Frequently Asked Questions

• What grades can use ThinkGive?

  ThinkGive is designed for grades 4-8, with lesson plans and resources that are grade-level appropriate.

• Does ThinkGive work best in a classroom, grade, or across an entire school?

  The program is effective in individual classrooms, throughout a grade, or in consecutive grades. ThinkGive provides grade-specific lesson plans that are written to build from year to year, however, a school could choose to run the program across multiple grades or in one grade/class.

• Why do I need ThinkGive if my school already has a comprehensive social and emotional learning (SEL) program in place?

  ThinkGive enhances SEL programs like Responsive Classroom, Second Step, RULER, and Open Circle. Where these programs are essential to teaching the language around behaving and interacting with others, ThinkGive brings those ideas to life and synthesizes learning. The program provides a call to action that gives students agency, encourages them to connect with themselves and others, and generates a positive and inclusive community.

• Does ThinkGive align with any standards?

  ThinkGive lesson plans are aligned with CASEL’s Social Emotional Competencies, the Common Core Standards for ELA, and the Massachusetts ELA and Digital Literacy and Computer Science Frameworks.

• Does ThinkGive start at a certain time of year?

  Program implementation is flexible based on your needs. Most of our partner schools start programs between September and March.

• How long does the program run from start to finish?

  ThinkGive offers standard 1-month, 4-month, and 6-month programs. Importantly, however, the program is entirely flexible – we’ll work with you to build a schedule that best suits you.

• How much class time is required?

  We recommend that you teach 1 lesson per week. Programs offer between 5 and 16 lessons, depending on the grade. Each in-class lesson lasts approximately 30 minutes.

• How much time for teacher training + onboarding?

  It’s easy to get ThinkGive started in your classroom. Just two simple steps:

  1. Introductory call (20-30 minutes). Consider your goals and determine how ThinkGive might best integrate with your existing curricula.
  2. Training call (45-60 minutes). Get to know the website, access curriculum, set your schedule, and prepare to bring the program to your students.

• Who teaches ThinkGive?

  We currently work with school counselors and teachers in almost every discipline – homeroom, advisory, language arts, social studies, even math! However, the program is relevant and useful for any teacher who is passionate about social and emotional learning and wants to deepen their relationships with their students.

• Is ThinkGive only suitable in a classroom setting?

  While our program is mainly used in schools during the academic day, ThinkGive is effective in other youth-centered environments – afterschool, clubs, summer camps, etc.

• What does the program cost?

  ThinkGive offers tiered pricing based on whether you’re running a program in a classroom, in a grade (multiple classrooms), or in multiple grades. We offer a free Spotlight (5 lessons) as a trial. Contact us for pricing details.

• Does ThinkGive require the use of technology?

  ThinkGive offers the use of an online portal for the REFLECT and SHARE components of the program cycle. Each student has their own personal page behind a login and can collaborate with peers on the Team Page. If you’d prefer to be technology-free, we provide materials so that your students can REFLECT and SHARE offline.

• Is student information viewable online?

  Our student portal is password protected. To join an online team, students provide their name (first and last) and email. All names appear as the first name and last initial, and email addresses are erased from the system six months after the program ends. Only teachers and ThinkGive staff can see full names.