Gratitude is an emotion of expressing appreciation for what you have, rather than what you don’t have. Psychology Today reports that gratitude can be cultivated and it can increase levels of happiness when you do. Energy, optimism, and empathy are by-products of gratitude. World Gratitude Day is September 21st, so integrate these activities into your lesson plans this week.
P.S. Have I told you lately that I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU!!! Thanks for reading my blog!
Model Gratitude
Make it a habit to include things you appreciate into daily conversations.
Brainstorm
What does it mean to be thankful? Write children’s responses on the board. What are some synonyms for thankful?
Lists
Children love to make lists, so let them make a list (draw pictures or write) of all the things they are grateful for.
ABC
Can they think of something for each letter of the alphabet that they are grateful for?
Lists
Children love to make lists, so let them make a list (draw pictures or write) of all the things they are grateful for.
ABC
Can they think of something for each letter of the alphabet that they are grateful for?
Gratitude Journal
Let children make a special "gratitude journal." Encourage them to write what they are grateful for each day for a week.
Gratitude Box
Cut a hole in the top of a shoebox and decorate. Place on a shelf along with paper and pencils. Children can write things they are grateful for and place them in the box. Read the notes at the end of the day before children go home.
Grateful Greeting
Start the day by going around the room and asking each child to say something they are grateful for.
End with Something GOOD
End the day by having children say something good that happened at school that day.
Hot Potato Pass
Children sit or stand in a circle and begin passing the hot potato (ball or other small object) around. When the music stops or when the teacher blows a whistle the child holding the potato must say one thing they are grateful for.