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Gratitude Garden: Cultivating Appreciation

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Lesson Plan

Gratitude Garden

Students will be able to identify and articulate sources of gratitude in their daily lives and understand the positive impact of gratitude on well-being and relationships.

Practicing gratitude is a powerful tool for enhancing overall well-being. It helps students develop a positive outlook, reduce stress, and strengthen their connections with others, equipping them with a vital life skill.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Through journaling and collaborative activities, students will actively practice gratitude.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What is Gratitude?

5 minutes

  • Begin by presenting the 'Gratitude Garden: Cultivating Appreciation' lesson title and objectives using the Gratitude Garden Slide Deck (Slide 1-2).
    - Engage students with a brief discussion: "What does it mean to be grateful? When have you felt thankful?"

Step 2

Exploring the Benefits of Gratitude

10 minutes

  • Use the Gratitude Garden Slide Deck (Slides 3-5) to explain the benefits of practicing gratitude (e.g., improved mood, stronger relationships, reduced stress).
    - Share a quick personal anecdote or ask students to think of a time when gratitude made a difference in their feelings.

Step 3

My Gratitude Journal

15 minutes

  • Introduce My Gratitude Journal. Explain that they will use it to actively practice gratitude.
    - Guide students through the first prompt in their journals, allowing quiet time for reflection and writing.
    - Encourage them to think broadly about things big and small they are grateful for.

Step 4

Gratitude Share Activity

10 minutes

  • Transition to the Gratitude Share Activity. Explain the instructions for sharing a reflection from their journal (or a new thought) with a partner or small group.
    - Circulate and listen to student discussions, providing support and encouragement.

Step 5

Gratitude Reflection Discussion

5 minutes

  • Conclude the lesson with a whole-class Gratitude Reflection Discussion based on the provided prompts.
    - Emphasize that gratitude is a practice that can be integrated into daily life.
    - Encourage students to continue using their journals.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to the Gratitude Garden!

Cultivating Appreciation for a Happier You

Today, we will explore how being thankful can make a big difference in our lives!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of gratitude. Ask them what comes to mind when they hear the word 'gratitude.'

Our Gratitude Goals

  • Define Gratitude: Understand what it truly means to be thankful.
  • Explore Benefits: Discover how gratitude helps us.
  • Practice Gratitude: Learn simple ways to make gratitude a habit.
  • Share & Connect: Discuss our grateful moments with others.

Introduce the lesson objectives clearly. Emphasize that gratitude is a skill we can all learn and grow.

Why Gratitude Matters: Boost Your Mood!

Ever feel a little down?

  • Thinking about what you're thankful for can actually make you feel happier!
  • It helps shift your focus from what's wrong to what's right.

Start discussing the first benefit. Ask students to think about how being thankful for something small might change their mood.

Why Gratitude Matters: Stronger Connections!

Build Bridges, Not Walls

  • Showing appreciation to friends, family, and teachers strengthens your relationships.
  • It lets people know you value them, and that feels good for everyone!

Discuss how gratitude can improve relationships. Ask students if they've ever felt closer to someone after thanking them.

Why Gratitude Matters: Less Stress, More Peace!

Feeling Overwhelmed?

  • When you focus on positives, challenges can seem less daunting.
  • Gratitude helps you see the good even when things are tough, making you more resilient.

Explain how gratitude can reduce stress. Ask students if they notice they worry less when they're feeling thankful.

Your Gratitude Garden Journal

Time to Plant Some Seeds of Thanks!

  • You'll each get a My Gratitude Journal.
  • This is your special space to write down all the things, big or small, that you're grateful for today.

Introduce the journal activity. Explain that it's a personal space for their thoughts.

Share Your Harvest!

Gratitude Share Activity

  • You'll have a chance to share something from your journal (or a new grateful thought) with a partner or small group.
  • Remember to listen respectfully to others' gratitude!

Explain the sharing activity. Emphasize respectful listening and sharing.

Growing Our Gratitude Mindset

Reflection & Next Steps

  • What did we learn about gratitude today?
  • How can we keep practicing gratitude in our daily lives?
  • Remember, every day is a chance to find something to be thankful for!

Lead the concluding discussion. Reinforce that gratitude is an ongoing practice.

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Journal

My Gratitude Journal: Planting Seeds of Appreciation

Welcome to your Gratitude Journal! This is a special place for you to reflect on all the wonderful things in your life. Taking time to notice and appreciate these things can make you feel happier, more connected, and less stressed.

Today's Seeds of Gratitude

Prompt 1: Small Joys

What are three small, everyday things you are grateful for right now? These could be anything from a warm drink to a funny meme, or a sunny window.










Prompt 2: People Who Matter

Think about someone who has helped you or made you smile recently. What are you grateful to them for? How did they impact your day?










Prompt 3: A Challenge with a Twist

Think about a challenge you've faced or are currently facing. Is there anything positive you can find in it, or something you learned from it? (Even a tiny lesson counts!)










Prompt 4: Looking Ahead

What is one thing you are looking forward to this week or in the near future? What about it makes you feel grateful or excited?










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Activity

Gratitude Share Activity: Building Our Garden Together

Now that you've had some time to reflect in your My Gratitude Journal, let's share some of that positive energy!

Instructions:

  1. Find a Partner or Small Group: Work with 1-2 classmates.
  2. Choose a Seed of Gratitude: From your journal, pick one thing you wrote about that you're comfortable sharing. Or, you can think of a brand new thing you're grateful for right now!
  3. Share Your Gratitude: Take turns sharing with your partner(s). When it's your turn, explain what you're grateful for and why it's meaningful to you.
    • Example: "I'm grateful for my pet dog because he always greets me with a wagging tail when I get home, and it makes me feel loved."
  4. Listen Actively: When your partner(s) are sharing, listen carefully. Show them you're engaged by nodding or making eye contact. Avoid interrupting.
  5. No Pressure to Share Everything: Remember, your journal is personal. Only share what you feel comfortable with.

Discussion Prompts (Optional, for deeper sharing):

  • Did hearing what others are grateful for make you think of anything new you appreciate?
  • How does it feel to share something you're grateful for?
  • What was something interesting or surprising you heard from your partner(s)?













After sharing, briefly write down one new thing you felt grateful for after hearing your partner(s):







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Discussion

Gratitude Reflection Discussion: Our Growing Garden

Let's bring our thoughts and feelings about gratitude together as a class. This is a chance to share insights from your My Gratitude Journal and the Gratitude Share Activity, and to think about how we can continue to grow our gratitude mindset.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What was one surprising thing you realized you were grateful for today? (It could be something small you often overlook.)


  2. How did it feel to share your gratitude with a partner or small group? Was it easy or difficult, and why?




  3. Beyond feeling good, what other benefits of gratitude did we discuss today? (Think about relationships, stress, and mindset.)




  4. How can we make practicing gratitude a more regular part of our lives, even after this lesson? (Think about daily habits, routines, or simple actions.)





  5. Imagine our classroom as a gratitude garden. What kinds of "flowers" (feelings, actions, or changes) would we see growing if everyone regularly practiced gratitude?

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Gratitude Garden: Cultivating Appreciation • Lenny Learning