
Responsive game helps students prepare for transition to middle school
Bottom line: Wonderful and fun social-interaction game designed to teach cooperation and friendship skills needed for middle school and beyond.
Grades: 5–8
Price: Free to Try, Paid Free trial for up to three students. There is a one-time license fee of $7 per student.
Never Alone: Ki Edition
Illuminating native Alaskan folktale supports SEL skills
Bottom line: A beautiful achievement developed in cooperation with indigenous folk that offers players valuable SEL skill building and a respectful window into Inupiat culture, ways of life, traditions, and stories.
Stop, Breathe & Think
Appealing app guides meditation, promotes compassion
Bottom line: An accessible, well-designed tool for making meditation an approachable daily practice for kids and adults, alike.
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
Sustainaville
Sustainable-community sim teaches students how to conserve
Bottom line: Engaging, relaxed game may give students the basics of sustainable communities and develop SEL skills.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free, Paid
Thomas Was Alone
Story-driven puzzle game teaches students to value their differences and help one another
Bottom line: This unexpectedly thoughtful and emotional puzzler could offer valuable lessons about friendship and empathy to kids experiencing trouble socializing.
Papers, Please
Mature immigration game forces tough ethical choices
Bottom line: It's a provocative simulation about ethics and immigration that could spark debate but might be tough to implement.
Grades: 9–12
Price: $9.99