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kid-grit

kid-grit's mission is to equip educators, students, and families with the knowledge and tools to build confidence, character, resilience, and self-care with offerings anchored in themes that include human and emotional intelligence, wellness, self-awareness, and mastery of learning.

Designed for elementary aged youth, discover opener activities that help children ease into programming, making space for big emotions and nurturing empathy, connection, and positive self-talk. At the end of an activity or program day, use the wind-down activities to create ample space for youth to connect, reflect, and express their true selves.

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K
12

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Activities

Fight or Flight

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

Fight or Flight

Grades 3 - 12

30 Minutes

We all react differently when stressful events occur. In this activity students reflect on how their minds and bodies react to stress. After identifying how we react, students will practice how to use breath and breathing to de-escalate stressful situations.

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Stop the Madness!

Belonging and Community, Digital Voices

Stop the Madness!

Grades 3 - 12

45 Minutes

Web-based information and content can definitely be false. It is always important to be an educated participant of information on the internet. How can we ourselves- and then our students- learn how to decipher what is true or false? In this lesson, we will ask students to do their own research about internet 'information' and how to examine it with a critical eye.

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Holistic Wellness Wheel

Belonging and Community, Whole Body, Whole Self

Holistic Wellness Wheel

Grades 3 - 12

1 Hour

Students benefit from having tools available to help them reflect on their own wellness. In this activity, students use the Holistic Wellness Wheel (HWW) to explore how dissatisfied or satisfied they are in different areas of their life.

The HWW can be used throughout the kid-grit curriculum in any way you find it valuable. Some instructors use it once a week as a check in with students.

Note: The time required to complete the activity may vary depending on the age of students and how often it is completed.

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Say Thanks!

Say Thanks!

Grades K - 2

20 Minutes

In this closing activity, students identify an act of kindness they witnessed and create a letter or picture of thanks to share with the person who was kind.

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The Secret to Successful Social Distancing

Digital Voices, Belonging and Community

The Secret to Successful Social Distancing

Grades 3 - 12

1 Hour

Our social interactions have changed as a result of COVID-19. In this activity, students will role-play to explore how they will follow social distancing guidelines in different settings. After the role-playing, students will share their thoughts and observations.


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Educating Myself for Peace of Mind

Belonging and Community, Whole Body, Whole Self

Educating Myself for Peace of Mind

Grades 3 - 12

1 Hour

When traumatic events occur, students benefit from knowing how to manage stress. In this activity students learn stress management techniques by gathering information and building knowledge about current events.

This activity is relevant for any crisis. Use it any time and replace the COVID-19 reference with existing events in your community, national news, or global happening.

Educating Myself for Peace of Mind can be complete on its own or as a starter activity for the kid-grit module. All activities in the kid-grit module have been designed to engage students in areas of personal development, social-emotional learning, character education, 21st century skill-based inquiry, and global consciousness. These activities are built to have students think critically and share perspectives — focusing on topics such as: tolerance, personal development, crisis situations, building positive communities, self-regulation, empathy, using breathing as a form of stress release. Students will be challenged to think outside the box and drive their own learning — they will learn by doing. They will take on new ways of problem solving and, in the process, create their own prescription for healthier mindsets, building resilience, and grit.


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Grotesque Germs

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

Grotesque Germs

Grades 3 - 12

2 Hours

Germs are all around us. Knowing how various germs work and how they can affect our health are important to our wellness and preventing illness. In this activity groups of students will research different types of germs. Using their research groups will present and debate the seriousness of a germ type.

This activity may take up to two days to complete since the research and discussion time may take an entire class session.

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Ruley Rules

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Ruley Rules

Grades 3 - 5

15 Minutes

In this opening activity, you will break down the students' understanding of a rule and why we have them. Understanding the value of guidelines, rules, and expectations are an important part of personal development.

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What Makes Me, Me?

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives, Whole Body, Whole Self

What Makes Me, Me?

Grades 3 - 5

10 Minutes

This activity aims for students to examine, learn, and accept that being unique is a wonderful thing. The pressure to fit in and be like everyone else often starts at an early age. In this activity, students learn how to notice when they are different and appreciate themselves for their differences and unique qualities.

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What is a Quality?

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

What is a Quality?

Grades K - 2

20 Minutes

The goal of this activity is to help students understand and identify positive qualities about themselves and others. When children recognize their strengths, they learn to value themselves and understand that they are capable of doing wonderful things. It also helps them appreciate the good qualities in others, which leads to better friendships, cooperation, and kindness. Knowing and focusing on positive qualities helps children become more aware of how to be good friends, solve problems peacefully, and treat others with respect.

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Emotional Triggers

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives, Whole Body, Whole Self

Emotional Triggers

Grades 3 - 5

15 Minutes

Through this interactive icebreaker, students will learn valuable skills in expressing, exploring, and dealing with their feelings positively and constructively. This sets the stage for a supportive and emotionally intelligent learning environment.

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Flip It

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Flip It

Grades 3 - 5

10 Minutes

In this closing activity, students think about differences intentionally as they recognize that they can change their actions, habits, and mindsets. By letting students solve their challenges, they build and fortify their resiliency skills.

Discover Activity

Fight or Flight

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

Fight or Flight

Grades 3 - 12

30 Minutes

We all react differently when stressful events occur. In this activity students reflect on how their minds and bodies react to stress. After identifying how we react, students will practice how to use breath and breathing to de-escalate stressful situations.

Discover Activity

Stop the Madness!

Belonging and Community, Digital Voices

Stop the Madness!

Grades 3 - 12

45 Minutes

Web-based information and content can definitely be false. It is always important to be an educated participant of information on the internet. How can we ourselves- and then our students- learn how to decipher what is true or false? In this lesson, we will ask students to do their own research about internet 'information' and how to examine it with a critical eye.

Discover Activity

Holistic Wellness Wheel

Belonging and Community, Whole Body, Whole Self

Holistic Wellness Wheel

Grades 3 - 12

1 Hour

Students benefit from having tools available to help them reflect on their own wellness. In this activity, students use the Holistic Wellness Wheel (HWW) to explore how dissatisfied or satisfied they are in different areas of their life.

The HWW can be used throughout the kid-grit curriculum in any way you find it valuable. Some instructors use it once a week as a check in with students.

Note: The time required to complete the activity may vary depending on the age of students and how often it is completed.

Discover Activity

Say Thanks!

Say Thanks!

Grades K - 2

20 Minutes

In this closing activity, students identify an act of kindness they witnessed and create a letter or picture of thanks to share with the person who was kind.

Discover Activity

The Secret to Successful Social Distancing

Digital Voices, Belonging and Community

The Secret to Successful Social Distancing

Grades 3 - 12

1 Hour

Our social interactions have changed as a result of COVID-19. In this activity, students will role-play to explore how they will follow social distancing guidelines in different settings. After the role-playing, students will share their thoughts and observations.


Discover Activity

Educating Myself for Peace of Mind

Belonging and Community, Whole Body, Whole Self

Educating Myself for Peace of Mind

Grades 3 - 12

1 Hour

When traumatic events occur, students benefit from knowing how to manage stress. In this activity students learn stress management techniques by gathering information and building knowledge about current events.

This activity is relevant for any crisis. Use it any time and replace the COVID-19 reference with existing events in your community, national news, or global happening.

Educating Myself for Peace of Mind can be complete on its own or as a starter activity for the kid-grit module. All activities in the kid-grit module have been designed to engage students in areas of personal development, social-emotional learning, character education, 21st century skill-based inquiry, and global consciousness. These activities are built to have students think critically and share perspectives — focusing on topics such as: tolerance, personal development, crisis situations, building positive communities, self-regulation, empathy, using breathing as a form of stress release. Students will be challenged to think outside the box and drive their own learning — they will learn by doing. They will take on new ways of problem solving and, in the process, create their own prescription for healthier mindsets, building resilience, and grit.


Discover Activity

Grotesque Germs

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

Grotesque Germs

Grades 3 - 12

2 Hours

Germs are all around us. Knowing how various germs work and how they can affect our health are important to our wellness and preventing illness. In this activity groups of students will research different types of germs. Using their research groups will present and debate the seriousness of a germ type.

This activity may take up to two days to complete since the research and discussion time may take an entire class session.

Discover Activity

Ruley Rules

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Ruley Rules

Grades 3 - 5

15 Minutes

In this opening activity, you will break down the students' understanding of a rule and why we have them. Understanding the value of guidelines, rules, and expectations are an important part of personal development.

Discover Activity

What Makes Me, Me?

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives, Whole Body, Whole Self

What Makes Me, Me?

Grades 3 - 5

10 Minutes

This activity aims for students to examine, learn, and accept that being unique is a wonderful thing. The pressure to fit in and be like everyone else often starts at an early age. In this activity, students learn how to notice when they are different and appreciate themselves for their differences and unique qualities.

Discover Activity

What is a Quality?

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

What is a Quality?

Grades K - 2

20 Minutes

The goal of this activity is to help students understand and identify positive qualities about themselves and others. When children recognize their strengths, they learn to value themselves and understand that they are capable of doing wonderful things. It also helps them appreciate the good qualities in others, which leads to better friendships, cooperation, and kindness. Knowing and focusing on positive qualities helps children become more aware of how to be good friends, solve problems peacefully, and treat others with respect.

Discover Activity

Emotional Triggers

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives, Whole Body, Whole Self

Emotional Triggers

Grades 3 - 5

15 Minutes

Through this interactive icebreaker, students will learn valuable skills in expressing, exploring, and dealing with their feelings positively and constructively. This sets the stage for a supportive and emotionally intelligent learning environment.

Discover Activity

Flip It

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Flip It

Grades 3 - 5

10 Minutes

In this closing activity, students think about differences intentionally as they recognize that they can change their actions, habits, and mindsets. By letting students solve their challenges, they build and fortify their resiliency skills.

Discover Activity

Featured in These Collections

Opening and Closing Activities for K-2

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Opening and Closing Activities for K-2

Grades K - 2

2 Hours

This playlist of opening and closing activities encourages youth to explore their big and small emotions while sharing positive thoughts about themselves and their friends. The opening activities offer simple strategies to help them feel calm and prepared for the day, gently setting the stage for a strong and centered start. Closing activities invite students to reflect on moments of kindness, connection, and courage through song, movement, gratitude, and reflection. Whether mimicking animals, writing thank-you notes, or sharing songs from home, they’ll consider what made them feel seen, strong, or calm. Each experience helps them carry something positive forward until they gather again next time!

Discover Collection

Strengthen Social and Emotional Learning with Johnny Crowder

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

12 Activities

Strengthen Social and Emotional Learning with Johnny Crowder

Grades K - 12

Like learning algebra or how to ride a bike, social and emotional learning (SEL) calls for patience, compassion, and everyday practice. That’s what brain science and experience say, and it’s at the core of this playlist. Through activities that teach mindfulness meditation, how to identify your strengths and talents, and cultivating compassion through service, you’ll find practical experiences, resources, and tips for empowering youth while helping them navigate stress and build healthy relationships.

“I often wonder how much different my life would look if I was offered support earlier. Before I was struggling, before I withdrew, before I exhibited all sorts of behavioral health issues. The power of prevention is something we can’t waste. We need to use our own hindsight into what would have helped us when we were young to set this next generation up for the success we never had.” — Johnny Crowder

Johnny Crowder is a suicide/abuse survivor, TEDx speaker, touring musician, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and the Founder & CEO of Cope Notes, a text-based mental health platform that provides daily support to youth and adults in nearly 100 countries around the world.

Discover Collection

The kid-grit Pandemic Crisis Guide: Wellness for Students, Educators, and Families

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

6 Activities

The kid-grit Pandemic Crisis Guide: Wellness for Students, Educators, and Families

Grades 3 - 12

6 Hours 15 Minutes

Welcome to kid-grit's SEL activities! Based on our partners’ request we have created a soulful guide filled with lessons, reflections, questions, and extended activities in response to the pandemic crisis that is happening around the world. We developed these activities in hope that its content will provide relief and support for our students and their families, educators, staff, and administrators.

All the activities have been designed to engage students in areas of personal development, social-emotional learning, character education, 21st-century skill-based inquiry, and global consciousness. These activities are built to have students think critically and share perspectives — focusing on topics such as tolerance, personal development, crisis situations, building positive communities, self-regulation, empathy, using breathing as a form of stress release. Students will be challenged to think outside the box and drive their own learning — they will learn by doing. Students will take on new ways of problem-solving and, in the process, create their own prescription for healthier mindsets, building resilience and grit.

You can use these activities in any order that works for your program or school environment. However, we recommend beginning with the activity, “Educating Myself for Peace of Mind,” as a starter activity to set the stage for the activities to follow.

Lastly, the following three activities are relevant for any crisis, “Educating Myself for Peace of Mind, Stop the Madness! and Fight or Flight.” Feel free to utilize them anytime and replace any COVID-19 reference to the existing event in your community, or national news or global occurrence.

NOTE: If your students are enjoying a lesson and you want to extend the time, please feel free, dive into deeper learning and enjoy!


Discover Collection

Opening and Closing Activities for Grades 3-5

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Opening and Closing Activities for Grades 3-5

Grades 3 - 5

2 Hours

This collection of opening and closing activities encourages students to explore their thoughts, feelings, and choices while building habits that support reflection and growth. Opening activities use emojis, discussion prompts, and movement to help students connect with their emotions and set a tone of respect, curiosity, and readiness for learning. Closing activities invite students to slow down, look inward, and practice calming techniques as they reflect on their experiences and explore ways to shift habits and mindsets. Together, these moments bookend the day with purpose and self-awareness!

Discover Collection

Opening and Closing Activities for K-2

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Opening and Closing Activities for K-2

Grades K - 2

2 Hours

This playlist of opening and closing activities encourages youth to explore their big and small emotions while sharing positive thoughts about themselves and their friends. The opening activities offer simple strategies to help them feel calm and prepared for the day, gently setting the stage for a strong and centered start. Closing activities invite students to reflect on moments of kindness, connection, and courage through song, movement, gratitude, and reflection. Whether mimicking animals, writing thank-you notes, or sharing songs from home, they’ll consider what made them feel seen, strong, or calm. Each experience helps them carry something positive forward until they gather again next time!

Discover Collection

Strengthen Social and Emotional Learning with Johnny Crowder

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

12 Activities

Strengthen Social and Emotional Learning with Johnny Crowder

Grades K - 12

Like learning algebra or how to ride a bike, social and emotional learning (SEL) calls for patience, compassion, and everyday practice. That’s what brain science and experience say, and it’s at the core of this playlist. Through activities that teach mindfulness meditation, how to identify your strengths and talents, and cultivating compassion through service, you’ll find practical experiences, resources, and tips for empowering youth while helping them navigate stress and build healthy relationships.

“I often wonder how much different my life would look if I was offered support earlier. Before I was struggling, before I withdrew, before I exhibited all sorts of behavioral health issues. The power of prevention is something we can’t waste. We need to use our own hindsight into what would have helped us when we were young to set this next generation up for the success we never had.” — Johnny Crowder

Johnny Crowder is a suicide/abuse survivor, TEDx speaker, touring musician, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and the Founder & CEO of Cope Notes, a text-based mental health platform that provides daily support to youth and adults in nearly 100 countries around the world.

Discover Collection

The kid-grit Pandemic Crisis Guide: Wellness for Students, Educators, and Families

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

6 Activities

The kid-grit Pandemic Crisis Guide: Wellness for Students, Educators, and Families

Grades 3 - 12

6 Hours 15 Minutes

Welcome to kid-grit's SEL activities! Based on our partners’ request we have created a soulful guide filled with lessons, reflections, questions, and extended activities in response to the pandemic crisis that is happening around the world. We developed these activities in hope that its content will provide relief and support for our students and their families, educators, staff, and administrators.

All the activities have been designed to engage students in areas of personal development, social-emotional learning, character education, 21st-century skill-based inquiry, and global consciousness. These activities are built to have students think critically and share perspectives — focusing on topics such as tolerance, personal development, crisis situations, building positive communities, self-regulation, empathy, using breathing as a form of stress release. Students will be challenged to think outside the box and drive their own learning — they will learn by doing. Students will take on new ways of problem-solving and, in the process, create their own prescription for healthier mindsets, building resilience and grit.

You can use these activities in any order that works for your program or school environment. However, we recommend beginning with the activity, “Educating Myself for Peace of Mind,” as a starter activity to set the stage for the activities to follow.

Lastly, the following three activities are relevant for any crisis, “Educating Myself for Peace of Mind, Stop the Madness! and Fight or Flight.” Feel free to utilize them anytime and replace any COVID-19 reference to the existing event in your community, or national news or global occurrence.

NOTE: If your students are enjoying a lesson and you want to extend the time, please feel free, dive into deeper learning and enjoy!


Discover Collection

Opening and Closing Activities for Grades 3-5

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Opening and Closing Activities for Grades 3-5

Grades 3 - 5

2 Hours

This collection of opening and closing activities encourages students to explore their thoughts, feelings, and choices while building habits that support reflection and growth. Opening activities use emojis, discussion prompts, and movement to help students connect with their emotions and set a tone of respect, curiosity, and readiness for learning. Closing activities invite students to slow down, look inward, and practice calming techniques as they reflect on their experiences and explore ways to shift habits and mindsets. Together, these moments bookend the day with purpose and self-awareness!

Discover Collection

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