WE GIVE THANKS

Life certainly has changed for all of us since last spring. We can whine about, or we can be thankful and focus on what we do have. What better time to model and encourage GRATITUDE than now! 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.
As we approach Thanksgiving Day, here are some tips for nurturing gratitude in your students:

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?

Thankful Journal
Make a special journal for each child to use during the month of November. Several times a week ask them to draw, list, or write sentences about things they are grateful for.

    

                                                      
Note! To make the napkin book cut paper the size of a Thanksgiving napkin and staple at the top.

For the paper plate book, cut paper the size of the paper plate, punch holes at the top, and bind with a pipe cleaner.

The fork book can be made by folding white paper into construction paper. Punch holes on the side, and attach the fork with a rubber band.

Tell Me Something GOOD
Start the day by going around the room and asking each child to say something that they are thankful for.

Thankful Song   (Tune: “Are You Sleeping?” Children repeat each line.)
I am thankful.
I am thankful.
Every day.
Every day.
For my friends and family.
For my friends and family.
Thanks I say!
Thanks I say!
We Give Thanks (Tune: "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore")
We give thanks for food we eat
On Thanksgiving Day.
We give thanks for food we eat
On Thanksgiving Day.

We give thanks for families...
We give thanks for all our friends...
Continue singing verses for things children suggest they are thankful for.

                           

http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2007/11_Nov/1booksNov/weGiveThanks.pdf

WHAT AM I THANKFUL FOR?  I am thankful that you are reading my blog!!!