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Grateful Heart Gardens

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Lesson Plan

Grateful Heart Gardens

Students will identify and express appreciation for positive aspects of their lives and environment, enhancing overall well-being through creative expression and journaling.

Practicing gratitude can significantly boost students' happiness, resilience, and overall mental health. This lesson provides practical tools for positive self-reflection.

Audience

2nd - 7th Grade Students

Time

45-60 minutes

Approach

Through guided discussion, creative expression, and journaling, students will explore and articulate gratitude.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Markers/Pens, Paper or Grateful Heart Journal, Art Supplies (crayons, colored pencils, markers), Gratitude Garden Activity Sheet, and Grateful Heart Gardens Slide Deck

Prep

Review Materials & Set Up

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What is Gratitude?

10 minutes

  • Begin with a warm greeting and introduce the topic of gratitude using the Grateful Heart Gardens Slide Deck (Slide 1-3).
    - Ask students: "What does it mean to be grateful?" or "When do you feel thankful?"
    - Facilitate a brief discussion, encouraging students to share their initial thoughts.
    - Explain that today, they will learn how to cultivate their own 'Grateful Heart Garden'.

Step 2

Exploring Gratitude

15 minutes

  • Continue with the Grateful Heart Gardens Slide Deck (Slide 4-6) to present examples of things to be grateful for (e.g., family, friends, nature, pets, simple joys).
    - Distribute the Grateful Heart Journal.
    - Guide students through the first few prompts in their journals, allowing time for silent reflection and writing.
    - Encourage sharing in pairs or small groups, if students feel comfortable.

Step 3

The Gratitude Garden Activity

20 minutes

  • Introduce the 'Gratitude Garden' concept using the Grateful Heart Gardens Slide Deck (Slide 7-8). Explain that each flower or plant represents something they are grateful for.
    - Distribute the Gratitude Garden Activity Sheet and art supplies.
    - Instruct students to draw or write items they are grateful for within their garden on the activity sheet. Encourage creativity and colorful expressions.
    - Circulate around the room, offering guidance and positive reinforcement.

Step 4

Share & Reflect

10 minutes

  • Ask a few volunteers to share their 'Grateful Heart Gardens' with the class, explaining what they chose to include and why (Slide 9).
    - Conclude by emphasizing that practicing gratitude regularly can make them feel happier and more positive.
    - Encourage students to continue adding to their Grateful Heart Journal at home.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Grateful Heart Gardens!

🌱 What are you thankful for today?

Welcome students and introduce the concept of the "Grateful Heart Gardens" lesson. Explain that today they will learn about gratitude and how to express it.

What is Gratitude?

  • Gratitude is feeling thankful and appreciative.
  • It's about noticing the good things in your life, big or small.
  • When we are grateful, we feel happier!

Think: When do you feel thankful?

Define gratitude in simple terms for students. Ask them for examples of what it means to be grateful.

Why is Gratitude Important?

  • Makes you feel happier.
  • Helps you appreciate what you have.
  • Can make tough days a little easier.
  • Connects you with others.

Discuss why gratitude is important. Connect it to personal well-being and happiness.

Seeds of Gratitude

  • Family & Friends
  • Pets
  • Nature (sunshine, trees, flowers)
  • A warm bed
  • Delicious food
  • Favorite books or games
  • Teachers & School

What are some 'seeds' in your life?

Provide examples of things students can be grateful for to spark their ideas. Encourage them to think broadly.

Your Grateful Heart Journal

  • This is your special place to write or draw things you are grateful for.
  • It helps you notice the good every day!

Let's start planting our gratitude!

Introduce the idea of the Grateful Heart Journal. Explain that it's a place to regularly record things they are thankful for.

Journal Time!

Take out your Grateful Heart Journal and let's try some prompts:

  1. "One person I'm thankful for is... because..."
  2. "Something I saw or heard today that made me smile was..."
  3. "A fun activity I did recently that I'm grateful for is..."

Guide students through the first few prompts in their journals. Allow quiet time for reflection and writing.

Building Your Gratitude Garden

  • Imagine your heart is a garden.
  • Every good thing you are grateful for is like a beautiful flower or a strong tree.
  • Let's grow a garden full of appreciation!

Explain the main activity: creating a Gratitude Garden. Emphasize that each drawing or word represents something they are thankful for.

Time to Create!

  1. Get your Gratitude Garden Activity Sheet and art supplies.
  2. Draw or write things you are grateful for inside your garden.
  3. Make your garden colorful and unique!

What will you plant in your garden today?

Explain the instructions for the 'Gratitude Garden Activity Sheet'. Distribute materials and allow them to start working.

Share Your Garden!

  • What did you plant in your Grateful Heart Garden?
  • How does it feel to think about all these good things?

Remember to keep cultivating your grateful heart!

Facilitate sharing. Ask students to show their gardens and talk about a few items they included. Emphasize the positive feeling.

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Journal

My Grateful Heart Journal

Today, I am grateful for...

Prompt 1: People who make me smile

One person I am thankful for is...



Because...










Prompt 2: Something I saw or heard

Something I saw or heard today that made me smile was...










Prompt 3: A fun memory

A fun activity I did recently that I am grateful for is...










Prompt 4: My favorite things

List three of your favorite things and why you are grateful for them.










Prompt 5: Looking ahead

One thing I am looking forward to this week that I am grateful for is...










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Activity

My Gratitude Garden

Imagine your heart is a garden, and every good thing you are thankful for is a beautiful flower, a strong tree, or a delicious fruit!

In the space below, draw or write all the things you are grateful for. Fill your garden with sunshine, vibrant colors, and everything that makes you feel happy and thankful!

Use your crayons, colored pencils, or markers to make your garden truly special.



















































Reflect and Share (Optional)

  • What is the most colorful plant in your garden and why are you grateful for it?



  • What is one new thing you might add to your garden tomorrow?



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Grateful Heart Gardens • Lenny Learning